Vennema works in the encaustic medium to create luminous multilayered works made from a mixture of beeswax, damar crystals, pigment and found materials. Vennema's work is always evolving as she works in series format to delve deeply into an idea for a long period of time. Ongoing series include "The Boat Series", "House Series" and "Island and Ocean Series". Vennema’s inspiration comes from both the magnificent beauty of the Maine Coast as well as from the process and materials used in encaustic painting. In the “Boat Series”, on going now for over 10 years, she explores the evocative qualities of the archetypal fishing boat, the dory. These boats can still be seen along the Maine coastline and Vennema employs them in her work as a metaphor for the passage of time, for the contrasting desires for adventure and stillness, and for the emotions of hope and loss. Vennema is a long term member of the professional artist’s group New England Wax, and shows regularly with this group in museums and university galleries throughout New England. Her work is in over 150 private collections, as well as Maine Medical Center, Avesta Housing, and Southern Maine Community College. Vennema has a BA in Art History and Studio Art from Oberlin College, and a BFA from the Cooper Union. She resides in both Portland and Swans Island Maine.