About Kirsten

Baltimore City - Highlandtown A&E District
 My work is inspired by the ephemeral. Consistently, even in different media, the exploration remains the idea of preserving a moment of beauty within the constant buzz of  the passage of time.  My work is an attempt to provide the viewer with a mindful moment and perhaps stir a personal memory for that individual.

Each work is an attempt to memorialize a particular moment.  The style is rendered in a sort of flawed abstraction to suggest the ravages of a memory over time. These… more

Memento

 These are some of the first works created using the encaustic process. This is the beginning of a total shift in medium.  The next series of works tell a story of a journey as an artist through ceramics and onto mixed media works. Even more recently, I have added aerial movement and large-scale watercolors.  The journey has always included a fascination with the opportunity art provides to memorialize a moment in time.

Curiosities to Curiosity Cabinets.

This series of works tells the story of the journey from functional pottery, onto "Curiosity  Cabinets" and, finally encaustic painting work.
As a functional potter, my work was published twice and I became a member of The Potter's Guild of Baltimore.  This is my story of artistic evolution.

  • Tiki Tray
    Tiki Tray
    Inspired by 1950's nostalgia.
  • Tropical leaf bowl
    Tropical leaf bowl
    Functional work inspired by 1950's Tiki trend.
  • Primus Bacio
    Primus Bacio
    The first kiss. Embedded in the encaustic medium are a vintage text definition of latex and a retro ad for ex-ray specs.
  • Morto Dolce
    Morto Dolce
    Religion, angels, poison mushrooms and drops of encaustic 'blood' weave a fairytale memory.
  • Morto Dolce
    Morto Dolce
    Detail of encaustic.
  • Morto dolce
    Morto dolce
    A patina of age on the old fairytale.
  • Fratello Fungi
    Fratello Fungi
    Humor and danger in innocent figure with poison mushrooms.
  • Macellaria Di Innocenti
    Macellaria Di Innocenti
    The end of innocence. In a spring thaw this boy prepares to make this lamb his dinner.
  • Rispardo in Cintura
    Rispardo in Cintura
    A real childhood souvenir.
  • Rispardo in Cintura
    Rispardo in Cintura
    Lashed splash. Hanging on to childhood is much like preserving a splash.

Curiosities

The materials include: Recycled Paperclay, encaustic paint, lampwork glass and found objects.
This is the first Curiosus. I made this in 2012-13. Previous to this my artwork was typically functional pottery. In the past I have experimented with many ways to explore clay in a way that challenges the user to recognize pottery as art.
City living makes function and space a palpable premium. Baltimore City has many wall space opportunities for an artist. These necessities have led to multiple inventions of putting claywork on a wall. Over time, this led to the invention of my wall art series.
When I first conceived of this new direction for my work it was necessary to learn several techniques in order to achieve my vision. First online research on the formulations for paperclay. Many experiments were involved in creating a glaze that would appear to be lichen; membership in The Potter's Guild of Baltimore was a resource for glaze chemistry. I then attended a lampwork glassmaking class at CCBC. Finally a workshop on encaustic painting at School 33.
This first piece is a Curiosity Cabinet that holds a memory. The staggering beauty of a walk in the woods in Winter is most stunning because it is so transient-ultimately mortal. Lampwork glass icicles and red berries coated in 'ice' are also made of glass-impossible souvenirs from nature. Bones and shells are beautiful, but also reminders of mortality.
In the last four photos are of older works that demonstrate some of the permutations and ideas that developed into Curiosus.
  •  Raindrops Chalice
    Raindrops Chalice
    a single lampwork raindrop.
  • Raindrops Chalice 2011
    Raindrops Chalice 2011
    This is a large (14"x14"x14") pedestal serving piece. The lampwork glass raindrops and rippling interior surface represent raindrops falling on water. In this earlier work the idea of preserving a moment is illustrated.
  • Cherry Blossom Sugar and Creamer 2011
    Cherry Blossom Sugar and Creamer 2011
    In these earlier functional clay works natural imagery was prominent.
  • Cherry Blossom Teapot 2011
    Cherry Blossom Teapot 2011
    This teapot was published in Lark Book's 2013 500 Teapots. This is an example of the work I established prior to the Curiosus works.
  • Arboris Inverno
    Arboris Inverno
    The first Curiosus. This is a curiosity cabinet of a collection from a walk in the woods. glaze was formulated to appear like lichen and frost. Lampwork glass icicles and berries represent tokens that are perishable. The bones and teeth are reminiscent of mortality. The viewer can see the stark beauty and appreciate the quiet morbidity of a forest in winter.
  • detail Arboris Inverno
    detail Arboris Inverno
    This window of the cabinet contains a clay acorn and leaf, a real deer jawbone, a lampwork glass berry and a found porcelain owl. The found objects are from local flea markets, they are 'recycled' and are a nod to the kitschy humor of Baltimore. The paper that the paperclay is formulated from is another kind of recycling-it comes from office shredders.
  • arboris-hart-2.jpg
    arboris-hart-2.jpg
  • arboris-tempus-detail-2.jpg
    arboris-tempus-detail-2.jpg
  • Detail Arboris Inverno
    Detail Arboris Inverno
    A handbuilt clay pinecone wears a light layer of glaze frost.
  • Detail view of Arboris Inverno
    Detail view of Arboris Inverno
    This detail illustrates the texture of the lichen and frost glazes. A lampwork glass icicle hangs in the cabinet window. It was necessary to learn to make lampwork glass in order to include the icicles which are a recurring part of my visual lexicon of impossible souvenirs.

