Success Secret. Creating beautiful backgrounds for tissue paper images and photo transfers doesn’t have to be complicated—or frustrating. I remember one student telling me: “I’m not an artist. I don’t know how to paint. Show me a way to create backgrounds where I don’t have to imagine it all from scratch.” If you’ve ever felt… Read More »8 Creative and Easy Background Ideas for Photo Encaustics
Raise your hand if you are tired of ‘busyness’. When people ask how I’m doing, I try not to say “busy,” even though my to-do list could stretch out the door and down the stairs. The truth is, life is full—beautifully full—and I’m learning to reframe busyness as simply living a full life. I just… Read More »Living a Full Life, Not a Busy One
Get your work out there! Last month I had the chance to show my work at Art Santa Fe in New Mexico, and honestly, it was a wonderful experience. Talking with people who stopped by—some curious, some quiet, some deeply moved—reminded me why sharing our art publicly is so important. Galleries are incredible, and I’m… Read More »Why Showing Your Art Matters
Feel the Fear….and Drive Anyway I’ll be honest — I was terrified to drive across the country with a car full of encaustic art. You’ve probably heard the warnings: “Don’t put encaustic in a hot car!” Now picture this — it’s mid-July, temps forecast in the 90s, and I’m planning an 18-hour drive with 17… Read More »How to Safely Transport Encaustic Art in Hot Weather
Meet David Mould. I am frequently in awe of many of my students. And David Mould is just killing it these days. He lives in Scotland and has found a robust market for his work. Every time he posts in the our Private Alumni FB page, the comments come flowing in on how beautiful his… Read More »STUDENT HIGHLIGHT: David Mould
9 Elements for Strong Photo Encaustic Images. Every image—whether a photograph, a painting, or a photo encaustic piece—carries certain artistic elements. They won’t always all be present, and they don’t need to be. These aren’t rigid rules. Sometimes an image is powerful precisely because it breaks convention and gives the viewer something unexpected. But understanding… Read More »Elements for Strong Photo Encaustic Images
The Hidden Power of Constraints. As a kid I loved Dr. Seuss’ book Green Eggs and Ham. I still love the book. I read it to a couple of little girls just the other day. There is something so masterful in such a simple book. What most people don’t know is that Dr. Seuss wrote… Read More »The Hidden Power of Constraints: Boost Your Creativity
Have I told you before that I love my job? Every 6 weeks or so I meet my friend and fellow photographer Debra for lunch. These are not quick 45-minute grab a bite and go. We chat about all aspects of our creative worlds. It’s nothing for us to have a 3-hour lunch. But last… Read More »Do you see a Higher Purpose to your work?
Careful about what you find online about photo encaustic. A few months ago I received an email from a well-respected encaustic instructor I hadn’t met in person. She wrote that students often ask her about incorporating photography into encaustic work, and she routinely refers them to me. She also shared a concern: many teachers are… Read More »How to Spot Questionable Encaustic Techniques
Combining Oil and Wax is tricky. Oil and wax have always been a magical combination for me. Almost every piece I create includes at least some oil paint because the layered richness, depth, and luminosity it creates is unlike anything else. There’s an opulence to oil over wax that can transform a piece, adding movement… Read More »Avoid the Oil-and-Wax Danger Zone