“The paper invites me to look at my imperfections so that I may find a way to see we are all similar, but unique, flawed but beautiful, a bright side and a shadow side.”
—Kandis Susol
Artist Kandis Susol works out of her studio known as Jakuan (Arbor of Tranquility), located on remote Orcas Island, where she creates her encaustic paper sculptures as a form of spiritual practice. Inspired by her study of garden design in Kyoto, Japan; practicing tea ceremony at Shoseian in Seattle, Washington; her study of Zen Buddhism, and a Fiber Arts Major at the University of Washington for 2 years, she is wholeheartedly present in the moment when she works. Drawing on inspiration from the natural world, she is infusing each piece with a meditative quality and materials representing all four earthly elements: water, air, fire and earth.
The colors one perceives in each piece are not colors from dye, but the play of light and shadow as one moves position in relation to the artwork. Each work is comprised of natural elements, including iridescent pigment made from the likes of fish scales and freshwater oyster shells ground into an oil medium to uniquely reflect light, wax from bees, and organic Kozo pulp from Japan to make the translucent paper—a process that takes months to complete.
Works by Susol have been exhibited at museums in the Pacific Northwest and sold out at individual and group shows. Her sought-after custom commissions are prized works that have been displayed in exquisite private homes, chic luxury hotels, and in design magazines.
Kandis Susol is represented by Winston Wachter Fine Art in Seattle and Laura Rathe Fine Art in Houston & Dallas.
“What could be seen as subdued rhythm effervescently bursts to life amidst an ocean of calm. Susol invites us to be as reflective as when we observe trees blowing in the wind, indulging in understated awe.” —Winston Wachter
Art in photo header: Journey to Tranquility, 2017, 36 x 120 x 5 inches. Artist-made cotton paper encaustic sculpture. Commission by the AC Hotel via Jude Smith of The Art Makery.