On view at Micro Gallery 5, 2300 Eucalyptus Ave, Long Beach, CA 90806.
Opens Saturday 8/1 and continues through to 8/31/26.
I first started working with beeswax in the mid 1990s, but took quite a long hiatus until 2024 to pick it up again. I’d been looking for an opportunity to use it in a more 3D application, and I also wanted to see what the forces of temperature and time might have on such a work. I’d seen part of a work that had inadvertently melted in a micro gallery, which sparked the idea for this project. I wanted to melt away the wax part of the work to reveal something embedded within and document the process. Since I won’t be exhibiting in that same micro gallery at the same time of year, I obviously won’t know if this will work the way I hope it will, but that is also part of the project.
The wax figurine didn’t have to be a cat, but I decided to stay on brand. I used a silicone mold, and it worked with the beeswax really well. The base is there to catch and distribute any melted wax, and the painted patterns on the base are supposed to evoke the radiation of energy and heat.
“It’s What’s Inside”, Mixed media on wood panel, 10″w x 6″h x 10″d
8/1/26, 10am – installed!
I decided to cover the walls in black velvet for a more dramatic effect. If it also happens to make the interior hotter, all the better! I am planning on taking progress pics at least once a week, so we’ll see how this goes. I should’ve gotten a little thermometer for the inside, but alas, thought of it too late.
8/1/26, 6pm – opening reception
I was super-excited to see that the wax had melted! The cat figurine looked like it was starting to bow. By 6pm the wax had stopped melting, so I imagine the hottest part of the day was the 2-5pm timeframe. It was gratifying to see the proof of concept.
8/3/26, 10am – progress check
I was in the area visiting some friends so decided to check in on the little dude, and was delighted to see that there had been further meltage (now at full face plant with the embedded item becoming more visible). At this rate, the wax will probably be fully melted by the end of the month! The plan is to check in on it at least once a week, preferably after dark for better photographs.
8/5/26, 10:22am – progress check
My friend, Carol Clark, who lives in the area sent me this shot. Getting into full face plant mode!
8/8/26, 12:02am – progress check
My friend and fellow LB artist Kellie Crackle snapped this shot:
8/14/26, 9:24am – progress check
You can really see the moat filling up, and the original cat shape is unrecognizable. Thanks to Carol Clark for this one!
8/21/26, night time – progress check
Fellow artist Hausofprinz snapped this great progress pic at night–thank you! What’s inside is really being revealed.
8/26/26, 9:05pm – progress check
I finally managed to get over there at night to snap some pics. It’s almost done now!
Stephanie Han Art & Design 