MARKING THE CONTINENT
Mark-making has been a central element in my art since the beginning . My first memory of using marks happened when I was ten . My family and I were living in Yokohama and there was a young Japanese woman artist who painted kokeshi dolls in a person ’ s likeness . She also made greeting cards and one day I bought one with my allowance of 100 yen and brought it home . Inside she had washes of watercolor that I embellished with pencil and charcoal . I knew at that moment I was on to something .
The characteristics of encaustic lends itself to making marks . I exploit the sculptural qualities of the medium using ceramic tools , oil paint , ink , string , leaves , rocks , pencils , pens , rope , forks and other kitchen utensils .
First print made at Paula Roland ’ s studio . Transgression encaustic monotype on Masa , 14 x 12 inches . Artist Collection . © 2010
New World encaustic monotype on Masa paper 16 x 16 inches . Private Collection . © 2012
Reaching the Living encaustic monotype on Masa paper , 16 x 16 inches . Private Collection . © 2012
These marks are reminiscent of Japanese calligraphy and are executed in a performancelike style . Layer upon layer of wax and pigment are built up , then torn down . Similar to Jackson Pollack stepping into his drip paintings , my intuitive action while painting provides a freedom of expression that changes the work minute by minute .