I discovered cold wax and oil paint medium in 2017 and was immediately captivated by the possibilities. What began as an experiment quickly became an obsession – an ongoing exploration of texture, depth, and innovation.

Cold wax, a blend of naturally white, unbleached beeswax, alkyd resin, and odorless mineral spirits, is a highly tactile medium that invites touch and discovery. I incorporate organic materials such as sand, gravel ash, pigmented marble dust – even coffee grounds – to create surfaces that range from velvety smooth to deeply carved and richly textured. Each layer contributes to a visual language that feels both ancient and alive.

My paintings are anything but delicate. They are bold, earthy, full of color and energy. Circles and spheres often serve as focal points, and the color orange in its many beautiful shades frequently appears as a signature highlight. I build up as many as twenty layers of paint using unconventional tools – palette knives, trowels, and squeegees – and then excavate those layers with pottery tools, razors, and steel wool, revealing traces of what came before. In that process, I often feel like an archaeologist uncovering my own history.

Much of my work is created on cradled birch panels, which can withstand the physicality of scratching, scraping, and layering inherent in my process. Over time, glorious colors, textures, and patinas emerge, evoking ancient frescoes and the quiet beauty of things aged and timeworn. I also create smaller works on Arches oil paper, allowing for a lighter, more intimate expression of the same energy.