Amber: In Her Element

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an exploration of film photography and encaustics in the Vermont landscape

In July of 2022, I had the opportunity to attend an artist retreat in Waitsfield, Vermont, at the gorgeous Lareau Farm Inn. It was hosted by incredible artists Lorraine Glessner and Leah Macdonald. I had an amazingly rejuvenating and inspiring week, not only learning new techniques in encaustics, but also reigniting my passion for creating art. The educational side of the retreat was of course fantastic, but then made even more perfect by pairing it with the Vermont landscape while staying at a beautiful farm to table inn with amazing meals provided for breakfast and lunch! One of the afternoons, we explored the farm and surrounding landscape, as well photographed a wonderful local photographer who is a stunningly beautiful mama inside & out, Amber Osgood. We also were able to have a few of our (digital) images professionally printed (by fantastic local photographer and fellow retreat participant Barrie Fisher) to use in making encaustic pieces on site. The film I shot was later developed and scanned by Indie Film Lab. Information about the variety of photographs and encaustic photography art that follows are included below each set. I am happy to answer questions about individual pieces if you have any! Hope you enjoy! XOXO

Above Images: Pentax 645nii + Kodak Portra 400 -- Lareau Farm Inn + July 2022

Above Image: Pentax 645nii + Kodak Portra 400 -- Lareau Farm Inn + July 2022

Above Images: Nikon F6 + Ilford XP2 -- Lareau Farm Inn + July 2022

Left image: "Amber: Flying" | Right image: "Amber: In the Woods"

Both images started with 35mm film photographs of Amber, shot with a Nikon F6 on Ilford XP2 film. The fireplace image on the left was a film photograph I shot in 2011 in Round Rock, TX, and the carousel image on the right was made in 2018 with a TLR camera in Washington, DC. There are also dried flowers waxed onto each piece. Both 12x12" mixed media collages, painted with encaustics and R&F pigment sticks, were included in the 2022 12x12" Members Showcase exhibit at Artspace in Raleigh, NC.

Above Image: Nikon F6 + Ilford XP2 -- Lareau Farm Inn + July 2022

Above Images: Nikon F6 + Ilford XP2 -- Lareau Farm Inn + July 2022

Above image: "Amber: At Rest"

This image started with a 35mm film photograph of Amber, shot with a Nikon F6 on Ilford XP2 film. The window is another film photograph I shot in 2015. There are also dried flowers waxed onto the piece.

This 12x12" mixed media collage, painted with encaustics and R&F pigment sticks, was the third in its series included in the 2022 12x12" Members Showcase exhibit at Artspace in Raleigh, NC.

Above Images: Nikon F6 + Ilford XP2 -- Lareau Farm Inn + July 2022

(also, the last images I shot before I dipped my camera in the river for the next few photos seen below!)

Above Image: Pentax 645nii + Kodak Portra 400 -- Waitsfield, Vermont + July 2022

The black & white image above was made with a Nikon D810 and edited with Lightroom. The art on the right is titled "Amber: Gentle Stillness." It's a 10x10" encaustic photography piece (created while in Vermont), collaged with pressed flowers, and painted with encaustics and R&F pigment sticks. It was included in the 2023 Au: Community Show at the Golden Belt Arts gallery in Durham, NC.

Above Image: Pentax 645nii + Kodak Portra 400 -- Waitsfield, Vermont + July 2022

The black & white image above was made with a Nikon D810 and edited with Lightroom. The art on the right is titled "Amber: Trust." It's an 8x8" mixed media collage painted with encaustics and R&F pigment sticks. It is included in the 2023 Durham Art Guild Members Showcase at the Durham Arts Council, and is currently for sale on their website during the duration of the show.