Encaustics
Encaustic paintings involve different waxes to which colored pigments have been added. The hot mixture is applied to a carefully-prepared surface of wood covered with gesso. Then a heat torch is applied to the top layer to fuse and melt one layer into another creating a permanent finish. This technique is perfect for public spaces as the more it is touched the richer the colors become. The encaustic Becoming on the home page background and below on this page is a large 8' x 6' that I would like to donate to a public space. The term encaustic is derived from the Greek meaning a burning in.
Low Tide Medium - Encaustic on prepared woodSize - 12"x 9"Price $350
Much as I try I can not repeat happy accidents. Since I am fascinated by the bubbles that often happen when waves break on the shore at low tide, I messed around with several hot waxes to achieve this molten effect. Then, just for fun, I dropped into the hot wax several alphabetical letters. Some clients enjoy being puzzled. More often puzzles can annoy.
Much as I try I can not repeat happy accidents. Since I am fascinated by the bubbles that often happen when waves break on the shore at low tide, I messed around with several hot waxes to achieve this molten effect. Then, just for fun, I dropped into the hot wax several alphabetical letters. Some clients enjoy being puzzled. More often puzzles can annoy.
Heat DazeMedium - EncausticSize – 8" x8"Price $450
Inspired by work with far east Indian tapestry. 3 layers of wax scumbled in the middle adds to the jewel like effect.
Inspired by work with far east Indian tapestry. 3 layers of wax scumbled in the middle adds to the jewel like effect.
.jpg)
BecomingMedium - EncausticSize - 8' x 6'Price $3,ooo
How can so much beauty and spirit be captured in a work of art? Especially if the medium is slippery and slidey as an encaustic is. This piece was a dream come true. I planned this carefully: I worked on an especially constructed panel carved in an oval shape that seemed dream-like. But to be practical I had it made with a mounting element on the reverse side. To create it I worked slowly with myriad hot waxes that moved as I reheated them with small hand torches and made permanent the flower and clouds dancing together. This is an artwork that I meant for a public space because wax is enhanced by hands touching and rubbing it. I feel that there is magic in this work, a therapeutic element that happened as it was created.
.jpg)
Detail of Becoming
Spring Ups Medium - Encaustic on MasoniteSize - 11" x 12"Price $350
Layering the hot wax suggests lilacs in the spring sun looking so merry was a new way to work with unusual materials. Hot wax, the encaustic painting medium used in Pompey in the first century to create portraits still exist at the Metropolitan Museum.
Layering the hot wax suggests lilacs in the spring sun looking so merry was a new way to work with unusual materials. Hot wax, the encaustic painting medium used in Pompey in the first century to create portraits still exist at the Metropolitan Museum.
Rainy Afternoon Medium - EncausticSize - 8.5" x 12"Price $350
Encaustic layers and colored pencils on notched wooden fragments that fit together or hang separately. This is the story. The sun was setting in front of me I was sitting in the car watching the play of twilight colors, then it started to rain in great sheets of fierce water even though the sky was still peach-colored with great clouds. I went home and drew from my memory of that momentary scene and perceptions. You know I feared I would totally forget what I saw in that precious moment. At the hardware store, there were two pieces of shelving in the trash barrel which I retrieved and began to work seriously on this small one-of-a-kind diptych.
Encaustic layers and colored pencils on notched wooden fragments that fit together or hang separately. This is the story. The sun was setting in front of me I was sitting in the car watching the play of twilight colors, then it started to rain in great sheets of fierce water even though the sky was still peach-colored with great clouds. I went home and drew from my memory of that momentary scene and perceptions. You know I feared I would totally forget what I saw in that precious moment. At the hardware store, there were two pieces of shelving in the trash barrel which I retrieved and began to work seriously on this small one-of-a-kind diptych.
Mast Music (triptych)Medium - EncausticSize - 48" x 32" (open) 24" x 32" (closed)Price $2,500
We lived near the boatyard so I overlooked the mess all seasons. I decided to make a shrine to these masts swaying in the wind and it even seems to sing with a whining sound.To make a three-piece alter construction and use all sides was my mission. In the center, you can see the masts and inside the winter dressing of the boats and the masts around the outside and even the back there's the sky in the clouds. Of course, to begin I had to find somebody to make the wooden object and soon I made a homemade traditional gesso base. I painted the tryptic on both sides so that it would hold the wax then I began painting and drawing.I think of this piece as one of my masterpieces that stands out from my other work during these 50 years. I hope it will be placed in a public spot preferably a lobby where it can be closed at night. If a client collects encaustics this would be a find as far as I know there is no other piece in this shape in the encaustic medium.
We lived near the boatyard so I overlooked the mess all seasons. I decided to make a shrine to these masts swaying in the wind and it even seems to sing with a whining sound.To make a three-piece alter construction and use all sides was my mission. In the center, you can see the masts and inside the winter dressing of the boats and the masts around the outside and even the back there's the sky in the clouds. Of course, to begin I had to find somebody to make the wooden object and soon I made a homemade traditional gesso base. I painted the tryptic on both sides so that it would hold the wax then I began painting and drawing.I think of this piece as one of my masterpieces that stands out from my other work during these 50 years. I hope it will be placed in a public spot preferably a lobby where it can be closed at night. If a client collects encaustics this would be a find as far as I know there is no other piece in this shape in the encaustic medium.