I'd love to take you inside my home art studio near the shore town of Cape May, New Jersey. Watch the entire video below and experience my creative environment and process. And hear how I get inspired to create my original encaustic paintings.
Grace, 20x16
It all started with Grace...I was so excited to paint this piece for an exhibition at Art Space in West Cape May this summer. This would have been my first in-person showing and despite being an introvert I looked forward to meeting new people and sharing my work. But as the global pandemic rocked our collective world, replacing social IRL with social distancing this exhibition, the exhibit among many things, was cancelled.
Hope, 11x14
PEACE was the theme of the exhibit. The more I explored this concept, the connection between peace and surrender became clear. Welcoming a positive state of surrender, opens the door to the desires and related emotions that lie beneath.
Jasmine, 11x14
Wispy brushstrokes of wax and closed eyes connect this feminine tribe who quietly whisper their surrender experience to viewers. These original encaustic paintings transform spaces with beauty, depth and wonder.
Sena, 11x14
The Surrender Collection releases on April 30 at 9:55 am EST. Those on my email list are granted early access to purchase. I invite you to view the entire collection of original paintings and discover the perfect piece for your space or gifting to your favorite art lover.
]]>My encaustic paintings are made with filtered beeswax, damar resin (a tree sap that acts as a hardening agent), and pigments. Painting in layers, I fuse each layer with the a blow torch and sometimes a heat gun or iron based on my desired effect. The fusing process allows each layer of wax to bond together creating strength and durability.
Encaustic paintings have a long history, used throughout ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian cultures. Encaustic means 'to burn in', that happens when the paint is fused by a heat source. The durability of beeswax makes it resistant to moisture and will not breakdown or yellow and darken over time. Encaustic paintings are naturally archival and do not need to be varnished or protected by glass.
Use care when hanging, transporting or storing your encaustic painting, as you would any fine art.
Hang and store at normal room temperatures. Avoid freezing and extremely hot temperatures. At 120ºF wax can get soft and shift. Melting will start at 150°F / 65°C. Extreme cold can cause a painting to shatter if dropped.
Encaustic is archival but should be kept out of direct sun - as with any artwork. Move encaustic art if the surface becomes warm. Inside, encaustic should remain cool to the touch.
A hot car is not a friend to your encaustic artwork. When packing encaustic art for transportation, cover the face of the painting with wax paper. Do not use bubble wrap directly on the front of the painting as it may leave an imprint on the surface. For shipping, build a box the right size for the painting.
Encaustic does not need to be protected by glass. My original paintings are on cradle wood panels that are ready for hanging. A floater frame is an attractive option that also protects the edges of the painting from scratches, dents, and chips.
Wax will cure or continue to harden during the first 6-12 months. During this process, an encaustic painting may develop bloom – a natural occurring white haze. This can also happen, if a painting is exposed to cold. Bloom can easily be removed by buffing the surface of the painting. Encaustic paintings can be buffed to a high gloss using a soft, lint-free cloth. If the original sheen has become dull over time, it can be brought back by repeating the buffing process. Once an encaustic painting has fully cured and hardened, bloom will shed.
Encaustic paintings are extremely durable. The wax is a natural preservative, moisture resistant, repels mildew and insects, plus it's solvent free. So with the proper care, your encaustic work of art will remain as fresh as the day painted.
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When I became a certified Pilates instructor (before it was mainstream...known to only models, actors and elite athletes), I had to explain and educate folks on what it was, how it wasn't yoga, and the sculpting, toning and core benefits. And that was all before I got to the good stuff of teaching!
This was the same for my career in digital marketing. The level of education was different depending if I was talking to a client or my aunt. But my varied job titles within marketing have left people scratching their heads or saying "oh that's nice!"
So I've learned to keep things simple.
As an encaustic artist, I paint with wax and fire. And while it's not the full picture, for those not familiar with encaustic it sparks curiousity.
Here's more...encaustic is a fine art medium made of beeswax, damar resin, and pigment. The fire (or in my case blow torch or iron) is used to bond each layer of wax creating a permanent seal. Encaustic is naturally archival and very durable - making it the perfect addition to your wall space. It's been used in ancient Roman, Greek and Egyptian cultures including funeral portraits that still last today.
I'm personally transfixed by the warmth, smell, glossy sheen, and texture. Encaustic can be manipulated in so many ways and my own process holds many 'tricks' to achieve my desired aesthetic.
You may be thinking that's interesting...but won't it melt? Fear not, with proper care and transport your original encaustic art will last a lifetime. Get the details on how to care for your encaustic art.
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