Piece description from the artist
Beachside No. 3 came from a series of beach themed encaustics exploring different applications of gold leaf on and within the layers of wax which make up the paintings. Working from the background out, this piece takes the very natural elements of this encaustic painting (wood, wax, damar tree resin, shellac, and gold) to produce the illusion and reflection of another type of natural element altogether: light. It's an illusion of the senses: combing these very physical – even dense – elements to create the perceived exudation of light as well as actually capturing light and redirecting it out back to the viewer by using layers of clear wax medium and gold leaf.
Leah Merriman is native to St. Louis, working primarily in encaustics to create ethereal, layered abstract landscapes on wood and paper. She also creates detailed illustrations of urban scenery and architecture and will often combine the two.
Merriman was influenced heavily by personal childhood and young adult illnesses and often found that being able to escape her own physical situation was only possible through her mind. She creates worlds you can "go into” and look around. Places you can stay in for a while, watch the scenery shift light, textures and colors in conjunction with the time of day. By practicing stillness and the awareness of being in the moment, an appreciation of your own mind’s ability to travel inward can be honed while still being acutely aware of your immediate physical world, striking an intriguing balance through the marriage of patience and escapism.
Merriman apprenticed in sculpture and illustration under local St. Louis Master Artist Rudolph Torrini in her late teen and early adult years.
She studied Drawing and Sculpture at Fontbonne University in St. Louis as well as photography and videography at Webster University, St. Louis, MO. She
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