Suzanne Damrich practices the ancient art of Encaustic Painting. In this process, oil pigment is melted with hot beeswax and painted onto a rigid surface. When intense heat is applied, the wax becomes malleable and impressionable until it cools. The warm wax is very sculptural: she often carves intaglio images into the wax or creates bas-relief using clay or silk to establish form before encasing it in wax and pigment. 

Damrich uses authentic wax from natural beehives, where young bees are raised and honey is stored. The wax is a natural byproduct of the honey gathering process: no bees are harmed! Damrich says, "May my work call attention to the plight of our pollinators, including butterflies, bees, and bats and bring you the hope and joy I had creating it!"

The artist works intuitively allowing each step to unfold as the work speaks to her. She draws inspiration from nature, often spending hours in her butterfly garden beneath ancient live oaks. She believes these surroundings offer endless creative ideas and that the rhythms of nature foster transformation and renewal.

Damrich says, "There is a mystical quality to the creative life because it allows me to be in tune with some source of benevolent energy much greater than myself from which I get inspiration, encouragement, and hope."