Thursday 1 December 2011

Encaustics & mixed media - "Decreasing Moon"

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom” ~ Victor Frankl
"Decreasing Moon" - encaustic collage on canvas (70 x 55cm)
My work I think is hardly inspired by the outside world. Despite my daily dog walks through beautiful fields or along the beach, my paintings don't seem to draw from these images. Never mind - as long as the creative juices flow!

“What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters to what lies within us.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
... and painting is one great way of becoming aware of what lies within us. It is often surprising (and sometimes even shocking) to see what emerges during the creative process. To me it seems like another form of dreaming.
"morning chill" - encaustic collage (20x15cm)




I quite like this encouraging quote from Georgia O'Keefe:
"I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life – and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do.”
What a strong woman... I can see this strength in her art which is grand, brave and strong.
My paintings are more like playful jigsaws or mosaics, I'm always trying to put little pieces together which may or may not fit.
"Tuscan Autumn" - encaustic collage on board (40x30cm)

4 comments:

Carole Reid said...

These works are very exciting and full of symbolism. I wish I could work with encaustic but it bothers my lungs too much.

Sue said...

You're right, Carole, the fumes can be a bit worrying. I always work with open windows - even on these cold days!

Martha Marshall said...

I so love your pictographs and personal symbols, and the texture and pattern combine to make a rich statement!

I love encaustics and stopped trying them because of the fumes too. But that was back when I lived in a hot humid climate. Maybe it would work for me now.

Sue said...

Thank you, Martha.
Why not giving encaustics another try if you're careful... a lot of (cold) fresh air helps!