With wax and richly colored pigments melted over fire, featured artist Arlene Piacquadio explores the colors and emotions that come with diving into unknown artistic territory. She describes her style as lyrical abstraction, stating, "Lyrical abstraction has something to say, and it often takes on the dynamics of psychological exploration. My paintings may vary widely in visual effects, but all share a similar intent: evoking feelings of essence-and that all-important connection to higher, more esoteric worlds."

When Arlene moved to Rhode Island from New York several years ago, she was ready for a change. Throughout a career in counseling psychology, art and creativity had always been present. A long-time oil painter, jeweler, and ceramicist, Piacquadio had studied at Marymount, The New School, RISD and with various artists. When she discovered encaustic painting, she discovered both a new medium and a new home and gallery—The Artists' Cooperative Gallery of Westerly. She explains, " My art had transformed as my life had." She went on to be the President of ACGOW for 8 years.

The theme 'Seeing Red, Feeling Blue" made her think of the courage it takes to be an artist, resulting in "Deep Dive", the largest encaustic she has created, measuring 30" x 24". She explains the work as going into the unknown, "because we never know where we are going until we end up there."