A Lovely New Medium for New Directions in My Painting

Last weekend, I attended a 2 day workshop on Beginning Encaustic Painting taught by Sherry Ikeda at the Encaustic Art Institute just north of the Village of Cerrillos, NM, on the Turquoise Highway (NM North 14).  Here is the workshop description:

Encaustic is a Greek word meaning "to heat or burn in" (enkaustikos). Heat is used throughout the process, from melting the beeswax and varnish to fusing the layers of wax. Encaustic consists of natural bees wax and dammar resin (crystallized tree sap). The medium can be used alone for its transparency or adhesive qualities or used pigmented. Pigments may be added to the medium, or purchased colored with traditional artist pigments. The medium is melted and applied with a brush or any tool the artist wishes to create from. Each layer is then reheated to fuse it to the previous layer.

This two-day workshop is open to those who are brand new to the medium, as well as to artists who already have some familiarity and experience working in wax but are looking to refine their technique. Topics covered during this workshop will include: safety, grounds, priming the board, transfers, creating texture and collage and much more.

Sherry taught 6 students over two days and we all had a great experience.  Doug Mehrens, who founded the EAI, provided our class with first class support and facilities.

I learned the basic techniques and produced a number of encaustic paintings, some incorporating collage elements.

I applied wax and heat to some of my pastel paintings applied to wood backings

 

Linda and Erle came from Phoenix, AZ and already had experience with encaustic

Lynne and Paula are artists in Santa Fe and were new to encaustic art

Applying and heating the hot beeswax and resin mixture on the second day



Glenn (an Albuquerque architect) and I working on our encaustic paintings on the first day

























This medium has allowed me to approach my painting in a more liberated way. I don't do abstract painting generally, but this medium has allowed me to expand my painting into the world of fantasy and design. Check out the Encaustic Art Institute's Blog for more paintings and events by encaustic artists.

The Encaustic Art Institute will have an Opening for Member Artists Show May 5th from 1PM - 6PM at the EAI in Cerrillos.  The EAI permanent collection is in the gallery, open to the public Saturday and Sunday, 1-6 PM until September.  



Now you know what that pyramid is to the east of the Turquoise Hwy between Madrid and Santa Fe.