FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Photographer/Artist Melissa Schneider Presents New Beaufort Photo Encaustic Series
BEAUFORT, South Carolina (November 23, 2009) - By pairing the contemporary art of digital photography with the ancient medium of encaustic painting, photographer/artist Melissa Schneider has captured the astonishing beauty of Beaufort in her portraits of this historic city. This technique, which combines her passions for architecture and photography, has resulted in a series of dramatic creations that focus on unique architectural details and intensification and depth of natural light.
"I was initially intrigued by the photo encaustic process, because it uses an ancient medium to preserve a modern medium, and I like the uniqueness of the blend," Schneider explains. Encaustic painting originated in Egypt between 100 B.C. and 200 A.D. The key element of this historic medium consists of beeswax mixed with damar resin. The application results in a hardened surface that an artist can manipulate with embedded marks, materials, pigments and textures. Encaustics have strong archival qualities and are resistant to moisture and to yellowing with age.
"I was particularly attracted to the transformation that the beeswax creates - soft edges and a cloudy, romantic feeling - particularly since this is done with a natural element like beeswax instead of digital manipulation to the photograph," Schneider says.
Photo encaustic production is a multi-step process: First, the photo, printed on acid-free, archival paper is carefully adhered to a special, 2-inch thick board and the edges are sanded to blend the paper into the wood. The photograph is then layered with multiple coats of the clear wax and damar resin mixture. When the encaustic has hardened, Schneider uses a hot palette knife to smooth away surface bubbles and bumps, a process that can take hours or several days in order for the surface to become glass-smooth. Finally, the oil-galkyd glazes are applied to the surface. Then she goes back and sands the sides of the boards and applies wood stains or paints that match the encaustic.
Schneider's interest in photography began with a high school graduation gift, a Canon 35mm SLR camera. She studied art and architecture at Eastern Michigan University, learning the principles and elements of design that strengthened her skills across many artistic aspects, including photography. But her greatest exposure to photographic arts was as an editorial team member at Savannah Magazine. While serving as the photo stylist for the magazine's special Homes edition, she was greatly influenced by photographer Richard Leo Johnson. "I learned so much from him about composition, light, and capturing beauty," she says. "I was like a sponge...it was an incredible learning experience and I try to use those lessons everyday." Schneider began shooting beach scenes of Tybee Island and the Savannah Historic District, but soon found herself enchanted with Beaufort as a subject.
"I'm inspired by Beaufort, especially The Point, because it is so quiet and seemingly untouched. It's easy to photograph there, because there are very little distractions, like street signs or parking meters that need to be removed from the frame. "The narrow little lanes are like mysteries...I'll walk along shaded rows of bungalows and cottages with picket fences with sweet gardens, and then POW! The view will explode with an antebellum home right beside an open water view. It's just like a perfect movie set that someone built, but it's real. It's all completely authentic and that's what makes it so beautiful."
M Home and Garden, in Beaufort, is presently showcasing pieces that focus on iconic gates and historic homes. More of Schneider's photographs, part of a collection of more than 350 images taken during an intensive three-day period spent in Beaufort, can be viewed at her website at www.sweetbynby.com
M Home and Garden, 813 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC 29902 (843) 524-7465
Contact:
Melissa Schneider, 912-441-6232, melissa-schneider@comcast.net
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