This artist creates intricate and graceful paintings inspired by nature’s fleeting changes. McDermott begins with preliminary graphite drawings of little things like a pussy willows, sage brush, or a downy feather. She then overlays a delicate encaustic layer on the surface which builds a sublime and translucent shield that preserves, even freezes, the image of nature for eternity. The use of encaustic, traditionally a technique involving layers of pigment suspended in beeswax originating from ancient Egypt, is considered one of the longest-lasting painting techniques known to mankind. The use of this process in painting only reiterates the intent, and hope, of preserving the fragile nature of nature.
Scape. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m. Starts: Dec. 4. Continues through Jan. 3, 2008
