ENCAUSTIC - WAX classes in Australia

Find out what the ' buzz ' is all about

' In A Spin ' 2013

2015  -  Upcoming CLASSES &  WORKSHOPS

Workshop weekends:   10am - 4pm both days

Encaustic-Wax  Foundations Weekends - 5/6 Sept & 10/11 Oct

Encaustics & Paper (day only)  -  Sun 30 August  & Sat 24 Oct

Classes: Start Wed 1st April  9.30am – 12.30pm  Note: Other days may also be available soon     Please enquire for further info or private classes          

Where:   TBA   

Costs:   From $60 - 3 hr group class ( min 2 sessions)                                                       

Wax mediums & most materials are included in fee

Contact:  0455 721885

E:  jackiarch52@gmail.com

See more on my website here:   http://www.jackiarchibald.com/art-classes.html

Encaustic-Wax intro art classes 2014    Term 2 starting soon  

Where:  TBA

Dates:    After Easter - from 23rd April   Note: Other days may also be available soon
When:    Wednesdays  9.30am – 12.30pm 

Cost:      Please enquire for details (Suggest a min. 2 sessions & choose which days suit )  

Contact:     E:  jackiarch52@gmail.com   P:  0455 721885  

Advantages :  
                         *  Tutor is a qualified art teacher with years of encaustic experience 
                         *  Various techniques explored with unlimited uses 
                         *  Incorporate your own other artwork eg. prints   
                         *  Small classes with most materials & equipment supplied
                         *  Enjoy creative fun in a quiet & bushy environment    

' Poles Reflection ' 2013

  Encaustic means 'to burn'  & here's more about painting

Encaustic is one of the oldest painting techniques, dating back to the 4th Century BC. The technique was used in the Fayum mummy portraits from Egypt and in early icons. Encaustic Wax also harkens back to the days of Trojan ships when they would coat the exterior of their ships with encaustic paintings in order to not only decorate their transportation, but to seal the ship against the harsh sea elements. The art form has seen a resurgence in recent years with the influence of 20th century American artists including Jasper Johns and the desire of artists’ and craftsperson’s worldwide to explore versatility and mixed media potential in their artwork.                               
Encaustic is both a paint medium and a technique; the medium is a wax based paint consisting of beeswax, damar resin and pigment. The technique involves heating the wax to a melted state and applying it to a support, ensuring the layers are fused with heat. The paint is manipulated with metal or heated tools, such as irons, hot air guns, and metal spatulas and brushes.
Care & cleaning: The durability of encaustic is due to the fact that beeswax is impervious to moisture. Because of this it will not deteriorate. Encaustic paintings do not have to be varnished or protected by glass. Over time, due to the resin added to the wax, encaustic cures and the surface hardens. Under normal temperatures, the painting will remain stable. Like all fine art, it is best not to expose it to direct sunlight or excessive heat, avoid temperatures below 1.7 degrees Celcius or above 48 degrees. It is not wise to leave it in your car for any length of time, especially on either a hot or cold day. The surface of encaustic is somewhat like a candle so don’t be afraid to touch it. Although the surface is completely dry, encaustic paintings can be scratched, gouged, or chipped if handled roughly and should be treated carefully. When moving the painting do protect the surface and edges.                                 As the wax cures, an encaustic painting may develop a film on the surface. This is a natural process called bloom and is easily removed, along with shallow scratches, by wiping the surface with a soft cloth. Once a year, give it a gentle dusting or buffing with a lint free soft cotton cloth to maintain the unique patina of the wax.                                     

  

Encaustic-Wax with Shawna Moore from USA

Still coming down from the clouds after my recent event in Melbourne with a master of this medium. THANK YOU   THANK YOU   THANK YOU  Shawna Moore

Here she is sharing lots of her experience & demonstrating some fine techniques with R&F encaustic paints & oil sticks.   Wow what colours there are !

 



                 

I am so happy I managed to overcome many challenges of a workshop situation to discover my own painterly style once again. A bit reminicent  of the Aussie expressionist artist Andrew Sibley whose work I've always  admired !

My strong desire to develop this amazing medium further was made possible by Shawna's encouragement along with subtle methods she demonstrated so well.

Probably what made it even better was the experience of being in Fitzroy for 5 days. All the historical character buildings and so many interesting & individual shops. 

'IN A SPIN'

'LITTLE PINKY'

'OUTBACK STORM' detail

Our workshop studio in Fitzroy Melbourne

Happy artist Amanda

Great efforts go into arty Fitzroy shopfronts & the shops are all different

Just a taste of some streets around Fitzroy

SHIBORI SUCCESSES

Sharing some of my dyeing & sewing achievements from the last week after my exhibition !  

Developing Karim Klothing further so appreciate your feedback

Last week I made this dress from some of my dyed crepe silk pieces 

I think I'll have to keep this one myself as it feels great with one my seude wrap belts   

    I also did my screen print over one of the large scarves that I dyed magenta & red

Pretty pleased with this nightdress I sewed together from the 2 scarves

Can't wait to give it to my friend's daughter for her honeymoon

Looks good even from the inside.   It's so easy so now I need to make lots more  !

Couldn't let any dye go to waste, so I recyled an old white skirt 

Pity it's too small for me now & have to give it to my daughter

Our ' Branching Out ' EXHIBITION is a big success

Here are some pics before we had nearly 300 people through over 3 days 

@ Richard Randall Studio, Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens in Toowong, Brisbane

View from front counter & my display of KarimKlothing 

I was amazed to meet a couple with the middle eastern surname KARIM which means 'generous'

My Encaustic-Wax artworks on the back wall - SOLD seven pieces

Our hanging discs displayed at the front window with some real birds nests found

My sister Pam Black's artworks - SOLD

 

Sandra Pearce's colourful 'Pods' display

( sorry I'm unable to portray it the right way up )

My triptych painting 'I Spy' - SOLD

More snippets of our show to follow soon 

Exhibition this weekend

 Be  there  or  be  square

This coming weekend Friday 30 August to Sunday 1 September  I’m having an exhibition with fellow artists Sandra Pearce and Pam Black @ Richard Randall Art Studio at Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, Toowong.

I’ll be launching my range of hand-dyed silk clothing as well as exhibiting my new dynamic series of encaustic-wax paintings.

Also featuring a variety of paintings, series of mono-prints, artists books along with a treasure trove of creative handmade pieces for sale.

All three of us will be on site 10am - 4pm everyday, so I hope to see you there !

Encaustic paint turns to water

                                        Starting to make my ideas happen now !

 'Mangrove Channel' - Diptych almost finished
See below how it developed

Firstly my ink painting on rice paper was glued to 2 ply boards.

Applied clear wax medium, some shellac & burnt areas with the torch.

I had a vision of what it was, so I decided to develop this composition.
Next added more paint medium colours & fused with the heat gun.

I even added an image of splashing water over rocks
Drew some tree details with my Encaustic Wax hot tool.
Then put some shellac on some areas & burnt with a blow torch 
see first image

'Channels' is a small example of moving wax paint around with heat

Earlier works 'Meandering Pair' was when my fascination with aerial views began.
I rubbed on soft pastels, fused lightly & added more wax paint.
Texture was created with simple drops of wax paint

Amazing how these encaustic pieces come up when you buff with a soft cloth ! 

Encaustic wax is so versatile

I'm just lovin this dynamic medium as I explore so many techniques

This is a taste of some smaller pieces I'm working on for my exhibition in 6 weeks time

The only problem I have now is naming over 20 works