Surface & Process

Each original begins with Susan J. Roche's underwater photography and is transformed by hand through layers of encaustic wax, oil paint, pastel, and pigment. Built on a 1.5-inch cradled wood panel, the translucent wax allows light to enter the surface and reflect back, creating depth, luminosity, and subtle shifts throughout the day.

About the Work

Status: In Development

Inspired by Cymodoce and Panope, two Nereids of Greek mythology, this work explores companionship, guidance, and the quiet strength found in shared experience. Rather than illustrating a specific myth, it draws upon the enduring symbolism of these sea nymphs as protectors and guides across uncertain waters.

Suspended beneath the surface, two figures move in quiet dialogue, their flowing forms and fabrics suggesting trust, presence, and mutual support. Water becomes a place where gravity softens, movement slows, and connection emerges through gesture rather than words.

As part of the ongoing Saltwater Mythologies series, Cymodoce + Panope reflects my continuing exploration of transformation through water, inviting viewers to consider how we navigate life's currents not only through resilience, but through the relationships that sustain us.