30” x 22” x 1” | Mixed Media, Photo-Encaustic, Silver Wire, Hemp Twine, Crystals, Glass Beads, and Oil Pastels on Wood Panel

Inspired by the layered history and evolving charm of Pittsburgh’s North Side, The Sweet Legacy offers a deeply textured and dynamic glimpse into a moment captured during a neighborhood walk. This mixed-media photo-encaustic piece presents a unique perspective from West Park, looking over the bridge across the railroad tracks toward the iconic Clark Candy building and factory, framed by the city skyline beyond.

Through layers of encaustic wax, the photograph is transformed into a dreamlike tapestry, inviting viewers to step closer and explore the intricate details of the imagery. The juxtaposition of railroad tracks, historic structures, and contemporary buildings creates a narrative of time—bridging the past, present, and future of Pittsburgh. The railroad tracks, symbolic of connection and industry, lead the eye toward the Clark Candy building, a testament to the city’s sweet legacy of craftsmanship and innovation, while the modern skyline rising behind tells the story of renewal.

The use of silver wire and hemp twine introduces elements of strength and connection, grounding the work in the physicality of its industrial subject. Crystals and glass beads add a delicate, light-catching dimension, symbolizing the hidden gems of history and progress within the urban landscape. Oil pastels bring subtle yet vibrant accents, highlighting the interplay between old and new, gritty and polished, manmade and natural.

The tactile quality of the piece mirrors the sensory experience of the neighborhood walk that inspired it—textures of the bridge underfoot, the interplay of light and shadow on the tracks, and the layered stories of the buildings in view. The encaustic medium’s depth encourages viewers to linger, searching for the details within the photograph embedded in the wax, much like uncovering the hidden treasures of the city itself.

The Sweet Legacy is both a tribute to Pittsburgh’s historic North Side and a reflection on the enduring beauty of change and continuity, inviting viewers to contemplate the stories and legacies etched into the city’s landscape.