encaustic on panel

I work in pastels, en plein air; capturing views and the atmosphere and the space that surrounds me. My painting experiences may or may not result in completed works, but always provide me with a study, an underpainting, a memory that influence my encaustics. I work from and over my pastel paintings with encaustics enjoying the spontaneity and challenge of working with hot wax and pigment. Molten wax and pigment force me to simplify and work abstractly, starting with broad, quick strokes. Each layer of wax is melted and joined to the layer below with heat guns and torches. At this point, the nature of the encaustic takes over, I look forward to the movement and fluidness that occurs; I am painting with fire. Each encaustic painting is a sealed image of a landscape I stood.