Regional Artist Project Grant

I just received word that I was awarded a Regional Artist Project Grant again this year from the North Carolina Arts Council. I'm very excited about this because I'm planning on using the funding to do some encaustic work.

FYI: Encaustic painting, also known as hot wax painting, involves using heated beeswax to which colored pigments are added. The liquid/paste is then applied to a surface — usually prepared wood, though canvas and other materials are often used.

The simplest encaustic mixture can be made from adding pigments to beeswax, but there are several other recipes that can be used — some containing other types of waxes, damar resin, linseed oil, or other ingredients. Pure, powdered pigments can be purchased and used, though some mixtures use oil paints or other forms of pigment.

Note: images courtesy of R&F Handmade Paints.

Jasper Johns brought this age old painting technique back when he started working with it in the 50's. Johns created texture in this flag painting by dripping wax over a collage made from recycled materials.