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 Panope, one of the Nereids associated with the vast, open sea, this work explores the quiet strength found in surrender, trust, and stillness. Suspended beneath the water's surface, the figure drifts through an expansive, luminous space where movement slows and reflection deepens.

Rather than illustrating a specific myth, the work draws upon Panope's enduring symbolism to reflect on the inner landscape of transformation. Flowing fabric becomes both movement and atmosphere, suggesting the unseen currents that shape our lives. As part of the ongoing Saltwater Mythologies series, Panope continues my exploration of stillness as a place where vulnerability, resilience, and renewal can coexist.