"Painting in the medium of encaustic is energizing: 
​the heated wax is malleable 
and the colors meld together in unexpected ways."

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I grew up in a home where art and creativity were highly revered, and throughout my life I have gravitated toward the fine arts. I am a writer and a pianist, as well as a visual artist and I often sense the overlap of these areas as I work.
 
My recent work is encaustic: fusing pigmented beeswax. Painting in this medium is energizing: the heated wax is malleable and colors meld together in unexpected, delightful ways. I work intuitively, allowing each step to unfold as the work speaks to me.
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As I work, ​I journal the thoughts that pop into my head, ideas that otherwise would lie dormant or I run to the piano to play, reconnecting emotionally to refocus my painting work. Generally, I lay down the wax in layers, alternating warm and cool colors, both transparent and opaque which results in a shimmering translucence. Often, I use the wax sculpturally: I carve intaglio images or create bas-relief using clay or silk to establish form before encasing it in wax and pigment.
 
The inherent qualities of the wax alone (aroma, versatility, organic elements) make it a wonderfully fascinating material with which to create. I use authentic beeswax from natural beehives where young bees are raised and honey is stored.  The wax is a natural byproduct of the honey gathering process. It is no coincidence that my subject matter often celebrates nature and the wonders of our Earth; I honor the interdependence of man and nature and celebrate its forms and colors in my abstractions.
 
The creative life, for me, is the key to a balanced life: it is challenging, contemplative work, full of problem solving and moments that range from heartache to pure joy. There is a mystical quality to this life because it allows me to be in tune with some source of benevolent energy much greater than myself from which I get inspiration, encouragement, and hope.

​My current objective in painting is to use the ancient art form of encaustic to produce work that has a fresh, contemporary perspective and palette. May it bring the hope and joy I experience while painting it!