past collections
florals
In my effort to ‘loosen up’ my painting style, I think I painted this piece at least eight times. Turns out, it is hard for me to relax.
credit to: Rose Hewartson, “Expressive Abstract Florals”
Oil Pastels and Encaustic. 6x6 with solid wood floater frame.
Does anyone else really understand how and when to prune their hydrangeas? Me neither.
Encaustic. 6x6 with solid wood floater frame. Sold as a triptych.
In Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” Ophelia uses flowers to highlight the flaws of the royal court and to express her complex personality and desires, which become distorted by societal expectations. Each flower she mentions carries its own meaning: rosemary symbolizes remembrance, pansies represent thoughts, fennel indicates flattery, columbines signify foolishness, rue stands for regret, and daisies embody innocence.
Her use of flower symbolism also connects to the play's themes surrounding women’s issues. Ophelia descends into madness as she struggles to fit into a male-dominated world. When she drowns, she is discovered among flowers, symbolizing everything she was and everything she could have become. Through Ophelia, Shakespeare addresses a timeless issue once again.
Encaustic Wax on Birch Board, 6 x 6, with solid wood floater frame.
Canoeing is not my favorite thing. In fact, it is one of my least favorite things. As much as I love being on the water, I just don't like the canoe.
But the kayak is different. Maybe it is the lightweight and colorful shape? Maybe it is the seating? I don't know. What I do know is that there is something magical about kayaking in the late afternoon along the shoreline. The crickets singing, the birds fishing for dinner, the marsh grasses swishing, the absolute quiet.....total relaxation.
Encaustic Wax on Cradled Birch Board, 6 x 6.
Last summer, my children wanted to plant a butterfly garden. We drove out to Kingsdene Nursery in Monkton and picked out native flowers and plants that would attract butterflies to our yard.
I also wanted a little herb garden near the kitchen, so I picked out basil, parsley, rosemary and fennel.
We attracted a couple of butterflies here and there with the new flower garden.
But what we REALLY attracted were caterpillars. Before they transform into butterflies, monarch caterpillers love to eat fennel! They methodically went up and down the fennel stalks, cleaning off every single strand of the herb. We checked on those caterpillars several times a day. It was fascinating to watch their little mouths move as they ate. We (me) were devastated when the fennel was all gone and the caterpillars left.
A few weeks later, two monarch butterflies flew over and around us while we were on our patio. Our friends had returned to say hello!
Encaustic Wax on Birch Board, 6 x 6.
I think we all do it. I think we all look back on our lives and describe an idyllic time in the past that is remembered as better than today.
Halcyon Days.
I'm trying to bring that feeling to this moment. Stop the worrying. Stop turning little things into big things. Be present.
Time is not a renewable resource.
Encaustic Wax on Cradled Birch Board, 6 x 6.
Magnolia trees have existed for millions of years and thrive in environments all over the world. Because of their long history, they've gathered many spiritual and cultural meanings over the years. Magnolia blossoms commonly represent innocence, dignity, femininity, and determination. According to tree spirit wisdom, Magnolias are considered to be the ancient "mother" of all flowering plants on earth. When we look at them, they remind us of all of the "Great Mothers" within our lives and throughout time. Their wisdom resides within all of us, connecting us to the mothering intelligence of the universe and the essence of creation. The endurance and strength of the magnolia trees have also made them a symbol of everlasting connections. How beautiful.
Encaustic Wax on Birch Board, 6 x 6, with solid wood floater frame.
Inspired by the work of Mary Oliver's 'Don't Hesitate'
If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,
don't hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty
of lives and whole towns destroyed or about
to be. We are not wise, and not very often
kind. And much can never be redeemed.
Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this
is its way of fighting back, that sometimes
something happens better than all the riches
or power in the world. It could be anything,
but very likely you notice it in the instant
when love begins. Anyway, that's often the case.
Anyway, whatever it is, don't be afraid
of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb. -- Mary Oliver.
Encaustic Wax on Cradled Birch Board, 6 x 6.
My grandmother’s entire house was an expression of the things she loved. Photos of all six of her children through the years, courtroom sketches of my grandfather who served as a judge, a bathroom wallpapered in sheet music, 100 Santa figurines at the holidays, and absolutely exquisite artwork.
When she proudly framed and displayed one of my childhood paint-by-number pieces in her house, I knew that my creativity was included in her love.
This painting, Nana’s Flowers, is created from memory of one of my most favorite pieces of her collection.
Encaustic Wax, India Inks, Oils with Beeswax on 6”x6” cradled Birch Board panel.
Summer always means live music. And when I think of live music, the Grateful Dead is at the top of my list. Let there be songs to fill the air!
Lucky enough to see them live a couple of times before Jerry's passing, it is always summertime where I find myself listening to the music play.
Encaustic Wax on Cradled Birch Board, 6 x 6.
