Michele Thrane
Cosmic Trails

I am a printmaker, painter, and mixed media artist.  I practice a form of “asemic writing” which is a kind of invented calligraphy.

My work features seeming-symbols that evoke real letters, musical notations, and, sometimes, scientific equations.  These seeming-symbols are gestural abstractions that invite the viewer to project a variety of meanings into the work.  I feel that my works tells a story to which the viewer contributes. 

 My work is also influenced by science, particularly my son’s work.  He is a physicist who studies gravitational waves and black holes at Monash University.  My imaginary visions reflect my perceptions of far away galaxies, and the search for what is beyond what the eye can see.

 All of the work in this exhibit starts with an encaustic monotype.  Encaustic paint is composed of pigmented beeswax, pigment, and a hardener and is applied in a molten form.   I print off a Roland HOTBox, which has a specialized aluminum plate heated underneath with lightbulbs.  I use tools to manipulate the molten wax to create my imagery.  Some of the monotypes are framed, while others are cut up and used for paper sculptures.