CARNIVAL Painting

Before studying for my degree my work was mainly in life drawing and portrait painting. I am now sculpturing in clay, painting in encaustics, and experimenting with the use of encaustics with other materials. Encaustic art is a method of painting using wax, melding and fusing layers of a medium made from beeswax, damar resin and pigment, on a surface of canvas, wood or ceramics. The sinuous lines, depth and glossy, reactive finish give distinctive qualities. I am exploring the effectiveness and potential of encaustics in my art, examining whether a technique with ancient origins can produce art relevant to the 21st century. My work is about me and my memories, and I don’t intentionally look for new subjects for my work. My inspiration comes from exploring art disciplines and materials, and I try to avoid preconceived ideas about how I will use the new materials and techniques, as my direction is largely influenced by the qualities of materials.