This is a reproduction of an original encaustic painting on panel. The piece is a blending of two styles, photographic image transfer and encaustic nature print. I love the way the layers play with each other: the hands unable to grasp the leaves and so letting them gracefully pass by. In much of my work, I attempt to capture a fragment of a memory, and this piece shows how challenging it is to capture a moment. You simply have to be in it.

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.

To create an encaustic nature print, leaves and other botanicals are pressed directly into the surface while the wax is still warm, leaving a surprisingly detailed impression. Layers of paint are built up, and the delicate veins and textures are highlighted with oil paint, creating a record of each unique plant.

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).