encaustic happiness
After a whirlwind of a year thus far, I think I'm finally starting to get caught up. Unpacking and setting up the new house is coming along, done with my Satedan_grabass assignment (whew), *almost* caught up at work, no houseguests, no sicknesses, no traumas. Finally! And just in time. For the next five days I get to attend an encaustic painting workshop. So excited!
Fayum portrait circa 100 AD
So what in the world is encaustic you ask? I'll try to keep this brief, because I can go on and on and on about it. But essentially it is painting with melted beeswax, resin and pigment. It's an ancient art form dating back to the ancient greeks. They used the process to paint statues and ships. The ancient Romans in Egypt used encaustic to paint portraits for mummies. Many still survive in perfect condition. During the middle ages encaustic was used for religious iconography. It fell out of use with the invention of oil paint, but has been making a comeback in the last few decades. Jasper Johns is famous for his wax targets and flag paintings.
This will be my fourth workshop. I haven't had time to paint or experiment with encaustic since last year, so I'm really looking forward to it. It's going to be an awesome 5 days!
Jasper Johns
Daniella Woolf, Beauty's Family I
Sewn eucalyptus leaves, shredded journal pages, encaustic
Shawna Moore, Doubletake
Fayum portrait circa 100 AD
So what in the world is encaustic you ask? I'll try to keep this brief, because I can go on and on and on about it. But essentially it is painting with melted beeswax, resin and pigment. It's an ancient art form dating back to the ancient greeks. They used the process to paint statues and ships. The ancient Romans in Egypt used encaustic to paint portraits for mummies. Many still survive in perfect condition. During the middle ages encaustic was used for religious iconography. It fell out of use with the invention of oil paint, but has been making a comeback in the last few decades. Jasper Johns is famous for his wax targets and flag paintings.
This will be my fourth workshop. I haven't had time to paint or experiment with encaustic since last year, so I'm really looking forward to it. It's going to be an awesome 5 days!
Jasper Johns
Daniella Woolf, Beauty's Family I
Sewn eucalyptus leaves, shredded journal pages, encaustic
Shawna Moore, Doubletake