There are so many artistic possibilities that are unique to encaustic painting. Achieving these kinds of transparent layers would be difficult, if not impossible, with any other painting medium. It’s the main reason I love encaustic painting so much. These encaustic maps have grids that are layered on top of one another. They appear to be floating almost, and are noticeably at different levels within the painting. Love it!
By the way, if you’re interested in purchasing this set, it’s listed here.
Abstract Encaustic Maps
If you read my last post (also about abstract maps) you’ll know that I love the idea of the history behind the streets and grids that maps display. How each city developed into what it is today fascinates me- the changing neighborhoods, the forgotten infrastructure, and all the hidden stories that these lines represent were constantly in my thoughts as I created these pieces.
Have any of you ever seen those shows that take you underneath the streets of a city? They show you catacombs and sewers, modern infrastructure and historic, hidden places. I love watching those shows, and I always wish that I was there with them. The idea of touring beneath the streets of some of the most historic and famous cities in the world, learning the history and imagining the lives of the people who once stood where I would be standing, is so fascinating to me.
Although these small 6×6 encaustic maps are not representative of any specific city, I imagine those hidden streets and sewers each time I see these pieces. I created them organically, drawing the lines and shaping the grids quickly without references. They really just represent possibility- how everything is created a piece at a time, and is constantly evolving. Once thriving places will decay and be forgotten over time. Maybe in the next life I’ll be able to understand the truth of what happened in so many of these places. That would truly be awesome.
