Joanne you did it again!

The 3rd annual Encaustic Conference in Beverly, MA was once again over the top. Honestly after attending last year I was skeptical as to whether I was going to gain any new ideas or techniques this year. I found out that just because a demonstration was about the same tool it was used completely differently with a different presenter.

Everyone at the conference was so open with everything art, whether it be technical tips or marketing ideas. I think I just might go again next year! Thanks Joanne for putting together another great conference!! I must say that Cari Hernandez was my favorite. She was so great at explanation and detail that we learned a ton of new techniques in a short period of time. Also Kandy Lozano’s presentation on working large has really inspired me to work larger. Her Rock Star video was really cool too!

Hope to see everyone there again next year!!

 

Mask Detail As Requested

As requested by Dawn I’ve included a detail of each Adam & Eve mask.  This is the closeup of Eve.  She has glitter around her eyes.  To get this effect I carved out a layer of wax around her eyes and then used a very thin layer of white glue to stick the glitter too.  I then brushed a layer of clear wax on top and fused it all together with my heat gun.  I then was able to scape off a small layer to reveal some of the glitter.    The blue, green, and red swirls were created by again carving out the wax but then filling it in with wax that was pigmented using oil paint.  Each color has to done individually, fused and then cooled before going to the next color.   The same technique is used for the lips.

 

Here’s a closeup of Adam.  He has a gravel mixture on top which is glued on and then dipped into wax.  I found this mixture in the artificial plant section at Big Lots (I’m always keeping my eyes open for this kind of stuff).  I then melted it down to reveal the texture.  I also carved out the arrows and lips and filled them in with pigmented wax.  The fish are brads that I found at a dollar store and spray painted them bronze. 

 

Each mask had it’s own challenges.  The biggest was keeping the wax from melting off the tip of the noses as I fused the rest of it!

Allison

 

Transferring

Just learned a new technique of transferring images onto the wax.  Just need to make a Xerox copy of the image, burnish it onto the wax and then rub off the paper with a wet paper towel.  I’ve been using photographs that my husband took, along with a few of my own and incorporating them into my images.  This is all new to me so as soon as I have one completed I’ll post it and add it to my website.  I’m working on a set now that will incorporate some Atlanta architecture.  I’d like to complete a set of art that will work more for corporate settings. 

Now if I can only find a Xerox machine………