Surface & Process

Each original begins as Susan J. Roche’s underwater photograph before being transformed through hand-applied layers of encaustic wax, oil paint, and pastel. Built upon a 1.5-inch cradled wood panel, the translucent wax allows light to gently enter the surface before reflecting back, creating remarkable depth and luminosity. As natural light changes throughout the day, subtle textures and hidden passages gradually emerge, making each viewing a different experience.

About the Work

Inspired by the timeless image of a sea queen, Daria embodies quiet authority, grace, and enduring strength. Gentle reflections drift beneath the wax as the figure emerges through luminous layers of light and atmosphere. Rather than asserting power through spectacle, the work invites contemplation, revealing new depths and subtle passages as natural light moves across the surface.