My Land/Water/Sky Encaustic series at "Art=Gift" Hygienic Holiday show

"Wading Together at Dusk"

Encaustic on panel

6" H x 8" W

Yesterday I dropped off  several of my encaustic (hot wax and oil pigment) landscapes, including the one above, at the Hygienic Gallery in New London, CT for their annual "Art = Gift" holiday show. I love to use this medium as a bridge between painting and relief sculpture, creating layers and rich textural effects. Encaustic also lends itself very well to the abstracted quality I strive for in this series.

Every year this exhibit features an eclectic mix of smaller, reasonably-priced works perfect for gift giving.  (And yes, giving to yourself counts as a "gift".)  

The show runs from November 24th through December 23rd. Check out the Hygienic's website or call for gallery hours and more info: 860-443-8001. 860  • 443 • 8001 860 • 443 • 8001 

Sunset Haze

10" x 10" oil on panel

What can I say? I enjoy looking up at the skies for inspiration.  Their subtle and not-so-subtle shapes and colors, in their vast endless space, seem to offer a key to simplify life in this complex world. Sometimes I love looking at skies more than I like looking at (this) world.  Gazing up helps me clear my head: there are no intersections, no interruptions, and no clutter.

Swirling Times

8" x 8" encaustic on panel

I feel that the world climate patterns and economic times are like a whirlwind and sometimes my state of being joins the winds of time.  With no planning, I just started this painting with my heat gun, torch and brush.   My guess is that my subconscious brain was swirling in an ocean of thoughts and feelings. 

Door of Textures

9" x 12" oil on panel

Yes, I pushed the textures in this old door of peeling paint.  It appears to have been painted at least two or three times; the visible under-layers reminded me of warm, intense red-rust spots.  The building this door is attached to is in New London, near the Thames River.  I have never seen this door being opened in all the times I've passed the spot, but I think there is a business behind it.  A part of me wishes I knew something of the building's history - but I'm content to let it have it's mystery.

Land of Textures

9" x 12" oil on panel

I am inspired by the shapes, textures, and colors of old buildings, boats, wooden objects, plastered walls, etc.  Old surfaces are rich in patinated color, and thickness of texture.  The inspiration for this painting was an old door;  I kept simplifying the shapes and details in front of me until I discovered a landscape, or perhaps a seascape, emerge in the painting.

Limitless Horizon

6" x 6" oil on panel

After painting this ocean scene of haze, mist and still water I found my painting finished in a moment of wiping out the upper part.  A momentary flick of the wrist, a swipe with an undignified rag and the deed was done, but it was exactly what this work needed.  The creation of a work of art is so mundane in the processes and yet it continues to be so mysterious in the results.