Dana Patterson Roth: The Language of Trees
Dana Patterson Roth: The Language of Trees
Exhibition Dates: September 2 – 28, 2025
Artist Reception Saturday, September 13, 1-3 pm
First Sunday ARTScrawl with demonstration Sunday, September 7, 11-2
For The Language of Trees, Dana Patterson Roth presents a body of work that interprets the visual world through her distinctive encaustic process. Each photograph is mounted on a panel and transformed with layers of hot wax, pigments, and hand-worked markings. The result is an image rich with mood, depth, and texture—an invitation to reflect on the language of the forest.
Roth finds endless inspiration in trees and the stories they tell. She is moved by their resilience, beauty, and quiet presence. Through encaustic photography, she captures evergreens—steadfast through the seasons—deciduous trees as they shift from hopeful spring buds to vibrant summer greens, fiery fall hues, and the stark elegance of winter’s bare branches. Even in decay, trees remain vital and dignified as they return to the earth, offering shelter, nourishment, and quiet lessons in endurance.
A native of New Mexico and long-time Placitas resident, Roth discovered her love for photography as a young girl. She went on to study photography and painting at the University
of New Mexico, the Santa Fe Photography Workshops, and other creative venues. While photography remains her primary medium, she continually explores new ways of deepening her expression. Most recently, encaustic photography has become her focus—an approach that allows the photographer and painter within her to merge seamlessly in a single image.
“I love discovering new ways to express myself through photography and will no doubt continue exploring different processes. However, in recent years, I’ve come to realize that encaustic photography feels like the path I was meant to follow.”
During First Sunday ARTScrawl, September 7, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Roth will demonstrate her process of layering hot wax over an image, selectively scraping to reveal or emphasize details; enhancing the surface with dry pigments, oil sticks, and mark-making techniques.
The artist’s reception will be celebrated with fellowship and refreshments on Saturday, September 13, 1-3 p.m.
Wild Hearts Gallery is an artists’ collective, supported by 14 local artists. Located at 221-B State Highway 165, the gallery is open Tuesday–Friday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday–Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Take a virtual tour of their monthly exhibits at wildheartsgallery.com.
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