This is an interesting piece where I was experimenting with scale and different media: the large hand, drawn on fabric; the smaller hands, cast in paperclay; and the tiny cherry stem tied in a knot and embedded in the encaustic! Putting the cherry stem in the palm of the large hand like it is offering something to the reaching smaller hands was an impulse decision. And after I did it, I began to look at this same image in a very different light.  A knot is a symbol of a commitment of some kind, of security, of a bond. What commitment is the large hand offering to the community of hands below?

Encaustic is an ancient medium, and archeologists have found encaustic artwork on wood and linen that's over 2000 years old, and in good condition. The tree resin raises the melting point of the wax, as well as making the final surface harder, shinier, and more durable. While some collectors new to encaustic have concerns regarding its fragility, the medium is actually quite strong and archival.  Encaustic, like any fine art, is best displayed out of direct sunlight and in a room that is between 50 and 100 degrees Farenheit (10 to 38 degrees Celsius).

Instructions for care and cleaning are included with the purchase of any original painting.