Andrea Bird – encaustic artist

Andrea Bird, AOCAD/OSA, is one of the artists whose work is part of the gallery’s Ontario Society of Artists Summer Exhibition 2009. Bird is an encaustic artist living in North Wellington County. Her work is inspired by the rural landscape.  She has exhibited her work and taught encaustic and collage for over 20 years.

This award-winning artist says:

“My chosen medium is encaustic.  This is the mixing of beeswax, oil paint and damar resin.  It is an ancient method of painting that is now enjoying great popularity.   My work tells a story, one that is different each time, but common threads runs through them all: the beauty of nature and the emotional response to life’s experiences.  When we allow ourselves to explore the depths of our creativity, there is a richly textured world that awaits us.”

“The layering of collage (often natural elements), beeswax and colour plays an important role in her work – with some layers being partially or completely obscured, adding depth, texture and interest to the surface of my paintings.”

The above photo is Bird’s painting “Blackout” which is on display at the Gallery as part of the Ontario Society of Artists Summer Exhibition 2009.