Encaustic Painting

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        Encaustic is an ancient medium meaning-Encaustikos“to burn in”. Three thousand years ago Greek shipbuilders discovered a new use for the beeswax they used to caulk the hulls. By adding pigments for color and resin for hardness, they created a painting medium with an unusual depth and luminosity. Before long, encaustic art could be found everywhere, from painted ships to depictions of everyday life on urns, even applied to family statuary to render a lifelike glow.

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        A thousand years after the Greeks discovered it, painters from Egypt resurrected the medium, crafting exquisite portraits to decorate their patron mummies. The modern resurgence of encaustic painting began in the early 20th century. Diego Rivera began painting with encaustics in the 1920’s and in the 1950’s Jasper Johns further popularized its use.

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        Encaustics durability is due to the fact that beeswax is impervious to moisture. It will withstand time; it will not yellow, fade, darken and does not need to be protected by glass. Polish once a month with a soft cloth and see it shine.

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        The magic of this ancient art form consists of beeswax, tree resin, and colored pigment; applied hot with a paintbrush, each layer of wax is fused together with a blowtorch creating beautiful luminescent works of art. The result is a painting uniquely translucent, with a lush surface that is simultaneously sensual and contemplative.