Please allow me a small—okay, maybe not so small—rant. Yesterday I stopped into one of my galleries to pick up my artwork, and what I walked into left me absolutely stunned. And frustrated. And honestly, deeply disappointed. You know I’m all about relationships. I value galleries, I value the role they play, and I work… Read More »How to Ensure Galleries Respect Your Art
My new way of shooting……Overexposing. When I teach my classes I talk about how you may eventually start shooting differently when you work in photo encaustics. At first we obviously start with the images that we have. We learn the techniques and we envision where we want our work to go. But as time progresses….we… Read More »Why Overexposing Your Photos Works for Photo Encaustic
Feel the Fear…..and do it anyways. A few months ago, I came across a mantra that has stayed with me. I repeat it to myself often—sometimes even out loud, as my 11-year-old nephew discovered when he caught me whispering it before launching myself down a zipline. That moment made me realize that my inner voice… Read More »How One Mantra Helped Me Take a Creative Leap of Faith
What’s your rejection ritual? Rejection rituals have been on my mind lately. I don’t have any—and I’ve wondered what small practice might make rejection feel easier. The first things that come to mind? Fire and flames. Because rejection hurts. Even when we tell ourselves it’s a numbers game… even when we know each “no” brings… Read More »Rejection Rituals for Artists
What is your work about? How do you describe the feeling you want to communicate? On the surface my work is about finding a sense of belonging with the earth and its inhabitants, including animals, birds, snakes, etc.. On a deeper level it’s about constructing a personal story that embraces the unknown with a… Read More »Conversation with Artist Tami Bone
To frame or not to frame? Historically, an unframed painting was considered unfinished. Frames existed to elevate the artwork, separate it from the wall, and even protect canvases from warping. We’ve all walked through museums and seen those massive gilded frames that feel like artworks themselves. Photography brought its own traditions. Simple black, white, or… Read More »To Frame or Not to Frame Your Photo Encaustic Art
Meet Lyn Belisle. When I first saw Clare’s work online, I had one of those “aha” moments of resonance and recognition that gives an artist goosebumps. I was very new to encaustics, and I certainly wasn’t a professional photographer, but I *had* to learn how she did what she did with wax and images. Unfortunately,… Read More »Student Highlight: Lyn Belisle
Why Creative Breaks Matter: Finding Clarity Away From the Studio. Every artist needs a break—whether it’s a retreat, a workshop, a getaway with like-minded friends, or a quiet afternoon alone in the woods. The format doesn’t matter. What matters is creating space to clear your mind, reconnect with yourself, and recharge your creative energy. I’ve… Read More »Why Artists Need Creative Breaks
Don’t Believe Everything You Think. Most of us have an inner critic—one that can get loud, distracting, and sometimes downright rude. And yes, it often feels like this voice stands directly in the way of our creative flow. But what if the inner critic wasn’t always the enemy? While popular psychology labels the inner critic… Read More »Embrace the Inner Critic in Your Creative Process
The substrate debate. For beginners, substrates can be one of the most confusing parts of photo encaustic art. With so many options and conflicting advice, it’s easy to feel unsure about where to start. The most important thing to remember: Choose a porous substrate—typically a wood panel. Many artists use manufactured boards, either flat or… Read More »Preparing Substrates for Photo Encaustic