Frozen

It's not even Christmas and the weather has been frigid here in Chicago! Frozen in time, the winter landscape has become my most recent painting inspiration.

"Forever Green"

12"x12"

encaustic, pan pastel, oil sticks 

"Night Shadows"

24"x12"

encaustic and oil sticks

"Frozen"

11"x14" 

encaustic, oil stick, and photo transfer

Unseasonably cold weather combined with recent life events has shifted my preferred color palette. Black, white, and neutral tones are predominant, stark scenery and a depth in landscape created by textured wax layers and shadows buried deep in the winter woods, begins this journey.

"Forever Green" is the exception that incorporates a bit of color - Turkish Green Umber, Payne's Grey oil sticks, and Burnt Umber pan pastel - just enough to give a hopeful glimpse that life will return once the snow and ice melts.

Haikus written by Natsume Sōseki capture the essence of these new works:

"Over the wintry
forest, winds howl in rage
with no leaves to blow."

"Watch birth and death:
The lotus has already
Opened its flower."

There is one more painting that needs to be added to this series... I have a 30"x40" panel waiting for paint.

December

The month of December is always hectic for me, not just because of the day to day seasonal chaos, but fall class sessions end and I start planning my exhibition schedule for the 2017 outdoor festival season.

Applying to a show does not guarantee acceptance, the shows are juried and submitting a cohesive body of work requires thought and planning. The Face of Buddha series continues to grow and keeps me centered. New additions to Elemental land inspired paintings keep me grounded, literally, and will be a part of The Chicago Art Show at Navy Pier in April 2017.

I currently have work being exhibited at several locations.

Chicago Art Source Gallery
Winter Salon
a few pieces from the show

Evanston Art Center
Holiday Art Expo
The Face of Buddha, a group from the series

Available for purchase directly off of the website here are my small works in both Miniature Moments (solo show) and Holiday Small Works at Copley Society of Art

I believe an artist that is open to continual growth is always learning and changing. My work continues to take me on a journey, and I am grateful to be open to the possibilities.