Early in my discovery of encaustic painting, I tried to duplicate the encaustic finish with layers of acrylic medium.  This series is further exploration of that knowledge.  I mix thick and thin acrylic medium with ground pigment, india ink, and other acrylic paints.  I use painter wedges to spread many layers of similar colors until the pieces almost look leathered and black.  Each piece has a window into another space -- an escape -- and each has an allusions to a natural or artistic element.  A friend interpreted the theme as hope swimming in darkness. Although I didn't paint this series with that thought in mind, in hindsight it makes perfect sense.