I acquired two pieces from the same series of encaustics by Leah Read, first a small one, then some months later a larger one. I first saw them on Leah's website after receiving an invitation to her Open Studio. They appealed to me because they were abstract, with few, simple and direct colors. The shapes in the work were circles that seemed to emerge from a white background. They reminded me of bubbles, so the overall effect was of effervescence, like champagne, signaling lightness and joy. The smooth waxy surface of the encaustic appealed to both sight and touch--I could see and feel hints of the underlayers. The larger piece, which was bolder with more black visible around some of the circular shapes, made me uneasy. I acquired it later as one that could be appreciated better from a distance. I've built a narrative from both pieces: the smaller one, with its purer colors and smaller bubbles, reminds me of childhood; the larger one makes me think of later life, with a fuller set of experiences and more awareness of ambiguity. Its colors are similar but less pure, more blended, giving the whole more depth.

I enjoy looking at both works every day. Besides their visual appeal, these and other artworks in the house are reminders of different periods and individuals in my life.