Cobalt

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“Shadows Beneath the Storm,” measures 17 by 22.5 inches. Inspired by the recent monsoon season in the Southwest, it captures a textured stormy landscape. A rugged cactus-like form rises with deep blue and green layers against a lightning-filled sky. Glowing gradients of yellow, red, and orange suggest heat and movement, while dark abstract mountains frame the scene. Small rhinestones highlight the stars, Brazilian Solidite rock slabs deepen the mountains, and construction paper dipped in wax with copper elements add texture to the ground. This work reflects the tension between wild natural forces and subtle growth beneath them.

Encaustic Paintings

"A Raven In The Sune, "A Raven in The Sun." Measuring 14 by 34 inches, this artwork centers on a black raven perched atop a tall, green cactus with textured, branching arms. A warm, glowing halo surrounds the bird’s head, drawing attention to its presence against a richly layered background of soft purples, pinks, and blues. Below the cactus, stylized plants with red blossoms and a nest with patterned eggs add subtle details to the composition. I incorporated materials like glass, copper, india ink, oil pastels, and gold foil, and gave the raven’s tail a three-dimensional touch using fabric to bring an added depth and texture. This piece is part of a series exploring birds, and I’m looking forward to creating more works that blend natural realism with vibrant, textured elements.

"Yucca Whispers at Twilight,"is a 12 by 12-inch encaustic work that explores texture and natural form through a blend of fabric and wax. At its center, a white yucca flower emerges with delicate fabric petals, while rolled fabric creates the sturdy green stems. The background captures a dynamic sky where warm sunset tones meet cooler purples, layered with thick brushstrokes and raised paint that add depth and movement. Small copper details in the lower right suggest the rugged presence of desert cacti, anchoring the floral centerpiece within an abstract landscape. This piece reflects my ongoing interest in the varied shapes of Southwest cacti and the subtle shifts of evening light.

"The Sun-Kissed Coppertillo’s." Measures 14 by 34 inches. This work features warm pastel tones—soft pinks, oranges, and purples—that set a vibrant, textured backdrop. At the heart of the composition, tall green stems rise, topped with deep red flower buds crafted from red glass bits and small copper nuggets, giving the blooms a tactile, three-dimensional quality. Above, a radiant sun shines bright beams of yellow and white light, bringing warmth and energy to the scene below. The lower section combines layers of wax and inserted construction paper to create an abstract landscape, accented by a copper piece from Globe, AZ. This piece is inspired by my fascination with the Southwest Ocotillo and explores the dynamic relationship between light and life in an organic, textured environment.

"Celestial Dusk," measures 14 by 34 inches. This vertical work explores a surreal night sky filled with swirling stars, spiral galaxies, and a radiant sun-like celestial body. Two abstract, textured forms—a curled seahorse shape and a snake-like spiral—hover among the stars, introducing a mysterious, otherworldly feel. The lower section features an intense, fiery base with black, plant-like stems topped with glass buds reaching upward, framed by dark, rocky formations that suggest a cosmic landscape. For this piece, I incorporated slabs of Lapis Lazuli to represent a mountain range and used rhinestones for the stars, along with fabric dipped in wax to add texture and depth. This painting continues my series on star-filled nights, blending natural and cosmic elements in a dreamlike composition.

THE EYE HAS IT

"The Joy Of Yucca" #1 Feb 18, 2023 / Encaustic with copper splash, fabric, india ink, stone, desert treasure, and oil stick. 25 " x " 32 on Birch

"Chromatic Bloom: Echoes of Copper and Earth." This piece 26" x 20" Encaustic painting mixed reflects a deeper exploration of texture and color, grounded by a copper splash from Michigan at the heart of the sunflower. By layering wax with handmade paper, Italian glass florets, and carved colors beneath translucent pigments, I aimed to capture the sunflower’s quiet strength and vibrant energy. The swirling background and earthy lower section invite you to see how complexity and resilience can emerge together. This painting reminds me that growth often happens beneath the surface, unfolding through layers of experience and light.

