The Artist & The Process
The Artist
Encaustic painting is a passion that came to Pat later in her life. She started this journey in Seattle at the Pratt Fine Arts Center about 20 years ago. Without a formal fine arts degree, she took every opportunity to learn from professional artists by attending classes and workshops. After years of dedication to understanding the complexity and sheer diversity of the medium, she was able to finally produce paintings that resonated with her and that demonstrate the amazing versatility achievable with beeswax.
Of particular interest to Pat when making a painting are color, texture and the sculptural effects that are possible. Some paintings are 3 dimensional and some are made with a touch of humor added in. Many of her paintings are made on commission through consultation with her clients to include their preferences in colors, subjects and styles.
Pat works at her home studio. She has exhibited her work at the former Maple and Main Gallery in Chester, CT and in various venues throughout CT and PA. Commissioned works reside in private homes throughout New York and New Jersey.
The Process
Encaustic painting dates back thousands of years to the Egyptians. Their artisans painted the faces of the deceased onto the wooden caskets using this medium. Examples may be viewed at the Yale University Art Gallery in New Haven, CT.
Encaustic paint is made from beeswax with the addition of pigments for color and damar resin to increase durability. The hot wax medium is applied to a solid surface with brushes or other tools. While still warm, the material may be molded, scraped or embedded with all sorts of objects and materials. Each layer applied is heated to fuse it to the previous layer.
Once several layers are applied, the translucent quality of the untinted medium allows you to peer into the painting to see the details below the surface. Once hardened, the surface may be polished to a soft sheen.
The possibilities for creating are endless and limited only by the artist's imagination. Encaustic will accept photo transfers and fabric. It can be built up in layers for sculptural effects and molded into shapes. Stenciling and wirework can be added or the surface can be texturized with tools.
