Summer time resident and artist Peg Wells, who exhibits in the off-season at the Saddle Brooke Resort/ Primary Studio in Arizona, lectured  recently about the art of  painting with encaustic.

Grateful to a visiting art patron who assisted with a show-and-tell. “Those that live for the arts, support the arts.”–Seaside First Saturday Art Walk motto.

Inspired by the beach and nature, Peg Wells has prepared a gallery exhibit composed of encaustic collage. The work is decorative, but with a purpose that is secure in the strength of using natural elements. Her provocative style proves that a quiet approach can have a very powerful effect.–Amy Kiefer, freelance report.

“I have been fortunate enough to live in a variety of states and several countries and have enjoyed my exposure to a wide scope of artistic expressions. I have worked in various media including pottery, title and water-color.” –Peg Wells

Q: What is encaustic painting, you ask?

A: Pronunciation: en-caws-tick, is a paint consisting of pigment mixed with beeswax and fixed with heat after its application. –n. The Greek word is enkaustikos –to burn in.

Encaustic dates back to the ancient Greeks, as far back as the 5th century BC. Ancient ship builders used beeswax and resin to seal and waterproof their vessels. Ultimately they began adding pigment to the wax-giving rise to the decoration of spectacular ships.

To paint with encaustic, a combination of beeswax, resin and pigment is combined and then melted to a liquid state.

Encaustic paintings have many layers of wax and depending on the piece, it is not uncommon to have anywhere from 25-50 layers.

 

“I am grateful that my art found a gallery presence for my sixth summer season with you! I so appreciate your support of my art and me as an artist. I hope that my art will find new homes and that it will bring as much pleasure to people as it has given me create. Thank you.” –Peg