What makes a rock treasure?

Well today in the studio I created two new boxes. I am continuing to work with wax as my main medium for reasons previously stated, though my technique changes with every creation.
In the above piece, the base of the box was lined with various materials such as clay, seeds and a PVA mixture that added a plastic layer. I then poured wax to fill the box and proceeded to work and remove some wax. I think the use of layering creates links to the theory behind my work. Focusing on nature and how a landscape can change over years I feel the layers tie links with the layering of the Earth's surface, the way in which new buildings are built and older are buried, so does the wax become the soil and the clay that was once on the surface, such as many ruins, becomes clouded and lost.
My process also relates to archaeology, I dig into my artwork and discover things that had become lost. I think this adds to the ideology of what history is, after all without evidence history is just a story. It's this idea, or justification that times were different, and I relate this to the emotive senses of historical places. When approaching a historical setting the emotions fight, it is hard to grasp a sense of history, I think humans are beings that live in the moment, we are aware of history but for many of us it does not seem real. I am interested in in the way we interact with land when we know that the place is rooted in history. We pick up a rock from Pompeii and we have found treasure, but we walk past rocks outside our door everyday. What is the attraction and why? Is it to pay homage, respect or is it out of a sense of awe? These are key questions that I deal with within my practice.




As well as tying links between layer and landscape, I see another aesthetic link to the landscape. The surface of my artworks resemble the surface of a landscape, this was unintentional but funnily enough also unavoidable when working with wax. When looking down onto a piece of artwork it is clear to see the links between the contours of the wax and that of the Earth. How do I feel about this? Well this 'happening' is what I would refer to as a beautiful accident. I had not set out to achieve this but now it seems part of the work. I find it strange how sometimes the medium informs the artist of the ideology, but this dialogue is part of being an artist and I find that is always best to listen to the artwork.
I have talked a lot about wax... but what about paint? Well I have used earthy tones of diluted oils over the top of my work, currently I am more concerned about staining the wax rather than painting it. I am simply readjusting colour rather than fussing over painterly techniques. I tend to let the paint drip over the work, allowing it to seep into crevasses within the wax, it is a very free process. I place the paint at point A and it finds its own way to point B. Again, I could relate this to nature and landscape in the way in which old ruins become invaded my nature (the rain, sea and vegetation) but again I'd like to note that this link was not premeditated but it was only after completion of the artwork that I realized the link. Also, I would like to express that the ideas I have about my work is very much my own personal interpretation, artwork has a way of showing different concepts to different people and it is important to me that the audience are able to connect with the artwork in a way that they deem appropriate.
So, here I am again with the question what next? I feel that the boxes are not fully resolved yet, there are secrets yet to be unlocked, so I will continue to create until I find what I'm looking for... Whatever that is! I've also been working on a large scale painting (soon to be uploaded) that still needs to be completed. Many posts lined up over the next few days so keep reading on... as always comments would be great, feedback is always appreciated.