Artist Statement
I am a New Jersey based Artist, and I have shown my artwork in several group exhibitions throughout New Jersey. My first Solo Art Show was held at the Atlantic Highlands Arts Council in 2016. I hold a B.A. in Commercial Art from Georgian Court University in Lakewood, NJ. I currently live and work from my studio in Manchester, NJ.
My current paintings are done using a medium called Encaustics, which means to, " heat or burn in". It is and Ancient Egypt medium combining melted beeswax, and damar resin with colored pigments. It was first used in Ancient Egypt to seal the hulls of boats. Then later, to create paintings and sculptures.
The technique I use is called Accetion, "which is the gradual accumulation of layer and layers of molten beeswax to build up texture to a sculptural form.
My paintings are created with only a brush. I dip my brush in the beeswax and wait for it to cool just a bit, then apply it to my surface in a circular or linear patterns until the wax is built up to the point that it stands several inches above the substrate. As each layer of wax is applied, it is then reheated to bind it to the previous layer, this is called fusing. The slow repetitive movements created a pattern of raised wax on the surface, that starts to grow higher and higher. It begins to acquire relief like qualities which makes it part painting, part sculpture. The gestures allowed to dry , and retraced layer after layer. The wax starts to blossom into petal shapes. The effects of the petal shapes create organic looking structures that invoke and mimic things in nature, from tree fungus, mold, mushrooms, and sea coral, which seduces the viewer in, to take a closer look.
My current paintings are done using a medium called Encaustics, which means to, " heat or burn in". It is and Ancient Egypt medium combining melted beeswax, and damar resin with colored pigments. It was first used in Ancient Egypt to seal the hulls of boats. Then later, to create paintings and sculptures.
The technique I use is called Accetion, "which is the gradual accumulation of layer and layers of molten beeswax to build up texture to a sculptural form.
My paintings are created with only a brush. I dip my brush in the beeswax and wait for it to cool just a bit, then apply it to my surface in a circular or linear patterns until the wax is built up to the point that it stands several inches above the substrate. As each layer of wax is applied, it is then reheated to bind it to the previous layer, this is called fusing. The slow repetitive movements created a pattern of raised wax on the surface, that starts to grow higher and higher. It begins to acquire relief like qualities which makes it part painting, part sculpture. The gestures allowed to dry , and retraced layer after layer. The wax starts to blossom into petal shapes. The effects of the petal shapes create organic looking structures that invoke and mimic things in nature, from tree fungus, mold, mushrooms, and sea coral, which seduces the viewer in, to take a closer look.