The Arts & Culture Journal

As Autumn fast approaches, Fallyrag takes a look back at the busy Summer of Gerri Ann Siwek.

Presenting us with a colourful collection of nature-strewn prints, Gerri demonstrates a skilful approach in representing static movement and alluring, almost stylistically primitive, mark making.

“This summer I continued exploring my encounters with wildlife in encaustic printmaking.  I have a cabin near Last Mountain Lake in Saskatchewan, Canada and rent a summer studio close-by. Everyday, I would walk or ride my bike along the shoreline - mostly in the mornings and sometimes in the evenings. I experienced fleeting glimpses of wildlife; skunks, raccoons, porcupines, deer, foxes, coyotes and turtles. 

“I also had some amazing bird sightings; belted kingfishers, cedar waxwings, great blue herons and even some sand hill cranes when I drove to the north end of the lake. I recreated these in-the-moment experiences with encaustic paints and medium, drawing on a hot metal plate, making monoprints (or monotypes). 

“When I am working with the encaustic paint and medium it actually moves and flows on the heated plate so there is a lot of in-the-moment things happening that I have no control of. I also stamp-in various patterns into the medium to recreate the play of light and apparition-like visual experience.”