Jerome AZ (September 19, 2016) – Gallery 527 in Jerome opens another blockbuster show of new work by encaustic artist Ardis Harsche. From the Badlands of North Dakota to Jerome Arizona, by way of Herron School of Art in Indianapolis, Ardis has created a body of work inspired by the symbols and spirituality of the southwest. Her paintings are filled with imagery of shamans, primal animals, primitive ancestral figures and anthropomorphic creations.
Her technique includes working with palette knives and her fingers. The artist describes her process, “I start was a blank board surface. Using a palette knife, I apply layers of pigmented wax, using a heat gun to adhere each layer. I can apply more heat to bring previous colors to the surface.
The weight of the pigments varies so the heavier ones will sink and the lighter colors will rise. This floating and mixing of the colors adds another dimension to my art. The symbolic images I paint are applied by hand and palette knife. Negative painting is then used to refine the detail. The final layers are usually scumbled on the surface. This adds texture to the piece. “ The show opens during first Saturday Art Walk on October 1st. Janis Paul will play her jazzy keyboard repertoire for the opening from 5 to 8pm. For more information, contact Donna at 928.301.3004.