I recently went back and reread the introduction I wrote for Open to Interpretation: Water’s Edge, and this paragraph hit me in a new way:
As artists we have a human impulse to create art, as well as the human need to define or make sense of the work created. Artistic expression has long been a tool through which we share our individual and collective experiences. Inherent in its very existence is art’s ability to communicate, engage, and inspire its audience.
This is still exactly what I aim for—to create artwork that feels intelligent, carries an implied narrative, and invites the viewer to participate in completing the story. It’s a high bar, of course. Every viewer brings their own life and emotions, which means the only thing we can truly control is whether our work comes from a place of truth and authenticity.
That’s where I often get stuck, especially when beginning a new project. Finding that authentic place takes time (more than I want) and a whole lot of experimentation (also more than I want).
So I recently followed the same guidance I give my students. In Week One of The Artistic Image, I ask them to look at the work of other photo encaustic artists and choose ten pieces they wish they had created. Then they break those images apart—studying what draws them in, what emotional tones they feel, and what visual patterns show up.
It’s not about copying. It’s about understanding what resonates with you at your core.
I’ve kept my own massive inspiration folder for years—screenshots, saved images, color palettes, textures, details. Many aren’t even photo encaustic, but they stir something in me. And what I’m drawn to changes over time, which is exactly the point.
When I feel stuck or unsure of where to go next, I sit with that folder and pay attention to what makes me pause. What makes me look twice. What transports me to a place, time, feeling, or memory.
From my most recent “top ten,” these themes emerged:
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Color + Texture
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Obscurity
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Subtleness
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Timeless
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Ethereal
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Movement
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Square Format
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Otherworldliness
And then I started to experiment.
Because the way forward in your creative practice isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about noticing deeply.
Ready to explore photo encaustic techniques and develop your own authentic voice?
Discover foundational methods, creative approaches, and inspiration inside my signature resource: Explore Encaustic Photography: https://photoencaustic.com/encaustic-photography/
I’d love to hear from you. What draws you to certain works of art? Tell me what you think in the comments below.
Be well….be creative,
Clare such a great blog! I’ve added a link to a few of my upcoming scheduled Tweets. I’m slowly building a Twitter following and your blogs are so intelligent and helpful, I wanted to pass this one on. I’ve got a short term goal of putting my useful information and others out there to support, A Creative Life…Thanks for the time and thought put into this blog!
Hi Jess, thank you, thank you, thank you!
Thanks, Clare. This article is so timely for me. It’s important (for me) to realize that its always a struggle to stay motivated and inspired especially when you feel your ideas have failed to materialize anything of substance.
I can’t always verbalize what draws me to a piece of art but I can feel it so that’s what I go with.
I am assuming that the experiment pictured above is yours, its extraordinary and I love it. In this case I can say what drew me to it…the colors, the layers remind me of the strata layers in rock.
Yes Tanya, it’s always a struggle. Over time the struggles impact the psyche less and it’s easier to learn and move on. It can still be frustrating all the same. But then you get a piece that you absolutely love, and it’s all worth it.
This image is the epitomy of what I love about encaustic work. It is simple, yet the depth of texture, color and perspective is very complex. Just awesome!
Thanks Tanja:)
Color is #1 ?
Hard to believe, I know. I’m a new person!
Hi Clare,
I enjoy reading your blog.
What draws me to encaustic art and mixed media in particular is the process of layering, the ability to change direction, completely or partially eliminate what may not be working and then without tossing it all away, create a new, refined vision. It seems to reflect life. I love that it is so forgiving.
I think what I am most attracted to in art in general is the refinement, the simplicity of shapes, forms,color, light, shadow.
Thanks Karen. I too love the refinement and the ability to change the direction. It’s one of the things I like best…..my pieces usually start in one direction and end in a completely different direction.
Hi Clare, thanks for sharing some of the artist’s struggles that we all go through. and more, thanks for the suggestions to over come being “stuck” for direction, inspiriation, or just motivation to create.Yes, I remember your quote from the lessons: ). I will revisit it myself now.
As a beginner, it seems I fit into the type of artist that Nancy Natale describs in the first para graph of her article “Guiding the Creative Process” Prowax Journal, Jan 2015, from your recommended reading list. I seem to be concenrating much more on the technique, being wax working, photoslection, shapes, matching colors, etc, that Ive just excepted the fact that chance will take place in that eventually Ill produce something good.. not to say I don’t try to work on a vision I have but Im just bogging down on techniques…
Whoa, that was hard to get out in words!
I guess Ill hit on a technique that will enable my vision, is that a good approach?
Im still inspired by seemly simple subjects that show movement embedded in depths of layers of wax….. turns out not so simple then.
Hi Nancy,
Yes, at first you need to get some of the techniques that you love in your ‘toolbox’ and then the more you practice and play the more you will refine your vision and start to make work that you like. Keep it up!
Great article, exactly what I wanted to find.