Wax Works

Remember back in elementary school, when in art class they used to have you scatter crayon shavings onto a piece of wax paper, then cover it all with a second sheet of paper and iron it into a masterpiece of blended color? As I recall, it was damn fun. That's what Janet Chaffee does for work, except that her waxen creations are intricate, professional and, well, real art. She uses wax, paint, tar, paper and fabric to make unique pieces such as "Like Honey," which features delicate red India ink flowers encased in what looks, of course, like honey. "Cascade" is a mobile-like piece made of spiraling red rings of paper that bring to mind M.C. Escher. Chaffee, who holds an MFA in painting from Texas Christian University, says she seeks to capture the moment to moment, fluid nature of life in order to illuminate the present. View her work in Ruminations at Mighty Fine Arts, 419 N. Tyler St. between 8th and Davis streets in North Oak Cliff. Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays or by appointment. The exhibit is only up through Sunday, so hurry. For more information or to make an appointment, call 214-942-5241.
Saturdays, Sundays, 12-5 p.m. Starts: Dec. 29. Continues through Jan. 6, 2007