Coming back from Vermont with a dedication to my work is no small task. Artmaking is a little different when you’re not purely focused on it in the mountains of Vermont. I started my return to reality with a walk to our favorite dock for drawing with my daughter and dog. My intention is to translate what I practiced in the Vermont landscape to my home landscape
Growing up in a lake community in New Jersey was a magical experience. I was always awestruck by the lake landscape - deep blue and green waters, rolling mountains in the distance, with exciting skies that evolve in extraordinary ways throughout the day. As an adult, I planted roots in another lake community so my children could grow up in similar surroundings. Drawing together allowed me to explain how transformative my trip to Vermont was and how it encouraged me to see the landscape in a new way. By returning to the basics of contour and blind drawing, I am able to capture what the landscape feels like.
The past few weeks I have been able to carve out several hours of studio time a day. The summer is the most realistic time for me to do this, so I need to take advantage of it! I recently completed my first set of paintings since returning home - Wishing, Hoping, and Thinking.
Wishing 10” x 10” Encaustic and Collage on Wood 2023
Hoping 10” x 10” Encaustic and Collage on Wood 2023
Thinking 10” x 10” Encaustic and Collage on Wood 2023
These three paintings are meant to be shown together as one work, also known as a triptych. I often work this way. It allows me to tell a visual story, returning to my roots in bookmaking.
Wishing Hoping Thinking 31” x 10” Encaustic and Collage on Wood 2023
The NJ waters and mountains provide peace, solitude, and rejuvenation to their inhabitants. I am translating the landscape through edges and color with a focus on shapes and values. These three abstracted encaustic panels move the viewer with the water and through the trees and mountains. I hope you enjoy the journey.