Vera Ranguelova – Resume

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The beauty and complexity of patterns: imagined, real, defined by culture.

I am interested in patterns: natural, created by humans, or defined by culture. Wax is a unique medium: it melts, changes, loses shape, or hardens surprisingly. It challenges my idea of perfection and asks for forgiveness. It is a medium that requires me to step back and accept its playfulness and disregard for perfectly defined lines. Wax creates space. It can be smooth like glass and rough like rocks. It is not passive. It demands a response, touch, and reflection.

Encaustic is hard, physical work. There is no sitting in front of an easel. There is kneeling on the floor with scraping tools, moving between hot plates, and holding the big torch. I make my paint. I build my frames. I burn my fingers. I splash cement on wood, scrape it, and paint it. I might use oil, pastel, red paprika, sugar, and cinnamon. Whatever is in my sight. The propane torch is my favorite tool. It has power and presence. I sometimes use a heat gun and iron, but there is no comparison once you light the torch.

The mixture of beeswax and damar resin is the medium for encaustic painting. I use different colors and alter the base by applying joint compound, plaster, and burnt glue. Sometimes I use paper and ink transfer, but I restrain myself from using photographs and adding wax on top: unless I use the picture to create a new meaning.

Bio

I was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, and moved to the United States in 1999. My life in the USA started in Iowa City, IA, where I earned a BA and MA at the University of Iowa. In 2003 I relocated to Seattle, WA. Now, back in Iowa City, after 20 years on the West Coast, I am dedicated to developing my art career in encaustic painting.

• Flameartstudio – Artist and Owner – www.flameartstudio.com
• MA, Graphic Design, University of Iowa City, Iowa City, IA
• BA, Studio Art, University of Iowa City, Iowa City, IA

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