Skins and Vessels
The Chinese Wu Xing system lists wood, fire, earth, metal and water as the five elements. This explains the nature and complexity of all matter in terms of simpler substances. My work touches on all the elements as I seek to translate, disclose, disseminate and observe the current social construct.
I utilize the unexpected in ways to stimulate experimentation, allowing new and multiple meanings. I’m a fan of Joseph Beuys and duplicate his care in selecting raw materials, primarily from the natural world. Through these salvaged and upcycled materials, I developed unique techniques over time. For example: In a search to represent skin, I concocted a bath to stain silk organza and a variety of papers. It includes odd rusted objects and tea combined with salt and an encaustic process. The passage of time… and accumulating objects over time are manipulated, exposing the seen and not seen.
At age fifteen, secrets were my constant companions when family conditions placed me and my four siblings in a tough and unsafe housing project in the east side of Cleveland. My time in the projects influenced thoughts about the less fortunate and the secrets we hide. Then as now layers and hidden meanings in layers have influenced my work.
Choices of labels and perceptions are a continuation of my journey that asks what are the layers that lie upon and below the surface. And how does the surface inform these layers? If one word could define the journey, it is “secrets.” Secrets are hidden below the surface and inside vessels. Skin is the exterior layer of humanity, a fragile boundary between what exists to the outside and what hides away.
The questions asked, but not answered, are: Are we totally defined by labels? And if so, what is the impact and which are real?”
Save as PDF
Rust, tea, embroidery thread, cheesecloth, encaustic, and color pencil
on paper on modeling paste on wood panel, rusted steel, plexiglass, lag screws. 30 x 30 x 2 inches
Rust, tea, embroidery thread, cheesecloth, encaustic, and color pencil
on paper on modeling paste on wood panel, rusted steel, plexiglass, lag screws. 30 x 30 x 2 inches
Rust, tea, embroidery thread, cheesecloth, encaustic, and color pencil
on paper on modeling paste on wood panel, rusted steel, plexiglass, lag screws. 30 x 30 x 2 inches
Rust, tea, embroidery thread, cheesecloth, encaustic, and color pencil
on paper on modeling paste on wood panel, rusted steel, plexiglass, lag screws. 30 x 30 x 2 inches
Encaustic, rust, tea, string, thread, cheesecloth, cotton organza, on paper, modeling paste, rusted steel, plexiglass
Encaustic, rust, tea, string, thread, cheesecloth, cotton organza, on paper, modeling paste, rusted steel, plexiglass
Encaustic, rust, tea, string, thread, cheesecloth, on paper, modeling paste, rusted steel
Encaustic, rust, tea, string, thread, cheesecloth, on paper, modeling paste, rusted steel
Encaustic, rust, tea, string, thread, cheesecloth, on paper, modeling paste, rusted steel
Encaustic, rust, tea, string, thread, cheesecloth, on paper, modeling paste, rusted steel
Encaustic, rust, tea, string, thread, silk organza, on paper, modeling paste, rusted steel
Encaustic, rust, tea, string, thread, silk organza, on paper, modeling paste, rusted steel
Rusted steel frame, modeling paste on panel in shadow box frame, paper, rust, tea, string, thread, rice paper, cheesecloth, yarn
Rusted steel frame, modeling paste on panel in shadow box frame, paper, rust, tea, string, thread cotton organza, yarn, rice paper
Rusted steel frame, modeling paste on panel in shadow box frame, paper, rust, tea, string, thread, silk organza, cheesecloth, yarn
Cotton organza, encaustic, rust, tea, thread, yarn, paper, dry pigment, charcoal, graphite, color pencil, modeling paste on canvas on panel
Cotton organza, encaustic, rust, tea, thread, yarn, paper, dry pigment, charcoal, graphite, color pencil, modeling paste on canvas on panel
Cotton organza, encaustic, rust, tea, thread, yarn, paper, dry pigment, charcoal, graphite, color pencil, modeling paste on canvas on panel
Encasutic, rust, tea, and thread on paper, rusted steel frame
Encasutic, rust, tea, and thread on paper, rusted steel frame
Encasutic, rust, tea, and thread on paper, rusted steel frame
Encasutic, rust, tea, and thread on paper, rusted steel frame
Rust, tea and encaustic on paper
Rust, tea on paper, rusted steel frame
Rust, tea, string, on paper, rusted steel frame
Rust, tea, string, on paper, rusted steel frame
Encasutic, rust, tea, and thread on paper, rusted steel frame
Rust, tea, string, on paper, rusted steel frame
rust, tea, and encaustic on paper and on canvas stitched into wood frame.
Rusted steel frame, Rust, tea, string, thread, and encaustic on paper
Rusted steel frame, Rust, tea and color pencil string, thread, and encaustic on paper
Encaustic, hair, rust, tea, thread, on paper on canvas stitched into wood
Save as PDF