About Encaustic Encaustic painting has a long history, dating back to the 5th Century B.C. The word encaustic means to burn in, which refers to the process of fusing the paint. Encaustic is Beeswax mixed with pigment, and either Dammar resin or Carnauba wax a hardening agent. The medium is melted between 150F and 170F and can be used raw, in its clear form, or mixed with dry pigments. You can also purchase it pre-made from Encaustic paint manufacturers. Encaustic Medium, and Encaustic paint can only be applied while in its molten form. When it cools it hardens, and it is not workable. Beeswax is archival, and impervious to moisture, Encaustic paintings will not deteriorate, yellow or darken. They do not have to be varnished or protected by glass. Some Encaustic paintings are thousands of years old, their colors are still vibrant, a testament to the longevity of the medium.
I like to use a hot aluminum palette to mix and warm up my paints. I apply them to my substrate while molten. It hardens quickly as it cools, so I need to keep applying heat to it with a heat gun, and or a butane torch to keep it workable. I incorporate other mediums into my pieces such as oil paint, pastels, ink, paper, and photography all of which work beautifully with encaustic medium.
Marshland at Sunset 9" x 12" Encaustic paint, ink, paper Sold
Field of Dreams 48" x 48" Encaustic, oil, framed Sold
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Placid Encaustic, ink, oil, paper on cradled wood panel, natural wood frame 12 x 9" Sold
A Sight to Behold 24" x24" Encaustic, Ink, paper, framed SOLD
Super Moon 24" x 14" Encaustic, ink, paper, collage SOLD
Wild Roses, Nantasket Beach 24" x 18" Encaustic, ink, paper, collage on wood panel Commissioned
Sunset Point Awarded 2nd place for mixed media South Shore Art Center, Cohasset Juried Festival Show 2021 9" x 12" Encaustic, ink, and paper, framed SOLD
Sunset at the Old Pier selected for the 2020 IEA International Juried Show Publication Vignettes in Wax & Words 12" x 9" Encaustic, oil, oil stick, ink, and paper, framed SOLD
Calm 9" x 12" Encaustic, ink, paper, on wood panel, framed SOLD
Forest in Bloom 24" x 12" Encaustic, ink, oil pastel, paper on Masonite, framed SOLD
Silver Linings 12" x 9" Encaustic, oil pastel, paper on a cradled wood panel, framed SOLD
Sunrise 14" X 24" Encaustic, ink, pastel, paper on Masonite panel, framed SOLD