Susan Wallis
— Susan Wallis —
Susan fell in love with the ancient medium of encaustic painting in 2002. Previously an acrylic painter she was very unhappy with the flatness of the acrylic medium. She loved the depth and colour of oil, but found the messiness and long drying time cumbersome. The encaustic medium became the perfect solution to her creative dilemma. Wax and oil mixed together provide her with the vibrancy of colour inherent of oil, unbelievable texture, combined with the quickness of drying that suits her impatient temperament. Once the wax cools, the medium is dry to touch within seconds.
Currently her muse is the Canadian landscape. The vast fields, forests and lakescapes of Canada provide endless inspiration. Although traditional in subject manner her approach is that of simplicity. "I believe strongly that a painting should depict the act of seeing, not merely the object seen" states Susan.
Her craving for beauty, according to Susan a vital function for the human soul, takes her on a journey of seeing. A journey that alerts her eye and humbles her hand. Since the medium of encaustic painting restricts the artist to the studio due to electrical requirements, traditional 'plein air' painting is not possible. This leads Susan to often paint from memory or from quick sketches. Critical to her work is her acute visual memory for colour and their combinations. The sun’s golden reflection on the lakes’ surface or the luminescent yellow of a harvest filed is imprinted in her memory. And it is from this visual memory bank that she pulls for her work.