Uprising, Eros and Baltimore

This was a very special series of encaustic paintings that were created for a solo show at Roman's Place immediately after the uprising. My attempt was to express pride, love, and hope for our city. Natural images and local icons are juxtaposed to invoke a sense of rebirth or new life. I was very proud to have sold nearly the entire collection. 100% of the proceeds from this project were donated to Baltimore youth services.
  • prideofbaltimore.jpg
    prideofbaltimore.jpg
    Encaustic painting with photoghraphic transfer and collage.
  • believebaltimore.jpg
    believebaltimore.jpg
    encaustic painting, photographic transfer and collage.
  • homebaltimore.jpg
    homebaltimore.jpg
    Encaustic painting photograph (by artist) transfer.
  • sanddollarpagoda.jpg
    sanddollarpagoda.jpg
    Encaustic painting, photograph (by artist) transfer and collage.
  • pattersonegg.jpg
    pattersonegg.jpg
    encaustic painting photograph (by artist) transfer and collage.
  • dragonflyconservatory.jpg
    dragonflyconservatory.jpg
    Encaustic painting photograph (by artist) and collage.
  • poesy.jpg
    poesy.jpg
    Encaustic painting photograph (by artist) and collage.
  • XIX The SUN
    XIX The SUN
    Encaustic painting photographic transfer and collage.
  • lovebaltimore.jpg
    lovebaltimore.jpg
    Encaustic painting photographic transfer and collage.
  • monarchconservatory.jpg
    monarchconservatory.jpg
    Encaustic painting photograph (by artist) and collage.

Sit For Tea

A solo show at The Creative Alliance 2016
This show spanned four seasons and described ephemeral moments of experience from each part of the year.  Ceramics, mixed media works, and encaustic works were included in this show. Photos of the encaustic paintings from 'Sit For Tea' are included in this project.
  • 036 serena2.jpg
    036 serena2.jpg
    Queen Bee Encaustic on Wood 4"x4" A Strawberry Crowned Portrait and the shadow of a bee preside over pollination.
  • 031 pagoda2.jpg
    031 pagoda2.jpg
    The Way Back Up Encaustic on Wood 6"x6" The view back up Patterson Park Pagoda sledding hill in a snowstorm.
  • 029 ouija.jpg
    029 ouija.jpg
    Spring Promises the Future Encaustic on Wood 6"x6"
  • 035 serena1.jpg
    035 serena1.jpg
    Siren of Summer Encaustic on wood 8"x8" A fairy queen releases the warmth of summer solstice.
  • 019 conservatory.jpg
    019 conservatory.jpg
    Conservatory Conifers in Winter Encaustic on wood 6"x6"
  • 020 domino.jpg
    020 domino.jpg
    Strawberry Moon Encaustic 6"x6" Inner Harbor Summer Evening
  • 023 howard bridge.jpg
    023 howard bridge.jpg
    A Bridge to Somewhere Wonderful Encaustic on wood 4"x4" Reflecting on a view over Howard Street Bridge
  • 058 moonlit oagoda.jpg
    058 moonlit oagoda.jpg
    Encaustic painting with photograph (by artist) transfer and collage.
  • 061 a walk in the woods 2.jpg
    061 a walk in the woods 2.jpg
    Encaustic paint and bas relief layered with text.
  • 060 a walk in the woods 1.jpg
    060 a walk in the woods 1.jpg
    Encaustic bas relief layered with text.

