Melody Epperson
As a society, we have much to talk about concerning women’s rights and equality. As an artist, I believe my role is to make observations and reflect them back to the viewer. With this series of encaustic portraits, I aim to stimulate thought and begin conversations about how we can make an even better nation.
My artwork focuses on my experience as a woman, both in society and within my own skin. My creative process is central to my artwork. It starts when I become curious about a concept. Then I reflect or investigate the idea, and finally I take a creative action. The concept of the artwork, and the discovery of its meaning, is often more important to me than the media itself. And thus, I feel free to switch media to better express my meaning.
Recently I have been painting with wax, both encaustic and cold wax with oil paint. I love the experience of working with wax, both the feel and smell of it. I have discovered many layers of meaning hidden within this media. Wax is sensual and fragile, yet still durable, like my own skin. Like the experience of me as a woman.
My process of curiosity to creative action is evident within my series of suffrage portraits. I became curious about my own history as a woman. Then, I began to investigate the individual leaders involved in woman’s suffrage. From this research I created a series of almost fifty portraits and twenty assemblage pieces telling the story of women’s suffrage. Sometimes my creative action manifests with the actual artwork, but other times it comes in the form of social activism such as registering voters.
