Many thanks to everyone who stopped by during Open Studios. Your presence, your thoughts, your kindness and your questions were all warmly appreciated. Here’s a summary of frequently asked questions:
WHAT DOES “ENCAUSTIC” MEAN?
Encaustic is a fancy word for beeswax paint. It comes from the Greek word “enkaustikos” meaning “to burn in” and refers to the fact that heat is used to manipulate and fuse the beeswax paint onto a rigid surface.
DID YOU INVENT THIS TECHNIQUE?
No. Encaustic pre-dates oil painting as a technique. The ancient Greeks used encaustic to paint beautiful, expressive portraits of the deceased on funeral masks. Some of these paintings exist in museums today and are said to be as fresh looking now as they were when they were made (as early as the 5th century B.C.)
WILL MY PAINTING MELT IF I HANG IT IN THE SUN?
No. Encaustic is a durable medium that will last indefinitely with proper care. As with any work of art, please display your painting out of direct sunlight to avoid fading. Avoid extreme temperatures. Encaustic paint melts between 142 and 150 degrees Fahrenheit and becomes brittle at temperatures below 35 degrees. By storing your painting at room temperature it will retain its natural beauty for many years to come.
HOW DO I CARE FOR MY PAINTING?
To clean your painting dust it with a dry cloth. Take special care when transporting your painting. Use common sense. (Yikes! Don’t even think about leaving it in the car with the windows rolled up on a hot day.) You can protect your painting during transportation by attaching a piece of foam core or mounting board to its surface-side using the edges of the frame as a support.
WHO MAKES YOUR FRAMES?
My husband, Andy frames my paintings. He makes each frame from scratch using solid, hand-sanded maple. Careful attention is paid to each frame’s width, color and finish so that it maximally complements the painting it holds.
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