Never Stop Learning: Encaustics!

Since I had to put so much mental energy into the last post, I decided a little respite was in order. So, let's talk about playing!! I love, love, love to take classes. Play with new materials, see how another teacher works, meet new people. The only downside is that I always want to rush out a buy as many new supplies as my arms can carry. Perhaps you can relate!?

I recently took a class with a friend and it was a blast. There was a lot of giggling and exclaiming and a fair amount of "aaahhh-ing." It was a little like recess for grown-ups. In other words, it was awesome. Somehow the smell even took me back to childhood--think melted crayons. Encaustics is an old art form (Greeks and Egyptians old). It is about applying melted wax (with and without pigment) in layers. Papers and other ephemera can be encapsulated in the wax. Tools can scrape or melt the wax. Colors can be applied with pastels. Different kinds of image transfers can be used. So many possibilities.

 

Here is our palette--yummy colors! The tins contain melted beeswax, resin, and pigment. You can brush the wax on your piece or put wax directly on the palette and use a stamp or paper to soak it up. In the upper left corner, you can see the medium (beeswax and resin without pigment) melting.

My friend is using a pastel to add color.

There are several layers here, including tissue paper that was set in a puddle of melted wax on the palette. I adore the huge number 2.

My two finished pieces. 

So, I took the afternoon off. Spent time with one of my favorite people. Had so much fun. Learned something new. Met some interesting folks. My bucket is full. 

A few words of wisdom? If you are a little uncomfortable about taking a class, ask a friend along. And choose your friend wisely. Pick someone who can embrace the messy, unknown aspect of creativity. Pick someone who will get your humor, cheer you on, and love you even when you feel like you made the ugliest project in the room. And don't forget to do the same for her (or him). Don't have a friend like that? Start watching for one. Start being one. You just might find one another in a class. 

Next time: See what happened in my image transfers class.