Hexameter , encaustic , rust print , oil pastel on panel , 14 x 18 inches , 2013
Much of my more recent work involves rust prints — embedding them in the encaustic with drawings , rusty hardware , and other found objects . I am drawn to rust simply by the magic of transferring the color from an object to paper and the beauty of the color and pattern . Some pieces are more intuitive and free-flowing . In others , I return to a more formal organization that harkens back to my training in architectural illustration .
Making a rust print is a simple process . I take a piece of rusty metal and a piece of paper — my favorite is Rives BFK printing paper , but I also experiment with other types — dampen both with a solution of equal parts vinegar and water , add weights to keep the paper in contact with the metal , and within a couple of days the rust is transferred . Even from the same metal plate , no two patterns are ever quite the same . Sometimes I sprinkle a little salt on the metal to help the oxidation process along .