Earth and Fire: Sage S 2

These pieces are made of 85 percent abaca fiber handmade paper. When the pieces have dried they are painted with gesso on all sides to seal the paper. The surface is then troweled with joint compound in the top 1/2 creating mostly a texture and in the bottom 1/2 a more cracked surface. While the joint compound is still wet, pieces of wood stove fired copper are embedded into the joint compound, they adhere naturally. The pieces are then sanded and the top 1/2 is copper leafed, painted with deep blue acrylic, which is then rubbed off. This technique enhances the cracks and texture it also creates a aged effect. The bottom 1/2 is painted with sage and golden colors. Over the painted surface, encaustic is used to create a deep rich and semi translucent look with the rust colored dry pigments underneath. Layers of colors and paint seem to float on top of one another. The encaustic can be buffed with a dry cloth to create a more polished look every 6 months or so. The use of handmade paper for the canvas of the piece gives an organic feel to the piece and the added benefit of keeping the work very light for hanging. This set of work would weight about 22lb. The pieces are wired and hung without a frame. Each piece is unique one of a kind and will vary slightly.