in the course of our everyday lives, whether planned or by accident, we all hope to find special times and places that help us to slow our pace. i find this peace in the calm radiance of morning or in the early evening - the time of day when shadows lengthen and textures are emphasized. i am up before dawn every day, eager to be in my studio overlooking the vast columbia river basin. morning light is the best for capturing the drama and beauty of the rural farmland in which i work and live. in the wintertime my inspiration is the huge and powerful sky, while in summer irrigation turns desert land into rich rolling green fields, lush vineyards and orchards. the landscapes and skyscapes that surround me everyday are a constant source of inspiration and wonder. their ever changing modes – from peaceful and tranquil to dramatic and stormy – often seem to imitate life.
most images represented on this page also have large flat gilded frames.

encaustic painting
encaustic has its roots in 5th century b.c. and was originally practiced by greek artists to paint portraits and decorate marble and terra cotta architectural elements. made popular in modern times by jasper johns, encaustic is a significant medium with staying power. encaustic is a beeswax based paint that is kept molten on a heated palette. it is applied to a surface and reheated to fuse the paint into a uniform enamel-like finish.

the high durability of encaustic is due to the fact that beeswax is impervious to moisture. because of this it will not deteriorate, yellow, or darken. encaustic paintings do not have to be varnished or protected by glass.

care of your encaustic painting:
when transporting, do not leave an encaustic painting in trunk of your car on a hot day. it will melt at 150 degrees. as with any painting, avoid extreme temperatures and direct light. do not hang your encaustic painting near a fireplace or other heat source. encaustic paintings are lightly buffed to a high gloss using a soft, lint free cloth. this sheen dulls over time and can be brought back by repeating the process. be sure the surface of the painting is free of dust before buffing.

copyright © 1997-2010 all rights reserved.   all artwork © of the respective artists.