More often than we realize, things discarded-objects, ideas, people-can be salvaged; given a new life if we pause a moment to see beyond our familiar lens to their true beauty and essence. While every life is a roller coaster ride of ups and downs, artist Sharon Mirtaheri found a way to salvage her own self-worth through the layers of making art. Her story encourages us to rise above circumstances that would just as easily keep us small; to turn to the unconditional love of nature; to give of our own gifts to those less fortunate and to come to understand no one can believe in ourselves for us.

Sharon takes us through her discovery of encaustic collage and shares stories of the life that inspired the art; how she uses her personal metaphoric library of symbols-birds, trees, plants-to heal deep wounds; questions based on principles of design that every artist can ask him- or herself about any composition, as well as an in-depth tour of her own encaustic-painting process.