about me.
My artwork is a healing journey. A love of nature, animals and whimsical elements inspire my artwork. Images recall childhood, emotion and moments my journey. I want the viewer to initially be captured by the image and, as they approach, details are revealed like tiny surprises … creating a feeling of joy and a lightness of heart.
I live in my home town of Nashville, Tennessee. I am a graphic designer professionally, which can be quite technical. In contrast, my artwork is tactile and alive with energy and emotion. Both professions combined together create a wonderful marriage for creation.
Encaustic is a Greek word meaning “to heat or burn in” (enkaustikos).
Encaustic painting, also known as hot wax painting, uses heated wax medium (beeswax and resin) to which colored pigments have been added. The medium is painted onto a rigid surface, such as a wood cradle board or panel. Each painted layer is reheated with a heat gun or torch to fuse the layers.
Encaustic is an additive and subtractive process and lends itself to mixed media elements. Layers of medium can be added and then scraped away creating beautiful transparency. I use metal letter punches to add text and titles to my works, as well as, pan pastels, stencils to add texture and depth.