Statement
As a career high school art teacher, I was very conscientious about encouraging my students to explore all mediums of artistic expression and develop a wide range of skills; however, I saved encaustic painting for myself for my retirement! The concept of using fire and wax to create innovative pieces of work is exciting and gratifying. It's a natural extension of my print-making background to do layering and adding texture in my encaustic creations. Tulips are a natural expression of my Dutch heritage, and my love of the West coast landscape is a further source of inspiration. Working in encaustics in 3-D is instinctive: I am experienced in sculpture, wood-working, garden construction, and fibre-arts. My studio is my sanctuary: loud music, no time restrictions, cold cups of tea forgotten on the work surfaces, colour and imagination.
Originally from Napanee, Ontario, I have lived in Victoria since 2002. I have a strong feeling that Emily Carr parked her trailer, The Elephant, on or near the land where my house is built near the old gravel pit on Metchosin Road.
