This is why I teach. I just got back from my Wyoming Ranch Equine Workshop — and every year, it fills me up in ways I can hardly describe. It’s not an easy one to pull off. I have to pack up my entire studio and drive 14 hours from St. Paul, MN to Wolf,… Read More »Finding Freedom and Perspective: My Wyoming Ranch Workshop Experience
Come Join me in Wyoming. My signature workshop–photographing horses, Eaton’s Ranch and the lifestyle of the American West is such a special experience. So if you’re wondering where to go next with your images. Or it’s been a long time since you’ve ‘played’ and felt totally free in your art. Maybe you want to Or… Read More »An Interview with Elizabeth Patrenos
This is one of my favorite things. Protecting the edges of encaustic artwork can feel nearly impossible—especially if you’ve ever damaged a piece during storage, transport, or shipping. The edges are the most vulnerable part of any encaustic work, and even small bumps can cause chipping or dents. One of the best studio hacks I’ve… Read More »Easy Studio Hack to Protect Encaustic Artwork Edges
Invest + Bet on Yourself. Every artist hits moments of hesitation—those days when we procrastinate, second-guess ourselves, or sit frozen at the computer hitting “refresh” instead of creating.That was me this Monday morning. But the universe has a funny way of nudging us forward. Just as I was struggling to find today’s direction, an email… Read More »Invest in Yourself as an Artist
Where does inspiration come from? If the answer were simple, none of us would struggle with creative blocks. I’m no stranger to the moments when everything feels stagnant and nothing new wants to emerge. And then—out of absolutely nowhere—something sparks. That’s exactly what happened this year in Wyoming while teaching at Eaton’s Ranch, where I’ve… Read More »Finding Inspiration in Unexpected Places
Do you have a voice? I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it means to have a true artistic voice. The topic came up while wandering through local artist studios with a friend who has a doctorate in art history. When I asked what she thought of the work, she replied instantly: “It’s nice,… Read More »The Journey to an Authentic Artist Voice
Let’s talk safety. Whenever I teach an encaustic workshop—and I’m always surprised by how differently students interpret what it means to set up a safe work environment. When you’re new to encaustic, the safety guidelines can feel overwhelming. But safety is the very first thing every artist needs to understand. You’ve probably heard warnings about… Read More »How Safe is Your Workspace?
Caring for Your Photo Encaustic piece. A question came up recently in my alumni Facebook group about how to care for encaustic art, so I wanted to share helpful guidelines—plus a sample of the care information I give my collectors. Proper encaustic care actually begins with you, the artist. Once a piece is finished, store… Read More »How to Care for Photo Encaustic Art
Is The Artistic Image right for you? My signature program, The Artistic Image is the most comprehensive course I teach—packed with step-by-step instruction, creative blueprints, and the full process I’ve honed over a decade of working with encaustic photography. But here’s the truth… This course isn’t for everyone.And if you’re wondering, “Is this class right for… Read More »Is a Photo Encaustic Course for You?
What printer should I buy? It’s a bit like asking, “Which camera should I buy?” The answer depends entirely on how you plan to use it. Are you a hobbyist who simply wants to print a few images to explore the encaustic process?Or are you stepping into a more professional path—building a body of work,… Read More »Investing in a New Printer for Photo Encaustic