Natural red beeswax with the rich color of New Mexican earth with sparkling mica powder in a modern, minimalist form. This piece contains beeswax, natural earth pigment, piñon resin and gold powered mica on wood panel. Lisa collected the resin and soil while hiking in the hills of Ojo Caliente outside of Santa Fe. This piece is 9x12 inches on a wood panel 1.75 inches deep, made in 2021. Signed and wired for hanging.
Micah Portal
What is encaustic? How are these paintings made?
Encaustic is painting with melted beeswax; there is no canvas or gesso and there are no acrylic materials involved. The beeswax is melted, pigment is mixed in and this mixture is fused to a wood panel with heat.Will it melt?
No. Beeswax melts at 160 degrees F. Encaustic paintings should never be hung in direct sunlight or left in a very hot car; this is common sense for storing and hanging any fine art piece. Always hang on a hook to prevent falling and chipping or breaking.Will it last?
Definitely! There are encaustic paintings created by the ancient Romans still around. Chipping on the edges is a risk, see below.How do you clean it and take care of it?
Dust can be wiped off with a soft cloth. The edges of the encaustic paintings can be fragile, be sure to wrap with tissue paper first then bubble wrap and a rigid box when transporting. Always hang on a hook to prevent falling and breaking.