Paleolithic art
I am fascinated by ancient petroglyphs found throughout the world and am especially interested in the images found in the ancient paleolithic caves of Lascaux and Chauvet. They are the oldest pieces of art in the world dating back 25,000 years or more.
This series has continually evolved. I began by working on flat paper. Then decided to try simulating rocks by using torn paper. It wasn’t long before I went on to use cartonnage (an Egyptian paper & glue combo which can be molded like clay) to create 3-D shaped of rocks. In the last cartonnage piece, “Chauvet Cave Lions” I added sand to the encaustic overlay.
Chauvet and Lascaux
These personal reflections are rendered in encaustic on modern cartonage - a rock like paper pulp creation I developed based on theories of what the Ancient Egyptian may have used.
For this image I molded the body of the horse.
“Cave Lions” has the addition of sand which makes the surface very rock-like in texture.
Making a 3-D painting surafce
The surface is paper pulp and glue which has been molded into a rock-like form. The combination of pulp and glue is derived from the Ancient Egyptian process of making cartonage which can be sculpted and molded like clay.
High quality paper is torn into 1 inch squares and run through a blender to turn it into pulp. Poured into a plastic basket, the water is drained off. The pulp is transferred to a mixing bowl and white glue is added to make a clay-like material.
Cut wire window screen overly large for the frame. It will be loosely stapled and then formed into a shape to receive the cartonage.
Books
The resurrection of a painting process. (Soon to be published)