Old retablo frame, late 1800’s
THE ENCANTO SERIES
Lyn Belisle, Crow’s Companion, 2021
My work has always been strongly influenced by the idea of “shards” as a metaphor for human communication across time. A shard can be a found fragment of clay, a rusty nail, a scrap of handwriting – any little clue that becomes a “secret handshake” between the maker and the discoverer.
Shards, clues, and other stuff
As an assemblage artist, I collect bits of meaning from various cultures and times. This series, called Encantos (charms), respectfully combine contemporary historic images, then veil them with beeswax, a material which has been used in art-making for over 2000 years. This encaustic process seals and enhances the images. The metal adornments on these pieces honor the traditional centuries-old Retablos, painted tin icons that show the significant rust and fading consistent with their age.
Lyn Belisle, Spiral Crows, 2021
For decades I’ve worked with clay, fiber, and paper in assemblage and collage to express this non-verbal time-circle connection. When my friend Michelle Belto introduced me to the encaustic process in 2009, This new-to-me medium seemed a perfect companion for my most-loved materials.
Lyn Belisle, Crow’s Talisman, 2021
I’d briefly tried encaustic medium on collage, but I began to understand that beeswax is a metaphoric material in itself, ancient as clay, versatile as paper, compelling as ivory and bone. Now beeswax and encaustic are integral parts of my process.
Lyn Belisle, Nest, 2021
This series feels just right, a synthesis of digital, ancient, and contemporary process and content. Work for this series is available at the Members Gallery (San Antonio Art League) and soon at Marta Stafford Fine Art in Marble Falls, Texas.
Take good care, hope to see you soon – Lyn
Amazingly beautiful work Lyn, as always, you are an inspiration!
Thank you, Karen – the feeling is mutual!
Love these, Lyn. I am particularly drawn to the Crow’s Companion and Spiral Crows. The Retablos are a perfect ‘stage’ for these works.
Thanks, Linda – we often see eye-to-eye!
Beautiful work Lynn!
Thank you, Leada! ♥
Love this series and reading about your process…shards…what a great word to describe the found objects you use and also the title of this newsletter…
Thanks, Sue – xo
Lyn, another beautiful collection of work. I LOVE & ADORE ravens & crows! Sadly I’ve run out of wall space until I can rearrange.
Connie, I know what you mean – and I got your message – will answer tomorrow 🙂
The “cool light box” resonates with “school in a box” – in this heat keep that school box cool, hey, hey! Your work is your signature,Lyn – always full of “keep looking, feeling and thinking” – the type of work that calls the viewer to “come back” and “see” yet a little more. Love it!!!
Always love your artwork
I Always ;love your artwork