Each day, as I drive to and from my kids' elementary school, I see a magnificent tree that showcases the true essence of fall. One side presents a breathtaking stained glass mosaic of oranges, ambers, yellows, and greens, beautifully lit by the sunlight. From the other angle, the tree bursts with vibrant red hues, radiating warmth and life, making it seem like it’s glowing with energy. It never fails to uplift my spirit!
Encaustic. 6x6 with solid wood floater frame.
All of my friends' parents, including my own, had framed vintage botanical prints hanging in their dining rooms. To me, it seemed like acquiring this type of art was a rite of passage—a sign of maturity and sophistication, indicating that you were ready to entertain and host dinner parties. Imagine my excitement when I found a poster of vintage botanical drawings and was able to hang it up in my first off-campus house in college. And entertain, we did!
Encaustic Wax on Birch Board, 6 x 6, with solid wood floater frame.
Dear Chesapeake Bay,
I love you all year round. From your springtime blooms, your hot, humid and buggy summers, to your crisp fall colors. But there is no place quite like you in Winter. Bring me the shorter days, the low tides, and the blistery cold weather. Your shoreline provides the perfect spot for waterfowl to winter and nibble on submerged aquatic vegetation, small shellfish, and left-over grain in farm fields.
I can always picture myself in a cozy, picturesque private cottage sipping on a glass of wine in front of the warm fireplace, watching snow falling outside blanketing the shoreline.. all I want for Christmas is a house on the Eastern Shore.
Love,
Elizabeth
Encaustic Wax on Cradled Birch Board, 6 x 6.
Our new house has an apple blossom tree that blooms in the Spring, of course. The whole tree turns a light pink, while each flower reveals its own dainty construction. When the wind blows and the petals fall, it looks like a beautiful light pink snow has covered the yard. I look forward to it every year.
But sometimes... she blooms in Autumn. She beats to the march of her own drummer. I can respect that.
Encaustic Wax on Cradled Birch Board, 6 x 6.
In the enchanting language of flowers, the Black-eyed Susan beautifully symbolizes encouragement, motivation, and justice. Writing this love letter to my childhood in Maryland, I see it as a keeper of magic, representing a world where love flourishes, secret friends abound, and the wonders of imagination bloom. This year, my daughter and I joyfully planted around 100 Black-eyed Susan seeds in her secret garden. I can’t wait to see the vibrant beauty and cherished memories they will bring to life!
Encaustic Wax on Birch Board, 6 x 6, with solid wood floater frame.
I fell in love with the Oregon while studying architecture in grad school. The state's rolling green hills, abundent waterfalls, lush forests, and dramatic coastline had awakened my soul and connected me to nature in a way I had never experienced. After graduating, I accepted my first 'real' job at a small architecture firm in Bend, Oregon. Where? What?
Bend is located in Central Oregon - the dusty flipside to the lush rainforests of the Willamette Valley. Starting at the eastern edge of the Cascade Mountains, and stretching out towards Idaho and Nevada, the high desert region is a playground for hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers and rock climbers. Despite all of this, at first, I thought I had made a tiny huge mistake. Everywhere I looked, the landscape seemed to be brown. And dry. And craggy. Did I mention the dust?!? This just wasn't for me.
However, after a few months I started to see more than the muted browns. The high desert is punctuated with color, such as the bright yellow sagebrush buds, the springtime wildflowers, the crimson river canyons, the obsidian black lava flows, the dark green juniper trees, and crystal clear waterways. I found beauty in the landscape, developed lifelong friendships, and made Bend my home...... until Maryland called me back.
Encaustic Wax on Cradled Birch Board, 6 x 6.
Peonies are among my favorite flowers. They have the fragrance of spring and are known for their resilience and vibrant colors, making them synonymous with beauty and elegance. The intricate layers of petals create a stunning visual, symbolizing grace and refinement. Coral peonies are particularly unique, as they can change color as they bloom!
Artists often use peonies to represent the unfolding beauty of life, even amidst its inevitable challenges. One of these days, I will have the peony garden of my dreams.
Encaustic Wax on Birch Board, 6 x 6, with solid wood floater frame.
The most desired place to vacation in the Mid-Atlantic is at the beach. To name a few beach towns in the area, we've got Ocean City, Fenwick, South Bethany, Bethany Beach, Rehoboth, and Lewes. And the most popular place at the beach is to rent a house right on the beach. Aka Oceanfront. Aka premium rental fees.
However, each of these beach towns has a secret. It is called the Bay Side.
The Bay Side is magical.
Beautiful scenery, wildlife, epic sunsets, and quiet.
Lower rental fees don't hurt either.
Encaustic Wax on Cradled Birch Board, 6 x 6.
I always find myself drawn towards a bouquet of peach roses. Somewhere between pink and orange, the sunset color of a peach rose holds a delicate mystery. Peach flowers signify a warm feeling of friendship and caring and gratitude.
I am always grateful for fresh flowers (nudge nudge to my husband).
Encaustic Wax on Cradled Birch Board, 6 x 6.
