Dune Grass

This work is my most recent project and was created utilizing the practice of encaustic composite fine art photography. The art of encaustic painting dates to ancient times. Encaustic consists of natural bees’ wax and damar resin (crystallized tree sap) using heat to fuse multiple layers of wax. Using these encaustic techniques and its detailed process, I create a one-of-a-kind piece of art, combining my original photography of grasses from my beach with the interesting textures and natural luminosity of wax. I also use oil paints and mount the pieces on thick live edge slabs harvested from local woods. This collection grew out of an article I wrote for the PNW magazine on how our community saved our local beach from coastal erosion. The dune grass depicted is a sign that the beach is now healthy. Our beach was once considered one of the fastest eroding beaches in the world. This collection was chosen by the Creative Quarterly magazine to be featured in the 2021 100 Best Annual publication and gallery show. Dune Grass 8 was purchased by the Seattle Office of Arts and Culture for their permanent collection.