I just finished an encaustic workshop with Leah Macdonald in Philadelphia, PA and it was very inspirational. If you are unfamiliar with what encaustic means, wax infusion is the term that Leah likes to use and it's exactly that. In fact she hates the term encaustic. The process is melting wax and either painting it on a board or loose photograph, or pouring it on. Depending on the mix of wax, the dried piece will either stay supple and pliable or crack when bent from the use of hardeners in the wax mix.
Her studio is in the back of her house, her husband works in a space next to hers, restoring motorcycles and building fabulous creatures from metal car and motorcycle pieces. There are a few old Harleys in Leah's studio, I thought they were beautiful contributions.
Linda Carlson insisted that we go to this workshop and I am so glad she did. Here is a photograph of Linda with Leah and myself (I'm the one with the guinea apron).
We were able to work on 4 or more pieces and here are 2 of mine.
This is a print on muslin, attached to a board and then coated in wax and painted with oil paints.
The rest of the photographs are from her studio, showing the workspace (including a couple motorcycles). If you are interested in taking a workshop with Leah (and I strongly recommend it), here is her website :
The entry to Leah's studio, how cool is that!
Leah working with oil paints on an encaustic piece.
Some of Leah's work.
I hope to put in at least 1 encaustic piece at the Lorton Featured Artist Show. The reception is August 11th, from 6-9. I am very excited about this show. For you photographers, it will definately be something different.
Your two pieces are beautiful! I bet they look even better in person. The workshop sounds like a blast!
Posted by: Susan Stayer | 07/25/2012 at 05:58 PM
Great pieces! And I love the pic of you with Linda and Leah!
Posted by: Rebecca Ryan | 07/30/2012 at 08:48 AM
Thank-you sweetie. I am loving the wax, more and more!
Posted by: Karen Rexrode | 07/31/2012 at 10:12 PM
Lovely work! Great description of the process, too. Thanks for the recommendation!
Posted by: Cindy Ricksgers | 09/26/2012 at 07:14 AM