ARTIST STATEMENT ON THE ‘ODE TO HOME’ SERIES:

Ode to Home

 

This series is so dear to my heart. During its evolution I recognized how sacred home is to me, and how it’s the one place where I feel in full control of my life. As the world started to change, so did my understanding of home. I became aware that home is where I feel most like myself, where love is limitless, where my needs are met, where I heal from life’s disappointments, where I can speak my truth, and where I can choose peace. I can choose what type of energy I want to be surrounded by.

 

I clearly began to understand that every belonging can contribute to cultivating this energy, or it can disrupt it. Every visitor can do the same. It’s an empowering feeling knowing there is a space that can be exactly how you imagine it to be.

 

My home is my place of REFUGE.

 

Gifting yourself or someone with a piece from this series can support setting a meaningful intention or a special reminder that home can be the exact refuge we need. We all need a safe place to land, away from all the chaos and toxic noise of the world.

 

ARITST BIO:

I am Jannet Haitas, a Toronto based artist, inspired by creating art that encourages others to connect and honour their life journey.

 

I grew up with fierce parents who showed me that if you work hard you can make anything happen. So in 2008 when I saw my first encaustic painting, I knew I had to commit to exploring this medium. I’ve always felt artistic, but up until that point, I never found “my thing”. With that life lesson from my parents and my innate curious nature, a love affair began and I was instantly lost in the medium and its magic.

 

Painting has been a source of healing for me. It has helped me see and understand myself in new ways. Painting makes me feel present in the world and the most at home within myself. The time I spend in my studio is an extraordinary gives gift, which I don’t often get to experience – it is time solely focused on me.

 

As I found my voice through my art, I was encouraged by family and friends to share my work with others. When I decided to take this risk, I knew I had found a new means to connect. I’ve always been drawn to deeply understanding the people that cross my path, to seeing, knowing, and celebrating their journey.

 

I’ve had the great honour of seeing people tear up in my presence while experiencing my art. I often wonder if that’s a result of feeling seen and understood. I intentionally create art that serves as a tool to acknowledge an important event, a nostalgic memory, or want or need in someone’s life. I want to honour where we are in our journeys.

 

I have two primary approaches to my work: abstract and photography. My pieces are crafted with materials such as pigmented wax, photos, ink, and other delicious finds. Each piece has from 10 to 40 layers of beeswax.

 

ABOUT ENCAUSTIC:

Encaustic has a long history, dating back to 100BC. It is an ancient process developed by the Greeks and literally means “to burn” or to “burn in”. Encaustic involves melting beeswax with damar resin (crystalized tree sap) to create the medium then adding pigment to create the paint. The paint is then brushed on when it is hot and each layer is fused (or re-melted) to adhere the layers together.

 

Because the beeswax is sealed to moisture, encaustic paintings will not deteriorate. There should be no fear of the work melting in normal household conditions. The beeswax and resin will not melt unless exposed to temperatures over 160 degrees fahrenheit.

 

Hanging a painting in front of a window with direct sunlight is not advisable. Some encaustic colours may tend to become cloudy over time. If this occurs, simply rub the surface with a soft cotton cloth or a nylon stocking. Over time the surface remains its gloss as the wax medium continues to cure and harden up to 3 years.