Finding a spiritual relationship to the natural world and capturing earth’s beauty are my inspiration. I paint to explore my connection to the universe and share it with others. There is energy to be harnessed within the delicate balance of life, death and rebirth.
I am fortunate to live in the southeast with all four distinct seasons and the ever changing landscape. Being in this environment provides me with endless ideas for paintings, from the smallest details of plants and flowers in their natural settings, to the amazing sunsets that I see while driving down the highway. My paintings begin with an image from something I have seen or captured in a photograph.
Painting with encaustics allows for endless exploration and amazing possibilities. It is a combination of painting, drawing, collage and sculpture. The mixture of beeswax, dammar resin, oil paint and heat is naturally spontaneous. Encaustic dries quickly, giving an immediate satisfaction, yet it can be reworked over and over allowing for continuous creativity. I develop texture through layers of color to create depth and translucency. This process creates a connection with the subject. I use color and abstraction to evoke a strong emotional response. Unexpected reactions happen – all with a wonderful aroma that invokes the senses.
Being self-expressed stems from the desire to take care of myself and explore my place in the world. Being creative feeds my soul. Abstraction gives me freedom. I have learned to let go of my inner critic, releasing the unexpected, welcoming it with open arms. In the end, my interpretation and self-expression reflects the energy and beauty of the earth and my own inner strength. When I paint with juicy, glorious colors, connected by shapes and organic textures, I feel truly alive.