For me, this piece captures the way daydreaming opens up new worlds inside of us . . . and the inside can become bigger than the outside.

This is a reproduction of an original encaustic painting on panel that incorporates image transfer, collage, and encaustic painting. An image transfer is created when I make a toner or pigment ink reproduction of one of my original photographs and transfer the toner from the copy directly into the slightly warm wax using pressure. Here, a snapshot of a friend taken almost 30 years ago is utterly transformed.

So, what's encaustic? 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. Part of why I love encaustic is the incredible depth I can achieve and the soft, luminous quality it gives the work.  Occasionally, this depth and softness will translate as a soft focus, or slightly blurred, effect in a reproduction, emphasizing the dreamy quality of the painting.