Awards & Prizes
2018 - Northern Beaches Art Prize - Finalist
2017 - Art Est WOOF art prize - Finalist
2016 - Oakhill Art Prize - Finalist St Cloche Gallery Little Things - Finalist
2012 - Hornsby Art Prize - Finalist Encaustic Series
The Horizon Series of Encaustic works is a contemplation of the intriguing and soothing effect of gazing into the distance. In this series I have chosen to express visually that feeling of wonderment and release you get whilst gazing out at the ocean horizon. I am intrigued by how the colours and texture of the ocean are influenced by the colours and light in the sky.
Encaustic medium is beeswax melted with damar resin crystals. The damar resin raises the melting point of the beeswax and also adds lustre and durability. I add white pigment to the medium and lay many layers onto board, fusing with a blowtorch between each layer. This becomes my platform which I then add my colour to. Using my hands, I rub in dry pigments over many layers and fuse with the blowtorch between each layer. I begin with an idea of how I want the piece to look, but many times, as the beeswax can be so unpredictable, it takes on a life of its own. It is a very messy process, I have to wear a mask to protect my lungs from the fine dust, and by the end of the day I’m usually covered in blue!
Encaustic lends itself beautifully to images of water because the natural element of beeswax reflects the natural texture and translucency of water. When laying the white encaustic platform for my colour, I can choose to scrape back any natural bumps that occur with the many layers, which will leave a very flat surface which emulates a calm sea or sky. Or, I can deliberately leave these bumps, to echo the waves and movement that happens in less calm waters. Also, the unpredictability of how the wax responds each time I fuze the colour on the surface, reflects the unpredictability of the ocean and skies.
2018 - Northern Beaches Art Prize - Finalist
2017 - Art Est WOOF art prize - Finalist
2016 - Oakhill Art Prize - Finalist St Cloche Gallery Little Things - Finalist
2012 - Hornsby Art Prize - Finalist Encaustic Series
The Horizon Series of Encaustic works is a contemplation of the intriguing and soothing effect of gazing into the distance. In this series I have chosen to express visually that feeling of wonderment and release you get whilst gazing out at the ocean horizon. I am intrigued by how the colours and texture of the ocean are influenced by the colours and light in the sky.
Encaustic medium is beeswax melted with damar resin crystals. The damar resin raises the melting point of the beeswax and also adds lustre and durability. I add white pigment to the medium and lay many layers onto board, fusing with a blowtorch between each layer. This becomes my platform which I then add my colour to. Using my hands, I rub in dry pigments over many layers and fuse with the blowtorch between each layer. I begin with an idea of how I want the piece to look, but many times, as the beeswax can be so unpredictable, it takes on a life of its own. It is a very messy process, I have to wear a mask to protect my lungs from the fine dust, and by the end of the day I’m usually covered in blue!
Encaustic lends itself beautifully to images of water because the natural element of beeswax reflects the natural texture and translucency of water. When laying the white encaustic platform for my colour, I can choose to scrape back any natural bumps that occur with the many layers, which will leave a very flat surface which emulates a calm sea or sky. Or, I can deliberately leave these bumps, to echo the waves and movement that happens in less calm waters. Also, the unpredictability of how the wax responds each time I fuze the colour on the surface, reflects the unpredictability of the ocean and skies.