Artist's Statement
Whimsical paintings created with both abstract and figurative imagery combines in a unique way in my work. Abstract backgrounds surround more figurative elements of figures, game pieces, fireworks, and noisemakers. Oil painting and encaustic (melted wax) painting techniques are used. Encaustic painting technique uses melted beeswax with pigment and damar varnish. Heat is used to fuse the wax layers together. Large-scale oil paintings, encaustic paintings, and installation pieces continue the ideas generated in part by photographs that I have taken, only on a larger scale. Objects such as beads, fireworks, and bits of glass add a collage element to some pieces. A nostalgic feel with a present day kick gives my paintings an unusual and different visual combination.