Devour

Devour was a solo show hosted by Charmed Life Art Gallery.  The work is a tongue in cheek exploration of food.  This figure draped over rowhouses represents the feeling of humidity in the air on a hot Summer's night.
  • 043 tomato.JPG
    043 tomato.JPG
    Tomato Soup Summer Night Encaustic on Wood 6"x6" Humid Summer drapes herself across Baltimore rowhomes
  • 042 6-6 pagoda.JPG
    042 6-6 pagoda.JPG
    Softshell Pagoda Encaustic on Wood 6"x6"
  • 044 eggplant.JPG
    044 eggplant.JPG
    Eggplant Supper Encaustic on wood 6"x6"
  • 045 lemon.JPG
    045 lemon.JPG
    Make Lemonade Encaustic on wood 4"x4"
  • 048 mouth bee.JPG
    048 mouth bee.JPG
    Devour Encaustic on wood 6"x6" Woman swallows live bee
  • 049 crab.JPG
    049 crab.JPG
    Lobster Bisque Constellation Encaustic on wood 6"x6"
  • 046 cherries.JPG
    046 cherries.JPG
    Fresh Cherries Encaustic on wood 4"x4"
  • 052 apple.JPG
    052 apple.JPG
    Original Apple Pie Encaustic on wood 8"x8"
  • 051 sprinkles.JPG
    051 sprinkles.JPG
    Soft Serve,Side Eye and Extra Sprinkles Encaustic on wood 6"x6" Street scene captures whimsy and attitude of the Baltimore summer maiden.
  • 057 predictions on the halfshell.jpg
    057 predictions on the halfshell.jpg
    Encaustic painting, collage and print transfer.

Flights of Fancy

"The moment you doubt you can fly you cease forever to be able to do it." J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan.

This series is about the human fantasy of flight and fascination with creatures that fly. 

  • 055 ouiji.jpg
    055 ouiji.jpg
    Encaustic painting, collage and print transfer
  • 062 mandella.jpg
    062 mandella.jpg
    Encaustic painting and collage of paper anf found objects on a text background.
  • 009 6-6 ship on butterflies.JPG
    009 6-6 ship on butterflies.JPG
    Lemon Rise Over Butterfly Sea Encaustic on wood 4"x4" Pride of Baltimore sails on a sea of butterfly wings with a lemon sunrise.
  • 005 6-6 howard-bridge.JPG
    005 6-6 howard-bridge.JPG
    I Know Where the Fairies Hide Encaustic on wood 4"x4"
  • 004 6-6 faerie-church.JPG
    004 6-6 faerie-church.JPG
    Reflections on Lilac Pond Encaustic on wood 10"x10
  • 003 6-6 faerie-butterfly.JPG
    003 6-6 faerie-butterfly.JPG
    Arrival of Spring Encaustic on wood 6"x6"
  • 001 6-6 conservatory-butterfly.JPG
    001 6-6 conservatory-butterfly.JPG
    Dawn Breaks on Druid Hill Encaustic on wood 6"x6"
  • 056 home is where my flock is.jpg
    056 home is where my flock is.jpg
    Encaustic painting photograph (by artist) and collage.
  • 007 6-6 rosy-bird.JPG
    007 6-6 rosy-bird.JPG
    Soar Encaustic on wood 8"x8"
  • 022 home.jpg
    022 home.jpg
    Encaustic painting and collage

Savor

This series is the continued exploration into capturing the ephemeral moment, preserving a memory. Art used as a curiosity cabinet or a journal of life experience.
  • 024 bee.jpg
    024 bee.jpg
    Pineapple Pollination Encaustic on wood 4"x4"
  • 033 pollination.jpg
    033 pollination.jpg
    Pollination Encaustic on wood 4"x4"
  • 015 youngelvis.jpg
    015 youngelvis.jpg
    Young Elvis Encaustic on wood 6" x6" Vision of the future can be glimpsed upon the image of youth.
  • 040 swimmer.jpg
    040 swimmer.jpg
    Encaustic painting with photographic and text collage.
  • 002 6-6 dandelion.JPG
    002 6-6 dandelion.JPG
    Make a Wish Encaustic on Wood 6"8"x8"
  • 050 dog.JPG
    050 dog.JPG
    'Lilly' Encaustic on wood 12"x12" Commission work in the ephemeral style.
  • 006 6-6 pagoda-moon.JPG
    006 6-6 pagoda-moon.JPG
    Encaustic bas relief, gold leaf and photographic (by artist) transfer
  • 030 ouija2.JPG
    030 ouija2.JPG
    encaustic painting, photograph (by artist) transfer, print transfer, collage.
  • 034 6-6 rowhome.jpg
    034 6-6 rowhome.jpg
    Enacaustic painting, photographic transfer, text collage.
  • 059 believe.jpg
    059 believe.jpg
    Encaustic painting, photographic tranfer and collage with gold leaf.