Holding on and letting go. Charting unfamiliar courses. Reflecting on the past and planning for the future. All of these statements could have been titles for this body of work. I chose instead: Shift. It may not ring as poetic, but it does resonate for me.  

Please let me explain.

In the last few years my business drastically changed its way of operating. Being home allowed me more time to paint but it only confirmed my growing suspicion that I had developed an adverse and unhealthy reaction to the encaustic painting process. This was a skill set that was 20 years in the making and a big part of my artistic identity.

I went to my supply kit fumbling for pity, woe, and wallowing but found my go to device: resiliency. It’s that adjustable tool that allows us to move as needed or to shift.

So, there will still be stories from my childhood, memories of my mother, images of my garden and the neighborhood pond, some deep thoughts and strong emotions that I found when I took more time to paint. The previous body of the work related to finding my voice. Learning to embrace new mediums helped find a style that was trying to be heard, too. I think I will lean in.

Sold individually for $200 each as part of the Artist Support Pledge.

Medium: Oil and cold wax

Surface: Paper mounted on wood and framed

Size: 6x9”