Artist Portfolio: Charles Ivey

Charles Ivey focuses on creating art primarily through three mediums: acrylics, encaustics, and Venetian plaster. In his new series, Contemporary Part I, the unusual and fascinating abstract results are colorful, exuding a depth of texture. With an appreciation for texture and natural elements, Ivey's process involves applying layers of paint to a board or canvas and then removing certain aspects of the layers. Using such tools as razor blades to paint scrapers, he reveals his desired effect. Encaustics are particularly complex, using pigmented molten wax. When using Venetian plaster, Ivey's custom mix returns to a solid state as soon as it is removed from the heat, allowing the artist only a few seconds to make a brush stroke. “When everything is flowing - ideas, technique, and external distractions,” says Mr. Ivey, “Using the different mediums and textures affords the meshing of color in the finished pieces. What excites me most about my work are the colors and depth.”