Sharon is a Riverina-based artist who specialises in the medium of encaustic.
Unlike traditional painting from wet to dry, the encaustic technique is hot to cold. Encaustic, from the Greek word enkaustikos meaning ‘to burn in or fuse’, is an obscure process where fire is used to melt layers of wax and mixed pigment to create images.
The process ensures that the artwork will stand the test of time without fading once the medium is cured, making encaustic pieces a great investment.
Sharon’s textural works are influenced by the Australian landscape and its flora and fauna.
The ode to nature continues not just thematically but also in the construction of her pieces.
She handcrafts her panels and frames of birch and meranti and creates her own colours with dry pigments, lending itself to her philosophy that “every part of this labour intensive, time consuming, extraordinary process, is part of the artwork itself”.
The wax sourced locally is a creamy, honey-yellow hue from the citrus and natives in the 2km area where the bees pollinate.
The cradle board edges of the works are treated with a traditional Japanese method of wood preservation called Yakisugi. By charring the surface of the wood without combusting the whole piece, the wood becomes water-proof through carbonization.
Sharon says her ultimate goal is to have a sustainable arts practice that promotes this fantastic medium of encaustic.
“I also want to produce art that the buyer not only loves but really feels connected to because of the story behind it, because of the bees that made the wax, because of the tree that grew the resin, and because they know the process it took to create their unique art piece,” she said.
‘Fused’ opens at Corowa Art Space on Friday, October 11 and ends on November 17. Entry is free and opening times are Wednesday to Friday, 10am – 4pm and on weekends, 10am – 2pm.
Urana Progress Association will also be hosting an open night at 6.00pm on Thursday, October 17 at the Urana’s historic courthouse museum for the Urana Art Show.
Over 100 vibrant artworks from the region’s talented artists will be on display at the annual art show from October 17-22. Celebrate the show’s 25th anniversary! Tickets are $25 and will be available at the door and include refreshments.
