Encaustic Paintings

Blue Paper and Paint 5x5

Gold and Red Geometric 5x5

I felt I had been away from updating my blog for a while, but was embarrassed to see that my last post was in July.  Work (the one that pays the bills) and class/homework has taken a bit of my time and energy, so when I get home, updating my blog isn't the highest priority. 

Copper and Apple 5x5

Japanese Maple 3x3 on Stone Tile

I have been making time to get back into Encaustic (hot wax) painting, though.  There are many aspects to the media that I love.  1) I can't fall back into my comfort zone of realistic painting 2) I have a reason rummage through my stash of gorgeous paper and 3) there is something so enticing about the depth and softeness created by the layers of wax.  My newest paintings are very simple and each has allowed me to play, but without having to commit lots of time (although it does take up a lot of space).

Speaking of space...  I downloaded Sketchup and decided to design my "dream" studio as an attachment to my house.  I started with a small footprint and added storage, shelves, easels, and some furniture so I could engage future clients.  By the time I was done, the original footprint grew to be the same size as my home.  I dream big!!

Surrendering Control

Task List

The end result of my latest paintings were not my vision.  I'm not an abstract painter but this media transformed my approach to painting.  I recently took a class in encaustic (wax) painting.  I tried many different techniques with the wax including collage, layering and scraping to lower colors, etching and filling grooves with paint.


But before I could experiment, I had to be willing to give up any designs I conjured up before starting the painting.  The wax hardens so quickly and the techniques to smooth and soften (iron and heat gun) do not give predictable effects.  As a result, I had to adjust my plans as I progressed.  Each of these paintings has some small part of my original vision, but most evolved over time. If you are looking for a way to learn to let go, encaustics just may be the thing for you.

Are We There Yet?

"Task List":  Many layers of wax manipulated with a heat gun.  Text (my Outlook Calendar dump to a text file) was printed on laser paper and rubbed onto the wax.  Paper then wet and rubbed off.  The hand was etched and filled in with black paint and then painted with oil paint.


"Are We There Yet?" is primarily collage (paper, metal findings) with some etching and rubbing as described above.  Many failed attempts before I finished with this one.

Going Home

"Going Home":  Many layers of colored wax.  Scrapped away to lower colors.  The poem is scrapped in and filled in with various colors of paint.  The water is also embedded with little tiny silver beads.