Recently, I returned to painting and chose to work with encaustics, the 3,000 year old technique of suspending pigment in bees wax and applying the molten color to canvas. I am drawn to the luminescence of the encaustic surface because of its resemblance to glass which has been my main focus and medium of choice for the last three decades. In the encaustic technique, layers of molten wax are applied and each layer is fused, or blended together, to make the final product. This "building up" of layers of media creates an illusionary three dimensional depth on the canvas and a gossamer beauty. Since I have used the element of fire to melt and bend glass and metal ever since I began my professional art career, this burning-in technique is a natural progression for me and one which I realized I wanted to follow from my first introduction to this method of painting.

Current Work
At the moment, I am allowing my artwork, my artistic passion, and the subject matter in my paintings to experience an unrestricted set of boundaries. I am exploring all the amazing possibilities for surface manipulation that is possible with this technique and the accompanying layering method. Most of the work is abstracted which allows the spirit of the work to evolve to its own natural conclusion. Some of the inspiration for the artwork makes use of the human figure, some from nature, and others from personal experience. In essence, and at this point, the paintings are painting themselves.

Insights Gallery - Anacortes, WA January 31 - March 20, 2009
"Anniversary Show 2009"
A Group Show showing our gallery artists
www.insightsgallery.com

Haydon Art Center - Lincoln, NE
"Metamorphosis: Contemporary Statements in Encaustic" March 6 - 28, 2009 www.haydonartcenter.org
Sponsored by International Encaustic Artists (IEA)  www.international-encaustic-artists.org

San Juan County Fairgrounds - Friday Harbor, WA
"Strawberry Fields for Heifer" - Memorial Day Weekend, May 23, 24 & 25
Sponsored by the Island Arts League

Bedford Gallery, Lesher Center for the Arts - Walnut Creek, CA
"Working in Wax: A National Juried Exhibition of Encaustic and Wax Art" May 3 - June 28, 2009
Juror: Eileen P. Goldberg www.bedfordgallery.org

San Juan Island Artists Studio Tour - San Juan Island, WA
19th Annual - June 6 & 7, 2009
http://www.sanjuanislandartists.com

San Juan Community Theater - Friday Harbor, WA
October, 2009 - "Alchemy with Fire" - Solo Show
Encaustic Paintings & Art Glass www.sanjuancommunitytheater.com/sjct/Info/lobby-art

Art Stock - San Juan Island, WA
October 6 & 7, 2009 - "Savour the San Juans"
Studio and Gallery Open House
www.artstocksanjuanisland.com

Insights Gallery - Anacortes, WA "Abstracts" - October, 2009 (TBA) Two person show

San Juan Community Theater - Friday Harbor, WA
Annual Exhibition of works by Island Artists - November, 2009

In the meantime, if you wish to contact me in regard to a commissions or questions about my work, I can be reached at (360) 378-6725 or emailed at woodenglass@hotmail.com .

Studio Location
San Juan Island
1296 Wold Road

Studio Hours
Open to the public: Wednesdays & Thursdays 12:00 - 5:00PM .
By appointment: Phone: 360-378-6725 or send me an email.