Trapped in layers

The artist Alicia Tormey is an Encaustic artist who works with layers of wax long with other mediums.  For this piece she has trapped layers of a material (my guess is string) under layers of clear wax.

What do you think of this piece?  Is this something you would like to try?  What type of image would you create if you could trap thin pieces of material between wax?  What material might you use? 

American Parody

I bet I could ask you if you have ever heard of the painting "American Gothic" and you would probably say you have never heard of it.  But if I showed it to you I bet you would not only instantly know it, but you could tell me some other way that you have seen it.  You have probably seen a parody of this famous Grant Wood painting in magazines or on a commercial.  Heck you might have even seen it in an episode of Spongebob.  It is probably one of the most recreated works of art on the planet.  And why not?  It is a fun piece that is easy to use in a joke.

American Gothic by Grant Wood

The top image is the original and the rest are parodies of it.  Can you name me another parody that you have seen using "American Gothic?"  What would you do if you could create a parody of this famous piece?  Would you stick with the original characters or would you swap them out for two completely different people/characters?