Well, it finally happened…… Sharing your artwork online is always a double-edged sword. You want people to experience your art, but visibility also opens the door to misappropriation and theft. Last week, I came across an image that was unmistakably mine—being passed off as another artist’s work. From what I can tell, she traced my… Read More »When Someone Steals Your Art: What You Can Do
I hope this never happens to you. As a core part of my business practice, I meet weekly with an accountability partner to review what’s working—and what’s threatening our livelihood as artists. This week’s conversation? The rise of art scams targeting creators. One scam she encountered could have cost her $90,000. Yes, 90K. Unbelievable—and terrifying.… Read More »Protect Yourself From Common Art Scams
I’ve had the great fortune of teaching hundreds of students over the past decade—artists from every background, skill level, and creative journey. And the beautiful thing is… I’m always learning too. Every class brings students who are brand new to encaustics, others who have a photography background but no wax experience, and sometimes even seasoned… Read More »9 Rookie Mistakes in Photo Encaustics (and how to avoid them)
How to know when to STOP? Artists ask me this all the time: “How do I know when my artwork is finished?” It’s one of the most challenging questions in the creative process, because the honest answer is simple—your gut will tell you when the piece is done. But trusting your instincts isn’t always easy.… Read More »The Hardest Question: Is My Art Finished?
To be archival or not? This question comes up constantly in the encaustic and mixed-media world. I’m a believer in using the highest-quality materials you can reasonably afford, especially if you want your artwork to last. But archivalness isn’t as simple as it sounds. The term “archival” gets thrown around a lot, yet its definition… Read More »Understanding Archival Materials in Encaustic Art
Last weekend I taught my first-ever Beyond the Basics workshop in Minneapolis, and I have to say—it was incredibly energizing to work with a small group of experienced encaustic artists who were truly ready to see their images in a new light. I adore teaching beginners, of course. But there are already many workshops devoted… Read More »Inside My Advanced Photo Encaustic Workshop
Last week I asked what topics you’d like to see covered in upcoming blog posts. Thank you to everyone who shared thoughtful ideas and kind words—your input truly shapes this space. One comment in particular stayed with me. It came from someone who attended a local art fair and noticed something striking: An artist selling… Read More »The Truth About Making Art That Sells
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