ARTIST STATEMENT
This work is from a series of twelve photo encaustics. I documented the humble, imperfect fruit, which grew in my garden. I find beauty in the common and temporary in nature.
The natural world is a constant inspiration for my work. I watch the seasons change seeing new growth in the spring. Blossoms appear and transform to tiny buds. With sunshine and rain fruit appears. They develop slowly over time as they battle late frost, insects and other forces of nature. Fruit arrives in the fall. Each pear is a work of art in itself. As the fruit takes form, each expresses its individual beauty and flaws. As with all life their existence is temporary and decay begins. the life cycle ends. Their beauty and benefits are fleeting but their humble existence has provided life sustaining benefits to its surroundings.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
I am a multimedia artist working predominately in encaustic and oil and cold wax. However, I like to explore many materials. My main inspiration comes from the agrarian and coal mining culture of Appalachia, where my ancestors have lived for generations. My experiences and personal history have provided me with a first hand view of communities, the natural world, and the culture of a specific region. I find inspiration everyday from memories, materials, history, industry and nature.
My process is intuitive. I like building layers of history in my work then excavating the surface and building back. Many times i include found materials, collage, prints, drawings and mark making until I reach my desired results. My work goes through many changes in my process. Sometimes my work has recognizable subject matter, other times i choose to eliminate, refine and simplify to an abstract form. I like rich complex surfaces that can be achieved with the many layer of both cold wax or encaustic.
I have two one person shows planned for 2023 and received an Individual Artist Award from the MD State Arts Council in 2020.
© Sonia Pratt