Materials and Technique

I use watercolor pencils to draw the pattern onto the panel before I start painting with encaustic glazes (encaustic paint diluted with encaustic medium). I work on an easel, use masking tape to get clean lines, and fuse the wax with a hot blending tool.

About An Unexpected Twist

While visiting the Courtauld Gallery in London, I became fascinated by the two sets of stairs that linked the floors above ground to the floors below. I wanted to know where they went. To follow each path. To capture the lighting, the delicate colors, the contrast between the elaborate railing of the upper stairway and the rustic simplicity of the lower.

For me, these stairways symbolize the many twists and turns of life. From light to dark and dark to light. The struggles and mysteries. Wanting to know what is just beyond, yet unable to see it.

Materials and Technique

We created whimsical characters using simple wood and paper forms, wire, paperclay, and encaustic medium. We started by building simple armatures using unfinished, porous material and wire mesh. This provided support for the paperclay sculptures. Once the paperclay was dry, we painted them with encaustic paint using stiff bristle brushes and a heatgun.

About Checkmate

Checkmate is one of the encaustic sculptures created to illustrate A Gargoyle in Paris, a children’s picture book that tells the story of Dev, short for “Tiny Little Devil,” and his gargoyle friends and how they like to spend their time enjoying life in Paris. One of Dev's favorite pastimes is playing chess with his friends.

Materials and Technique

Stone Angel was created with hundreds of layers of encaustic glaze, using relief techniques to add depth to the painting and raise elements of the design above the background plane — building her stone wings one feather at a time.

About Stone Angel

Stone Angel is based on a photo I took on the Pont des Invalides of Maritime Victory, sculpted by Georges Diebolt in 1855. For me, she represents courage. Having the courage to face your fears and follow your dreams. She’s been battered by weather and floods, yet she still remains strong. She’s flawed and grungy and worn by time, yet she is still beautiful.

Materials and Technique

I use watercolor pencils to draw the pattern onto the panel before I start painting with encaustic glazes (encaustic paint diluted with encaustic medium). I work on an easel, use small brushes to paint details, and fuse the wax with a hot blending tool.

About Running in Circles

In these challenging times, many of us are separated from our loved ones. And some of us are getting to spend more time with them than we want to. For me, Running in Circles speaks to that ambiguity about love and relationships. Something that my husband and I experienced when I lived and worked in Paris for six months in 1996.

When Gerry arrived a week ago it was like a second honeymoon, but by midweek we were both feeling a bit cramped and crowded. When he leaves I’ll miss him terribly and yet it will be nice to get my space back.

My sojourn in Paris is affecting me in unanticipated ways. I have tasted its sweet drug and am hopelessly addicted. At times I can’t imagine leaving, but I don’t know how I can stay. My life has been irrevocably changed and our marriage will also be affected by this short sojourn.

Toy Boats

Encaustic on cradled wood panel

36 x 36 x 2 inch

2017

Materials and Technique

I use watercolor pencils to draw the pattern onto the panel before I start painting with encaustic glazes (encaustic paint diluted with encaustic medium). I work on an easel, use small brushes to paint details, and fuse the wax with a hot blending tool.

About Toy Boats

In 1996, I lived and worked in Paris for six months. For me, Toy Boats captures la joie de vivre.

There is nothing more Parisian than a walk in the gardens on a Sunday afternoon. The paths are lined with the green chairs available for a few francs from the covered gazebo where they are stored. For 17 FFRs you can rent a stick propelled sailboat to sail in the pool. At the open-air café people gather to drink coffee and beer and wine.