Layered

North Shore artist Karen Ross uses an ancient technique toexamine modern society.

PHOTOGRAPH BY KATRINA WITTKAMP

BY ALLISON DUNCAN THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Colorful, joyful, abstract, and thought-provoking are just a few words that describe artist Karen Ross’ body of work. Ross’ encaustic paintings, named for the ancient art form in which pigments are mixed with hot wax, ignite the senses and invite introspection. When viewing Ross’ works, one catches the faint aroma of beeswax while contemplating her insights on 21st-century life.

In her home studio, she utilizes multiple griddles to melt the wax for a project, then uses a blow torch to fuse it to the paint, layering the two in equal succession. “Every layer becomes melded together,” explains Ross. “People don’t realize that you’re looking at umpteen layers of wax painted over and over. The works are luminous and have an enormous amount of texture. You really need to see it in person, which is true for most art but especially for this particular medium. When you see it up close, it becomes a completely different experience.”

Ross is self-taught. When she and her family moved to Deerfield in 2005, she closed her psychotherapy practice in the city and started abstract painting simply to create art for the walls of her home. But when she couldn’t get the acrylic to perform the way she hoped it would, Ross turned to tutorials on YouTube. It was there she first discovered encaustic painting and it was love at first sight.

Since then, her work has been featured in prominent exhibitions spanning from Florida and California to Texas and Illinois. One of her first solo shows was at Air Studio + Gallery in Glencoe in 2020, and she’s collaborated frequently with The Art Center Highland Park. Ross is now represented by Highland Park’s Laughlin Gallery.

Words To Live By, Encaustic on Wood(framed), 25 x 49 inches

“The friendships and connections that have developed through these shows and representation are one of the highlights of my career,” says Ross. “The North Shore community has been so inclusive, nurturing, and supportive of my work.”

Ross began creating encaustic word paintings in 2021 when she started playing with stencils. The first, It’s Not That Serious, became the basis of an entire show at Air and later launched Ross’ word painting collection. Ross’ You Are My Person was so popular that Laughlin Gallery made the piece into a print (the original is still available) based on the public’s reaction.

Circles, Encaustic on Wood Panel, 36 x 36 inches

ART PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH REHMER

Hanging in her own home is the largest piece Ross has created, a word painting that says, “Please Look at Me” and “Why Are You Looking at Me” over and over.

Please Look At Me (Why Are You Looking At Me), Encaustic on Wood Panel (framed) 48 x 72 inches

“People do a lot of things to draw attention to themselves but then feel uncomfortable when they get that attention,” explains Ross. The inner therapist in Ross is intrigued by these conflicting feelings. “The work is a cheeky play on words. I have another painting called Imperfect, I’m Perfect Just one apostrophe changes the entire meaning. Another is called I Think I’ll Take the Stares, meaning ‘accept being looked at.’”

Ross is also working on a series of rough nude sketches. They’re not her typical “bright” and “splashy” works but they’ve already been gaining traction on social media.

That’s the appeal of her work: she can shift gears depending on her mood. But whether soft and neutral or loud and exciting, Ross always “gets the itch” to create another of her signature stripe paintings.

Ross describes her stripe paintings as “controlled chaos.” “Every stripe is its own mini painting with different colors and techniques inside each. I love the idea of wildness inside the controlled lines,” she observes.

In April, Ross will be part of a show at the Evanston Art Center, Artists Voice, with Art Makers North, a group of seasoned North Shore artists.

“There’s space for everyone,” says Ross. “Our work could all be saying something different but it’s cohesive when hung in a gallery together. I love hearing what speaks to people and why. Being an artist can be isolating, so I appreciate being able to meet other artists and talk about the challenges and opportunities with our work.”

Recently, Ross found inspiration for a piece from an artist friend. They’d been chatting for hours when Ross said, “I have so many questions.” Her friend’s response? “That should be your next painting.” Thus, Ross created a new work named I Have So Many Questions. Not surprisingly, Ross describes the painting’s buyer as “very inquisitive.” “It resonated with them for that reason,” she explains.

As Ross looks toward her artistic future, it is one in which she hopes to host more solo shows while continuing to work with interior designers on commissions for their clients and making an impact—however big or small—with her paintings while continuing to grow as an artist.

Karen Ross

“One of the things I’ve learned through my work is the most beautiful works I’ve made are imperfect,” says Ross. “The imperfection is the beauty. We live in a society that’s very perfectionoriented, and there’s something comforting about striving for imperfection. I try to remember—with everything in life—that things will be more beautiful if I let go of needing them to be a certain way.”

For more information, visit karenrossart.com or follow her @karenross4. Ross’ works are being highlighted at Highland Park’s Laughlin Gallery. For more information, visit laughlingallery.com.