Energetic Encaustic Aftermoon

My demo #1
Photo transfer, encaustic, and collage on Claybord

Today's workshop at my studio, "Mind Your Own Beeswax", was a riot of energy and creativity. Five women fused up a storm. I love how they each used encaustic in different ways and came up with such rich and lively work. Above is one of my demo pieces, done over one that didn't turn out and has been sitting in a drawer for a couple of years. I love how encaustic work can always be redeemed.

New View of Delft (Demo # 2)
Encaustic and vintage pattern paper on wood panel

This demo piece was also done over a reject from years past. I added quite a few layers of new paint and scraped away to the original painting in the central image.

The piece below is a demo that consists of clear encaustic medium over blender pen transfers. The transfers were done on the bare board panel before applying the wax.

Demo # 3
Photo transfers, encaustic medium, vintage postage stamp, teabag

Demo # 4
Homage a Manet
Encaustic on wood panel

I did the above painting earlier in the week, using beeswax mixed with microcrystalline wax. Again, I rescued an old reject and completely redid it.

Now--on to the exciting student work from today:

Kris' second piece today. She figured out how to use the wax in a very
painterly way, and we all think she should keep it just as it is!

Kris' first piece is in progress. She didn't intend to do a face
but it appeared before her eyes as the wax dried, so she
decided to go with it! She also experimented with splashing drops of water
on top of a new encaustic layer, and then fusing, which resulted in the interesting effects you see nearthe bottom of the piece and on the far right.
Cool effect!

The students found that after their first piece, they loosened up a lot. They found out how forgiving encaustic is, and how fun it is to experiment--you can always change it later, just scrape it down and wax over it.

Karen's first piece, very lovely.

For Karen's second piece, she let loose. She did a lot of incising
and added 3-D embellishments. She said she was frustrated by
the small holes that appeared in the wax. She decided to exaggerate
the effect, rather than try to eliminate it, so she added lots of little
holes in areas around the picture. This piece makes me joyful.

Jennifer's first piece is still in process. She began with a structured flower
and then loosened it up with layers of clear beeswax medium. She's
going to explore the processes of shading and layering some more. I'd say she's off to a great start here!

Jennifer relaxed a lot for her second piece, and did this

great Tuscan style view in a very short time!

K.J.'s second piece is this elegant and serene Asian style
landscape. She too, found her second piece went quickly.

We all talked about how the creative process involves entering into "the chaos" and the uncertainty. I often find that my own process goes something like, "Make it, like it, do a little, wreck it, fix it." Sometimes this is repeated many times before it the piece sings.

K. J. did the piece below as her first. After it was finished, she made a "mistake" and worried she'd ruined it. She put it aside and went back to it, ending up with a piece even better than before. (K.J. remember what I said, Don't touch it now--it's done!)

K.J.'s dreamy landscape

KC went to town and did four pieces. The above piece
she had planned, to showcase an image on papyrus
that she got in Egypt. She found that encaustic and papyrus
fight a bit, but she persevered and got this lovely image.

This piece of KC's contains blender transfers, a piece
of vintage dress pattern, vintage postage stamps,
and loose tea. The pattern lines add great movement to
the piece.

KC recently married her sweetheart (a great guy!--SB)
She was tickled by this postcard of a bride with the legend

below: "She was blissfully unaware of her peril"

KC surrounded her card with pink encaustic paint, and some
of the glittery spangles used instead of rice at her wedding. She sealed these with clear medium. When she sealed the bride card, the wax made
a nice shadow over part of the bride's face, suggesting the front of her veil, or maybe a sense of impending doom.)

KC had a blast with bright color and with using the fusing torch
as a partner in creation of this vivid landscape.

The five fiery ladies and I are planning another get-together next month--can't wait!