Cari Hernandez– Artist Statement

I have a friend who talks of a “boomerang” theory; we start off in one place –working out our thoughts/ideas/materials long enough to stretch way out… and we do venture far out – sometimes going off course. And while we are stretching, we stay true to our voice and vision finding that we do in fact come back to ourselves again and again. I find this an accurate description for my process, my methodology.

There is an aesthetic that speaks loudly through my work… a central theme where I explore faith, courage, joy, and pleasure to name a few.

Encaustic is the connective medium found in most of my work, it is one of the most exciting materials that I have ever worked with. I often bring fiber, paper, photography, and other mediums together, as there is a unique synergy when mingled.

I do what I do because I couldn’t image life any differently; I need to express the themes and ideas of my world. I am passionate about personal expression, as it seems to be that this human existence is about the experiences that we participate in…our ability to feel love, joy, fear, loss…that is what defines us at the end of the day. My work explores these things, and serves as a touchstone. Combining mediums serves as a way for me to uniquely express myself, looking to stay connected to my personal humanity, coming back to myself again and again.

Resume

Education

Exhibitions

Professional Experience

• 1998-Current I am a full-time artist. I teach encaustic & mixed medium workshops as well as lecture on the subject.
• 2007 Lecturer/Presenter, First Annual Encaustic Conference, Montserrat College, Beverly, MA
• 2006-Present Executive Board Member, WCEA (West Coast Encaustic Artists)
• 1990-1997 Cari Hernandez Photography; 300 Brannan Street Suite #410, San Francisco, CA
  I operated my own commercial photography studio working primarily with advertising agencies, producing images for national campaigns. My clients included Chiat Day (TBWA/Chiat/Day), Macy’s West, J.Walter Thompson: Sprint; College accounts, Business division, Foreign marketing, & California Lottery.
• 1989-98 Commericial Freelance Photographer

Professional Affiliations

• 2006-Current Founding Board member, International Encaustic Artists (IEA).
  IEA is an artist’s organization focused on the promotion and education of encaustic work. I am Board Chair of our Education program where I cultivate programs “from the ground up”, working on many levels that include project creation/ project management/ and community out reach. I have organized Master Class workshops with national artists, developed exhibition opportunities for members, and was the Director of the 2007 and the 2008 3- Day Annual Retreat and Conferences. As the Director of the Conference and Retreat, I work to bring influential artists and business professionals to our general membership for lecture & demonstration.
  I am directing the 2009 Retreat and Conference, October 1-4 2009: Carmel Valley, CA

Teaching & Lectures

• 2010 Luminous Layers: Exploring Contemporary Encaustic, juror & invited artist ; 47th Annual Art Festival Lake Oswego, OR
• 2009 Conference: IEA 4th annual Retreat & Conference, Carmel Valley, CA
• 2009 Workshop: Intermediate Encaustic Techniques, Kala Art Institute, Berkeley, CA
• 2009 Lecture: 3rd Annual Encaustic Conference, Montserrat College of Art, Beverly, MA
• 2009 Workshop: "Encaustic Painting: a Contemporary Ancient Art", Esalen, Big Sur, CA
• 2009 Workshop: Working the Surface: Wax Works, Aptos, CA
• 2009 Workshop: Encaustic Collage; Marin MOCA, Novato, CA
• 2008 Lecture: 2nd Annual Encaustic Conference, Montserrat College of Art, Beverly, MA
• 2008 IEA 3rd annual retreat and conference, Carmel Valley, CA
• 2007 Workshop: Encaustic, co-teaching with Daniella Woolf: Lauryn Taylor Fine Art/Hidden Valley, Carmel Valley, CA
  
• 2007 Advanced encaustic: Painting Large Workshop; Lauryn Taylor Fine Art Hidden Valley, Carmel Valley, CA
  
• 2007 Co-teaching with Danilella Woolf: Encaustic Workshop; Westcott Bay Institute, Friday Harbor WA
• 2007 "Collaborati, the Art of Collaboration" lecture: Montserrat College of Art, Beverly, MA
• 2007 Advanced Lecture & Demonstration Workshop, Lauryn Taylor Fine Art/Hidden Valley, Carmel Valley, CA
• 2007 Workshop: Encaustic, Lauryn Taylor Fine Art/Hidden Valley, Carmel Valley, CA
• 2006 Workshop: Encaustic, Lauryn Taylor Fine Art/Hidden Valley, Carmel Valley, CA
• 2006 Workshop: Encaustic, Lauryn Taylor Fine Art/Hidden Valley, Carmel Valley, CA
• 2006 Advanced Lecture & Demonstration Workshop, Lauryn Taylor Fine Art/Hidden Valley, Carmel Valley, CA
• 2006 Guest Lecture: Encaustic Surface, Cabrillo College, CA
  

Gallery Affiliations

• Lauryn Taylor Fine Art, Carmel, CA
• Conrad Wilde Gallery, Tucson, AZ
• Kathleen Mc Mahon Fine Art, San Francisco, CA

Publication

• ArtWorks Magazine; “Hot Wax” Winter 2006 issue