Artist Statement

I experimented with oil paint and cold wax medium for the first time in August, 2017. A passion for this mixed media combination has grown into an obsession of finding and exploring new and innovative techniques.

Cold wax is a mixture of naturally white unbleached beeswax, alkyd resin, and odorless mineral spirits. I love the textures that can be developed with the cold wax – velvety smooth, carved and highly textured using various organic materials such as sand, gravel, ash, pigments, marble dust and plaster. I build up as many as 20 layers of color with palette knives, trowels, squeegees and add wax medium, sand and any other texturizing materials I can find. Then I dig back into previous layers with pottery shaping tools, dental tools, razors, steel wool and reveal previous layers becoming an archaeologist of my own painting!

Glorious colors, textures and patinas develop evoking ancient frescos, aging and a lovely worn appearance that greatly appeals to me.

My paintings are done on cradled birch panels which allows for my aggressive scratching, scaping and supports the many layers of paint and textures I use.  I have painted smaller, less layered paintings on Arches Oil Paper which are matted and framed.

My paintings are not light and airy but rather a bit dark, gritty and usually with a circle or sphere as a focal point. I start a painting without a plan but let the painting evolve and develop during the process. I try to follow my personal voice and create a painting that feels right, brings me joy and says “Yes, that is me!”

- Vickie Edwards
Sandpoint, Idaho and Mission Valley, Montana