Underwater Goddesses, Gods, Sea & Water Nymphs
Original Mixed Media Art
modern, mid century, and ancient techniques
Historical paintings were often biblical or mythical; Susan’s works follow this tradition.
The God Nereus and Doris, the sea nymph, daughter of Oceanus, had fifty daughters. Nereids were greatly beautiful, even among goddesses.They are described as lovely divinities dwelling at the bottom of the sea, and they were believed to be propitious and helpers to all sailors. Frequently represented in antiquity and in artwork, as youthful, beautiful, and naked maidens, they are often grouped with Tritons and other marine monsters. Sometimes, they appear as half maidens and half fish, like mermaids.
Introducing the artwork of
Susan J Roche
Each original artwork combines modern underwater photography and master printmaking with mid-century photographic retouching techniques. Layers of oils with cold wax, chalks, pastels, gold and silver leaf, oil sticks, and other fine art mediums are meticulously applied by hand.
The work is then finished either with Encaustic — the ancient medium of fire, molten beeswax, resin, and pigment — or through thin, translucent glazing layers that create a sense of depth and luminosity.
Over time, Susan builds layer upon layer, merging wax, pigment, and image until the ephemeral qualities of photography evolve into a richly textural, timeless experience that transcends traditional art boundaries.
Each image begins as a photographic work and evolves into an original with various fine art mediums , created only once, in its unique size and color palette, and never repeated.
Artist Statement
Submerged into a realm where artistry transcends the ordinary. Immerse yourself in a world of elegance, where every detail is crafted with impeccable precision and unrivaled beauty. My work explores the subtle interplay between water, light, texture, and emotion, inviting viewers into moments of quiet contemplation.
Using glazing mediums, building luminous layers, or the ancient medium of encaustic molten wax, along with mid-century techniques of painting over photographs, Roche builds depth as she merges these fine art mediums with the ephemeral quality of modern photography—creating a tactile experience that transcends the boundaries of traditional image-making.
Each piece is a meditation that evokes serenity and healing. Through delicate layering, I seek to capture the essence of peace, inviting viewers to reflect and find solace in the ethereal. My work is an invitation to listen to the soul’s whispers and to discover beauty within the quiet spaces of ourselves.
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