Encaustic inspiration

Janet Miller

Marie Pearson

I went to my first art workshop in a year or so yesterday. It had been so long since I sat down in a drawing studio and just painted with a group of people. Needless to say, it was very inspiring...mostly because I got to experiment with encaustics.

Janet Miller

Marie Pearson

My friend from graduate school, Marie, introduced me to this wax painting technique. I remember going to her house in Southeast Portland and seeing the waxy paintings drying in the sunlight. Tiny canisters of wax placed around the room, preparing for the next layer of color and texture to be added to the canvas. The way she adds subtle texture with the wax to such simple design, is stunning to me (especially now that I've tried it). And... did you know that you can carve into the wax? Carving away color makes my potter's 3D heart beat wildly.

I also love these Janet Miller  encaustics. She's from Seattle (note the Pacific Northwest influences) and I just eat up the layers of muted colors.. I wish I had studied both of these more before I made mine. I'm hesitant to show it to you because it's still in process. But maybe I can get some feedback? I'd love whatever you've got...

In process, by Nell