My Artistic Journey
It's About Having Fun...
My artistic journey has been varied and a bit random. As a young girl, I grew an interest in taking photos but did not consider myself as having artistic ability and never had art classes beyond early grade school. My interest in photography waxed and waned over the years but in 1999 I decided to make the switch to digital and began mastering Photoshop. But outside of photogrpahy, I never ventured into any other art forms.
Around the time I was 35, on a whim, I decided to try to draw an image I saw on a piece of junk mail of water being poured into a hand. The difference was that this time I wasn't going to tell myself "I can't." To my amazement, I did it! It was at that moment I realized I had robbed myself of a joy in life by believing I couldn't do something despite having never really tried. So began an artistic journey to discover what art forms were out there and what I enjoyed. I tried, graphite, acrylic, oil and many others until I stumbled onto encaustics. A few youtube videos later, I was in love and so began my relationship with encaustics.
In the many years since, I've learned to have artistic grace for myself. I've learned to be able to just enjoy creating while not letting the need for a positive opinion of the results be a requirement for that joy. I am free to play.
I tend to alternate between encaustics and photography. They are both joys to me, each in their own way. Encuastics forces a conversation with a piece in process. It is both an execution of the artist's vision while also requiring a response to the work's chosen direction. Landscape photography is an act of worship to me. God paints the landscape in breathtaking light and in that moment, I am allowed the honor of showing others the beautiful character of God that I see in His creation. In both cases, there is an element of capturing a beauty that it is outisde of my control and that to me is a moment of communion with the Divine.
My career has been quite varied. I graduated in 1995 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. I worked as a Software Engineer for a decade before moving into web development and graphic design. Though I am now retired, I still love programming because it nourishes my technical hunger. It is those photoshop skills learned while developing my photography that have allowed me to switch between engineering and graphic design work and was also the first hint of my interest in artistic creativity.
I'm honored by your interest and I hope you find something in my work that brings your heart joy.
Give yourself a chance, you never know where it will take you.
... this time I wasn't going to tell myself "I can't."
Painted with Fire
Encaustics is a process and labor intensive art form. The medium is made by combining melted beeswax with a special tree sap (damar resin) which acts as a hardener. The medium is then pigmented to get the desired colors. The painting is created by laying down layer after layer of this pigmented, melted medium. Each thin layer must be fused with heat before the next layer can be added or the painting will flake away. Though a heat gun can be used for fusing work, I usually use a propane torch as I feel it gives me much more control as I'm working so these paintings are literally painted with fire. But with work, the nature of the wax itself and the efforts to layer give a depth and quality quite unlike any other artistic medium. Fully intact and vibrant encaustic paintings have been found dating back to Egyptian times so a finished piece is a durable and lasting piece of art.
Art, Family and Nature
I grew up on a small farm in Tennessee. My family, living off the land, kept bees in addition to our crops and farm animals. I always loved watching my grandfather "rob the bees" as he called it. I love the connection of encaustics with nature and with the history of my family farm.
Guaranteed to Love it
As with all of my encaustic paintings, you can safely purchase to see if a piece brings what you are seeking to your space. If not, you may return the art within 30 days in original condition no questions asked. You will receive a full refund of the purchase price however shipping fees for returns are your responsibility. I take pride in my work and I want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase.
Available on Etsy
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