"Humming Around" Encaustic mixed with copper, fabric, and oil stick . 17.5 x 17.5

OCOTILLO AT COPPER TOWER 40" X 14"

POPEYE TH ROADRUNNER"" ENCAUSTIC MIXED

"The Red Cardinal" Encaustic on Birth Wood mixed with Aloe Copper , oil stick pastels and indi ink 18" x 18" Also available as a giclee in various sizes

" Dancing In The Moon light" ON EXHIBIT AT SARNOF PALOMA GALLERY Also available as a giclee in various sizes

Feathered Radiance / Ceremonial Glow," Artist: Joe Bourne Size: 17.5" x 23.5". Medium: Encaustic mixed "Feathered Radiance / Ceremonial Glow," features a captivating profile of a Native American wearing a headdress adorned with blue and white feathers, all set against a vibrant yellow backdrop. The radiating lines evoke a sense of warmth and energy, much like the sun's glow. This piece is brought to life with intricate details and a rich palette of purples and reds, creating a dynamic and expressive quality. What truly sets it apart is the unique process involved—sculpting the figure from beeswax and crafting the headdress from special fabric dipped in wax, complemented by a Native American prayer subtly embedded within. My inspiration came after seeing a bronze sculpture of a Native American Chief, which spurred my creative vision

I’m pleased to introduce "A GLORIOUS MORNING," a new encaustic mixed media piece measuring 28 by 15 inches. This work continues my exploration of morning sunrises, capturing the transition as the sun breaks through a fading night sky. At its center, a radiant sun casts dynamic rays in yellow, white, and touches of red that illuminate the surrounding colors, moving from warm oranges and reds near the horizon to deeper blues and purples above. The sky is dotted with textured clouds and softly glowing stars, enhanced with gold and silver foil specks and rhinestones to evoke a shimmering, ethereal effect. In the lower section, dark, spiky plant silhouettes rise in contrast, while small copper slabs suggest rocky formations on the right, adding tactile dimension. I combined oil stick, India ink, pastel powder, and these varied materials to bring depth and energy to this surreal landscape, aiming to convey the unique moment between night’s retreat and the arrival of morning light.

"Yucca Whispers Amid Shifting Skies." measures 14 by 34 inches and draws from my ongoing series focused on the Southwest yucca plant. In this work, I use fabric dipped in hot wax to form five pale yellow, curling stalks that rise from an earthy base of green, brown, and reddish tones textured like roots and seeds. The background moves from warm reds and oranges at the bottom to cooler purples and blues above, with subtle speckled patterns that suggest shifting skies. I’ve also added three copper pieces to represent a mountain range, blending natural materials within an abstract landscape that feels both grounded and open. This piece reflects my interest in the interplay between natural forms and expansive environments.

I’m pleased to introduce "Ode to the Sun Flower #3," a 14 by 14-inch encaustic mixed media piece that continues my exploration of sunflowers. In this work, I used fabric dipped in wax to create petals that twist and curl with a lively texture. The center of the flower blends deep browns with subtle green accents, while the thick green leaves reach outward with a natural flow. The background layers purples and blues in swirling patterns, adding movement and energy to the composition. For the first time in this series, I incorporated india ink and oil pastel, as well as carved wax elements that connect across the surface, giving the painting an added depth. This piece reflects both a continuation and an evolution of the techniques and colors I’m exploring in this body of work.

Venus and Mars (Encaustic mixed) 30 x30

With "Luminous Entanglement," I wanted to explore the quiet power of connection—the way different elements come together to create something resilient and alive. The piece is built around a dense cluster of twisted forms, like roots woven tightly, grounding vibrant touches of red-orange, turquoise, and gold. These colors bring energy to the natural textures, while the surrounding soft pastels carry a calm movement that balances the composition. Incorporating materials like Chinese turquoise, lab-grown crystal, and copper rods allowed me to bring a tangible dimension to the work, inviting the viewer to feel the layered complexity beneath the surface. This artwork is a reminder that strength can be found in intertwined forces, and that even seemingly contrasting parts can exist in harmony, offering depth and light when brought together.

"David's Star" encaustic on Birch mixed with fabric oilseed a gem stone size 24 x 24"

18" x 6"

"The Big Smile" Encaustic on Birth wood 20"x20" mixed with an agar, cooper rods gold foil, and India ink

My Blue Paradise 20" x 20"

"Pastel Expressions" Encaustic (painting with bees wax) on Birch 12" x 24" mixed with turquoise stones, various copper elements, glass bits, and India ink.