The Gallery Lake Forest has unveiled "Wax Poetic," a solo exhibition featuring the encaustic works of Deerfield-based artist Karen Ross. This marks Ross’s first solo showcase in Lake Forest, highlighting her mastery of the ancient and technically demanding medium of encaustic painting, which involves using heated beeswax and pigments. The exhibition focuses on themes of emergence and the seasonal transition of spring, drawing parallels between the natural world and the physical process of layering and revealing wax.
The show is significant for its exploration of the intersection between fine art and mental health, as both Ross and co-curator Vickie Marasco are deeply involved in the Art Impact Project. As a licensed psychotherapist, Ross integrates the therapeutic value of creative expression into her practice. By bringing this specialized medium to a local North Shore audience, the exhibition underscores the importance of community-based art spaces in fostering regional talent and promoting emotional wellness through visual storytelling.