Inspirational Unexpected Combinations

The Perfect Pear, Digital images, wax, acrylic paint, stain block, India ink on panel 33 x 19 in

Unexpected Combinations

Wayne Montecalvo

I work with images, processes, and a variety of materials in order to push the confines of art making to reinvent, rather than reproduce an image. Allowing an idea to emerge organically through curiosity, I manipulate the materials to create unexpected results that distort and redefine. I start with something expected and end up with something mysterious, aiming for singular or unique outcomes within a defined image. Taking a painterly approach gives me the option for discovery by welcoming chance occurrences to create a new way to see a familiar object.

When I work, I usually have a lot of things taking up space in the studio. I feel as if I need everything within sight all at once, all at the same time. There is often a pile up of stuf, a group of parts, a concoction of possibilities lying around. I like to believe that there are always ways to change what we think we are seeing. Adding, subtracting, and composing in layers allows me to shift ideas until something comes into focus. The idea of a portrait that is changing has always intrigued me. Things get mixed up and sometimes rearranged. I like when art making presents a problem and ofers something to work with and to work against.

On a Mission, Digital images, wax, acrylic paint, stain block on panel 26 x 17 in

First House, Digital images, wax, acrylic paint, stain block on panel 33 x 24 in Veil Digital images, wax, acrylic paint, pencil, India ink on panel 35 x 22 in

Veil, Digital images, wax, acrylic paint, pencil, India ink on panel 35 x 22 in

Often it is a matter of redistributing clutter. And when I am putting something together, I want to include all possibilities. But in the end, I decide on ways to restrict, or sort out, until it becomes an issue of elimination. I don’t know if that is good or bad, and it might only be a matter of composition or clarification. We all end up with something to say; hopefully, something gets heard. A simple comment, sentence, or question for one person is not always simple for another. I can appreciate art that shows something is resolved, but still leaves room for something to continue. I try to manipulate the literalness of an image without relying too much on story telling and still allowing the viewer breathing room to fill in.

Harvest, Digital images, wax, silkscreen print, encaustic gesso, India ink on panel 34 x 24 in

Joe, Digital images, wax, acrylic paint, India ink on panel 30 x 24 in

I often incorporate photographic material in my work while making use of the adhesive properties of wax. Encaustic medium allows for easy manipulation to add and to take away. I prepare my ideas on a substrate, either a photographic print, monoprint, photo-silkscreen print, drawing, etc. I prefer using Japanese papers when working with digital imagery, and I find that those type of papers will allow for a lot of transparency and also absorb the wax really well. Encaustic medium can be easily reworked, allowing for easy edits, changes, and manipulations to a piece. I also incorporate other mediums such as diferent types of paint, as well as encaustic paint, stained paper, even materials that are not usually considered compatible with encaustic. I enjoy finding ways to make unexpected combinations work.

About the Author

Wayne Montecalvo is a multi-disciplinary artist who holds a BFA degree from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. He currently lives and maintains his studio in Rosendale, NY. Past residencies: 2016 Awagami Artist-in-Residence Program in Japan; Women’s Studio Workshop, Rosendale, NY: two residencies at the Frans Masereel Grafic Center, Kasterlee, Belgium; two residencies at the Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, VT. From 1998-2013, Wayne taught in the Art Department at the State University of New York, New Paltz campus. Additional teaching includes R&F Handmade Paints, Kingston, NY; The Center for Contemporary Printmaking, Norwalk CT; Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood, WA; the Printmaking Center at the College of Santa Fe; Bard College, Annendale-On-Hudson, Red Hook, NY; The Woodstock Center for Photography, Woodstock, NY, Woodstock School of Art, Woodstock, NY; The Draw, Kingston, NY; and The International Encaustic Conference, Provincetown, MA.

You can view Wayne’s work at www.waynemontecalvo.com www.facebook.com/waynemontecalvo www.instagram.com/waynemontecalvo

Wayne Montecalvo

All rights for the artwork in this article are reserved by the artist.