I weave a story into the creation of every piece I make.
Artist Statement
Discovering photo encaustic was an amazing revelation. I could take my photographs and push the limit with this medium. The photograph becomes part of the canvas, yet it no longer takes center stage. It joins the rest of the canvas as part of a larger concept. Layer upon layer of wax, and pigments, and designs, dance together to blend color, light and photographs into a new and different concept.
I love various mediums: fiber arts where the colors and textures fascinate me, clay where shapes emerge into stories. I have experimented with all types of mediums, but always come back to what I love best; the blending of colors, and textures stepping slightly away from realism while adding a bit of whimsy.
Art is about experimenting and letting go of your fears and constraints. You stand on the edge and if you are brave, you take the step over the edge. It is the ultimate in experimentation because at every step you can change your direction, take away what does not work, and fuel your imagination with new discoveries. There is a story to be told in every piece of art whether it is your story or someone else’s story. That is what makes art.
About the Artist
Peggy began her art career as a fiber artist while teaching three-dimensional design at Haverhill High school. Upon moving to Vermont in the 60’s, she continued her art while pursuing a real estate career and raising children. Throughout this period, she developed her own photographs, and incorporated them in collages, silk screens and fabric. Once the digital camera and Adobe became available Peggy found a new way of expressing herself through photographs.
Peggy’s main focus is clay sculpture. She finds that the clay speaks to her in a way that brings out her love of the three-dimensional form and her sense of humor. The forms reveal themselves into characters that take on their own personalities and speak to her about their lives. Because of this, Peggy also looks for the unusual and the humor in everyday life as she travels around the world with her camera. She prefers to travel in countries that are underdeveloped and to look for the unusual to photograph. Then using the creativity of the tools available to manipulate photos she brings a new dimension to her work .
Peggy’s life is full of color and energy which she expresses in her art. Although there are times she takes on more serious subjects, she enjoys the whimsy that happens spontaneously.