Mylen is inspired by color, texture, depth, and random or natural compositions.  The layered textures, space and color variations in the landscape reveal a story and represent metaphors that translates into a painting.  She works in different mediums and uses different techniques – encaustic, printmaking, oil, cold wax, acrylic, ink, oil pastels – but the common denominator is nature.     

The creative process is a relationship between herself and her painting, a constant give and take. Mylen begins by building layers and creating depth as she paints. It usually starts with an image that resonated with her during one of her daily walks.  In addition to a blow torch, she also uses razor blades, carving tools, bristle brushes, oil sticks,  palette knives, adding and subtracting shapes, textures, and colors, to the layer beneath until a whole, unified picture emerges.  

Painting in encaustic provides a strong connection to her mother and late mother-in-law. Both were artists that worked with heat and pigmented wax. Her mother, a retired teacher and ikebana artist, called her technique“melted crayons.” Her late mother-in-law was a graphic designer, painter, and encaustic artist.  Although their styles are different, strong use of color and botanical themes is the common thread that binds them together. The tools they use to fuse the wax are also different, Mylen uses a blow torch, her mother a lit candle and metal flashing while her mother-in-law used a heat gun.