This painting began as a traditional landscape, grounded in the familiar structure that often appears throughout my work. The composition initially followed a more conventional approach, with a clear foreground, middle ground, and horizon line guiding the viewer’s eye. However, as the piece developed, I felt compelled to move beyond my usual process and challenge the way I build layers within the surface.

Rather than relying solely on my established encaustic techniques, I introduced oil sticks and gold leaf to disrupt that sense of predictability. These materials allowed for a more immediate, tactile quality—mark-making that feels both intentional and spontaneous. The gold leaf, in particular, brings a subtle luminosity that shifts with the light, creating moments of reflection and quiet intensity.

A recurring theme in my recent work, and one that resonates with many of my collectors, is the balance between representation and abstraction. This painting leans into that dialogue, where recognizable elements of landscape begin to dissolve into gesture and atmosphere. The materials themselves become part of the narrative, adding depth not just visually, but physically.

At the center of the composition, a portal-like form began to emerge—unexpected, yet essential. It acts as both an anchor and an opening, inviting the viewer inward while also suggesting something just beyond reach. This central space creates a sense of pause, a moment where the eye can rest before continuing its journey through the painting.

The foreground flowers and middle ground field gently guide the viewer toward the horizon, which is delicately scribed in the distance. There is a quiet rhythm in this movement, a layering of depth that pulls the gaze upward and outward. The result is a landscape that feels both grounded and expansive, rooted in tradition yet open to exploration.