Renee Williams Jefferson

Exploring
encaustic monotype, india ink
18 x 12 in.

Renee Williams Jefferson’s cast paper and encaustic wax works integrate painting, collage and sculpture. She is intrigued by the fluidity of encaustic wax and the transformation of paper pulps to what might be viewed as stone, aged metal and clay.

Renee believes her art is a gift from God and draws her creative inspiration from two themes: spirituality and self-awareness. Her Talking Vessels, 3-dimensional vessels some of which bear wisdom- or faith-based text, Wall Sculptures, Spirit Angels, cast paper mixed media paintings, and encaustic pieces give visual expression to these themes. Her finished cast paper works are often embellished with acrylic paints, silk dyes and various mixed media, including glass and found objects. Her encaustic works often incorporate cast and hand colored paper and fibers.

A self-taught artist, Renee has exhibited widely in the Chicago area and has twice won awards in the Museum of Science and Industry’s Black Creativity juried exhibition. The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra has featured her works as part of their fundraising efforts, and the Chicago Tribune, Southtown Star Newspaper, N’Digo and Elite Magazine have written about her artistic endeavors. For several years now, she has been featured as the guest papermaking artist at the Chicago Children’s Museum. She has also led a series of workshops for the Indianapolis Children’s Museum.

© Renee Williams Jefferson