When I first starting using encaustic as a medium , I began searching for something I could not find in pastel , oil or acrylic- depth and physicality .
Kim Bernard introduced me to the technique of so-called accretion painting when I took a workshop with her at the 4 th Annual Encaustic Conference .
I returned to Alaska wanting to be the accretion “ queen ” and embarked on a journey of exploration , failures and successes . What started off as a “ technique ” evolved into more of an inner journey and made me ask myself — What are you doing ? Where are you going ? This is not about , what I call the “ seduction ” of the wax- the “ siren ” , but about myself as an artist and my work which is an extension and reflection of myself . My artist statement was an actual dream- I awoke and wrote the words at 3 am .
Last night I dreamt in wax
Stilled by cooling into odd shapes formed by its flowing path , Interrupted by critical temperature . A victim of its own physicality .
As an artist , I must control the flow , the mass , and the boundaries . Timing , fusion .
My life becomes an extension of the work . My fingers , the torch .
As in nature , rules apply , However there remains the unpredictable nature of the wax . I strive to discover its secrets .
Damar and beeswax- a combination from nature . The artist seeking control .
Much as a volcano erupts , despite expert prognostication and prediction , It ' s flow arrested by nature ' s topography , I apply , pour wax onto a surface hoping for a fusion of nature and self .
Trying to set boundaries . Trying to understand the medium and become one with the process .