How people describe my encaustic wax artworks
Admiring encaustic wax artworks
One of the loveliest parts of welcoming visitors into my studio is hearing how they respond to my encaustic artwork.
Recently, several people have described my work as subtle, soft, romantic, fuzzy and blurry. I find these words fascinating because they capture something about encaustic art that can be difficult to explain until you experience it in person.
Encaustic painting is created using layers of beeswax, damar resin and pigment. Each layer is fused with heat, building a surface that has depth, texture and a beautiful luminosity. Images and marks can appear crisp in one area and softly obscured in another, as though they are floating beneath the wax.
The dreamy effect of encaustic wax
Other words that have been used to describe my work include dreamlike, hazy, ethereal, misty, atmospheric, delicate, veiled, muted, tactile and luminous. Some people say the imagery feels as though it is emerging through a memory, or slowly disappearing into one.
I particularly love the word quiet. My work often asks the viewer to pause, move closer and notice the details. There may be fine incised lines, translucent layers, partially hidden shapes or unexpected textures that only reveal themselves with time.
Gentle edges and softness of encaustic wax.
The word fuzzy might not traditionally be used in the art world, but I think it perfectly describes the gentle edges and softened imagery created by the wax. There is something comforting and familiar about it. Encaustic does not always reveal everything at once; it leaves room for curiosity, emotion and personal interpretation.
Getting up close and personal
Each person brings their own memories and experiences when viewing art, so the same piece may feel nostalgic to one viewer, mysterious to another and calming to someone else. That is one of the things I love most about creating artwork, the meaning does not end when a piece leaves my hands.
Soft, atmospheric and quietly tactile
My encaustic work is soft, atmospheric and quietly tactile. Through luminous layers of wax, the imagery seems to float between what is visible and what is hidden, inviting you to slow down, look closely and discover your own connection to the piece.
What words come to mind when you look at my encaustic artwork?