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With work that references teachings from Zen Buddhism, Christian mysticism, the poetic traditions, and contemplative practices including yoga and meditation, Dietlind Vander Schaaf’s artwork has been described as “the transformation of disparate objects into elegantly simple compositions of pattern and grace” (Artscope).
“I have explored many different media over the years, including mosaic, acrylic and oil paint. Currently I am working primarily with the encaustic medium. It has incredible fluidity and allows me to achieve balance between color and form.”
Dallas artist, Elizabeth Schowachert came to encaustics through The Encaustic Center in Dallas run by Bonny Leibowitz. She explains, “I had always been interested in the medium, loved the look of encaustic paintings and decided to give it a try. I took a beginning class, and several studio days working with Bonny. I had been painting with Acrylic and Oil in the past, once I started painting with wax I never looked back. I just love the medium.” In using Encausticbord, Elizabeth found that the surface, being made especially for wax has terrific absorbency and doesn’t produce bubbles, and the panels look professional.
Below, Elizabeth demonstrates her work and process on Encausticbord™ with encaustics and R+F pigment sticks.
To see Elizabeth’s work in person, she has work at the Texas Visual Arts Association Gallery, “Driven to Abstraction” and she will have pieces at the encaustiCon 2014 Miami Melt in October at the Bakehouse Art Complex. You can also find Elizabeth online at her website and YouTube channel.
All things Ampersand,
Karyn Meyer-Berthel
Artist & Social Media Specialist
Ampersand Art Supply
Click here to explore the full selection of Ampersand panels and tools.
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| It’s not you, It’s me, Oil and Encaustic on Gessobord, 16″ x 20″ 2011 |
Artist Leslie Pierce will have an upcoming show “Code Defied” at Space 4 Art in San Diego, CA opening on September 13 from 6-9 pm and running through September 20, 2014.
You can find out more about Leslie’s projects and workshops on her website: www.artistlesliepierce.com
All things Ampersand,
Karyn Meyer-Berthel
Artist & Social Media Specialist
Ampersand Art Supply
Click here to explore the full selection of Ampersand panels and tools.
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| Somnus, encaustic on Encausticbord by Franciso Benitez, 16″ x 32″, 2011 |
Francisco Benitez works in encaustic and also in oils, creating luminous portraits with a classical touch.
He divides his time between Europe and Santa Fe and you can find him online through his website, blog, Facebook and Twitter.
Francisco’s current gallery representation at the Chase Gallery in Boston, MA, and at the Galleria d’Arte Quadrifoglio, Siracusa, Italy.
Click here to explore the full selection of Ampersand panels and tools.
Palettes and Heat
A heated surface is used to hold cups of paint or to mix color right on the surface. For health and safety, the recommended working temperature is between 180–220 F. This is the R&F 16″x16″ palette with attached brush holder and heating element. It is made with a sheet of 3/8″ aluminum alloy and has been anodized to prevent reactivity that could discolor pigments. Adjustable Legs make for easy leveling of the palette. Brushes, thermometer, and palette cups are sold separately.
To clean brushes after use, keep a container of soy wax on your palette. Work your brushes in the wax and wipe clean. Soy wax (actually partially hydrogenated soybean oil) is an excellent alternative to paraffin for cleaning brushes for several reasons. Soybeans are a renewable resource, unlike paraffin, which is a petroleum product. Soy wax is non-toxic, burns cleaner than paraffin, and is naturally biodegradable. Soy wax is also easier to remove than paraffin wax, so after the color has been cleaned out of the brush, the brush can be washed with soap and water and is reusable in other mediums.
Cold ToolsWhere to find Encaustic Tools:
Palettes, brushes, cold tools, heated tools from Ampersand
Heating tools from Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch
Supplies from Wax Works West
Click here for more information on Encaustic Resources.
All things Ampersand,
Karyn Meyer-Berthel
Artist & Social Media Specialist
Ampersand Art Supply
Click here to explore the full selection of Ampersand panels and tools.