My Artistic Journey

It's About Having Fun...

Art for me is a time to play and experiment.  It's a time to try new things and enjoy the process.  A lot of pieces don't go well.  Some do. The ones that flop get scraped down for another try.  The joy has come in learning to let go of the need of a specific result and just enjoy the process.  

I grew up believing I had no artistic ability. Around the time I was 35, on a whim, I decided to try to draw an image I saw on a piece of junk mail of water being poured into a hand. The difference was that this time I wasn't going to tell myself "I can't."  To my amazement, I did it! It was at that moment I realized I had robbed myself of a joy in life by believing I couldn't do something despite having never really tried. So began an artistic journey to discover what art forms were out there and what I enjoyed.  I tried, graphite, acrylic, oil and many others until I stumbled onto encaustics.  A few youtube videos later, I was in love and so began my relationship with encaustics.

In the many years since that first moment of making space to try, I've learned to have artistic grace for myself.  I've learned to be able to just enjoy creating while not letting the need for a positive opinion of the results be a requirement for that joy. I am free to play.

My career has been quite varied.  I graduated in 1995 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.  I worked as a Software Engineer for a decade before moving into web development and graphic design.  Though I am now retired, I still love programming because it nourishes my technical hunger. I now do light programming, websites and graphic work on a volunteer basis.  I also am a "serious hobbyist" landscape photographer.  Photography was actually my first artistic passion starting when I was a young girl. I migrated to digital in 1999 and over the years have developed my skills in Photoshop to master the digital darkroom requirements inherent to digital photography. It is those photoshop skills that have allowed me to switch between engineering and graphic design work and was also the first hint of my interest in artistic creativity.

I'm honored by your interest and I hope you find something in my work that brings your heartjoy.

Give yourself a chance, you never know where it will take you.

... this time I wasn't going to tell myself "I can't."

A Little About the Encaustic Process....

Painted with Fire

Encaustics is a process and labor intensive art form. The medium is made by combining melted beeswax with a special tree sap (damar resin) which acts as a hardener. The medium is then pigmented to get the desired colors. The painting is created by laying down layer after layer of this pigmented, melted medium. Each thin layer must be fused with heat before the next layer can be added or the painting will flake away. Though a heat gun can be used for fusing work, I usually use a propane torch as I feel it gives me much more control as I'm working so these paintings are literally painted with fire. But with work, the nature of the wax itself and the efforts to layer give a depth and quality quite unlike any other artistic medium. Fully intact and vibrant encaustic paintings have been found dating back to Egyptian times so a finished piece is a durable and lasting piece of art.

Art, Family and Nature

I grew up on a small farm in Tennessee. My family, living off the land, kept bees in addition to our crops and farm animals. I always loved watching my grandfather "rob the bees" as he called it. My father now keeps the bees on this same land. He gives me wax from his hives which I incorporate into some of my work. I love the connection of encaustics with nature and with my family farm.

Guaranteed to Love it

As with all of my encaustic paintings, you can safely purchase to see if a piece brings what you are seeking to your space. If not, you may return the art within 30 days in original condition no questions asked. You will receive a full refund of the purchase price however shipping fees for returns are your responsibility. I take pride in my work and I want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Encaustic Medium Made

Encaustic medium is made by melting natural beeswax with tree sap (Damar resin).  This will give what is considered a clear encaustic medium.  Pigment (either powder or oil paints) can then be added to the melted medium.  It is also possible to buy pre-pigmented encaustic medium. The medium must be kept between 180-200°F to keep it in a liquid state suitable for painting onto a surface.

How Fast Does Encaustic Medium Dry?

Unlike working with regular acrylic, oil and watercolor paints, encaustic medium "dries" nearly instantly.  This is because just like beeswax, the medium is liquid when melted and solid at room temperature.  As soon as a thin layer of melted medium is painted onto the painting, the medium solidifies to a solid state nearly instantly.  

If the Encaustic Medium "Dries" Instantly, How do you Paint?

This is one of the challenges of working with encaustics.  As soon as the melted medium is painted onto a surface, it solidifies giving almost no open working time. A heat source must be used to melt the freshly painted medium.  This not only allows the medium to be reworked, but is also necessary in order to "fuse" the newest layer of medium with the layers below.  I usually use a propane torch as this gives the most control and can quickly melt the medium. My paintings are literally painted with fire.  A painting is created by laying down layer after layer of medium fusing between each layer.  Depending on the effect I'm after, some layers are thick but many are razor thin.

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