Statement

Several years ago I began an exploration into mixed media and alternate art mediums and discovered encaustic painting.  It was one of the 'aha' moments of my life and I have been painting with encaustic ever since.  I utilize distressing techniques, natural decay processes, and metals to influence the surface or to provide depth to my work.  The versatility of encaustic allows me to create a wide spectrum of surfaces from heavily pigmented to translucent, smooth to rough - the combinations are endless.   Layer upon layer is constructed and then deconstructed, revealing a work of art that is an unpredictable yet purposely designed combination of accident and intent.  Each piece presents an interaction between wax, color and texture to achieve a visual, physical and emotional balanced piece.

Encaustic provides me with the perfect tension between old and new.... a contemporary work of art from an ancient process.

It's difficult for me to be governed by a particular theme or message or style in my art... combining elements (often unexpectedly) is what I find exciting.  I am influenced by what I am thinking and feeling when I walk into my studio.  Memories, current events even the weather will impact what I am working on - what I imagined the finished piece will look like on one day can go in a totally different direction the next.  What is constant though is that I am inspired by natural forms, textures, organic structures and the concept of deterioration and regeneration and how symbols connect humanity through time.  I approach creating my art as I do my life - with gratitude, joy, wonder and a great sense of humour.

In the last couple of years I have begun a conscious effort to adopt a greener, more natural, back to the earth lifestyle and as a result I am working towards creating more and more eco-friendly art.  I am beginning to use as many natural, organic and green materials as possible as well as incorporating recycled items into my mixed media pieces.  For example, my Primitive Message pieces use natural beeswax, unbleached cotton fiber and rust created from cast off iron parts, and the designs are created outside, open to the weather, which brings nature herself into the piece.

My aim is to present a quality piece of work that I hope will cause a moment of thought and enjoyment in equal measure.  Simplicity, luminosity, irregularities and imperfections presented to you as abstract forms.  I prefer working in abstract as I don't want to present a pre-defined image to the viewer.  My work holds no between-the-lines philosophies, hidden agendas or social commentaries - only the meaning you perceive in it. 

Please feel free to contact me with any comments or questions.  Thank-you for your interest and supporting original art.

Enjoy!