Three dimensions, memories create finalist

Virginia Morrisseau said normally when she creates her encaustic paintings, she works within a space that is 18 by 24 inches.

In galleries, encaustic paintings are much larger.

That's why the Lindenhurst resident said it is unusual that she chose this art form -- in which she uses a knife instead of a paintbrush to work with beeswax and oil paints -- to create a postcard.

"I had to manipulate on a 4-by-6-inch piece. I feel it's a challenge, and it's so different from anything you would see," she said.

But her postcard titled "Jamaica Bay" was among the entries that wowed the judge and was selected as a finalist.

Morrisseau said she had visited Jamaica over 20 years ago, but when she was creating initial sketches to decide what to send, memories flooded back to her of what she saw there.

"We've got water. The old buildings were very colorful. It would be a good composition and (would) invite someone to go there," she said.

Morrisseau was surprised, after entering the competition for only her second time, to be chosen a finalist.

But she said it may be that the judge recognized how many hours it takes to create this type of work, as well as the uniqueness of the three-dimensional work that caused it to be honored this year.

"The fact it has a three-dimensional feeling would put it a step ahead of the others," she said.

-- Abby Scalf