Here are some new encaustic paintings I’ve just completed. The natural world around me often provides inspiration for subject matter.

The Blue Jay is a very common visitor at our feeder. We often see flocks of them arrive all at once, screeching at each other and vying for the best spot. They are often here around the year.

The Belted Kingfishers arrive in the springtime and leave in the autumn. It’s exciting to watch them swoop and dive for their prey: fish or crayfish. They look very top-heavy, but are acrobatic and swift in their flight.

Fusing the encaustic paint often causes unexpected paint flow… so although this bird does have a large bill, it’s not quite as long as it appears here on the female (with the chestnut belly band)!

The other day, while walking back from the marsh, we saw a huge Cecropia moth apparently resting on the side of the road. As I got closer, I noticed a tear in one wing, so perhaps something had snapped at it already.

At that point, I heard a car coming so stepped away from the moth to try to protect it. Unfortunately, the car still hit the moth and killed it. I was surprised it was not more damaged and I was able to bring it home to create this piece in an act of remembrance. The adult moths do not eat and only last a couple weeks before dying. Learn more about them here!