Contemplative Photography + Encaustic
"If oil paint is the prose of painting, then encaustic is its poetry."
-Chester Arnold
Encaustic painting involves using heated beeswax and damar resin (hardened tree sap) to paint. The word encaustic originates from the Greek word enkaustikos which means "to burn in," and this element of heat is necessary for a painting to be called encaustic. Special brushes and metal tools are used to shape and carve into the paint before and even after it cools.
It is malleable, so the metal tools and heating tools are used to shape the wax and create texture. It can be combined with a variety of other mediums like oil paint, india ink, paper, acrylic paintings, photography and other collage techniques to create dimension, texture and design. The possibilities are endless.
For my encaustic contemplative photography work, I start with one of my contemplative photographs and journal writings to set the intention, and then I encapsulate the photograph in the wax, adding layers, oil paint and/or texture to invite the viewer into the story, emotions and beauty the piece draws then into. The encaustic wax adds a layer of depth and texture that I love. I can get lost in this practice for hours. It is my happy creative spot for sure.
I am delighted to share some of my work with you.
-Chester Arnold
Encaustic painting involves using heated beeswax and damar resin (hardened tree sap) to paint. The word encaustic originates from the Greek word enkaustikos which means "to burn in," and this element of heat is necessary for a painting to be called encaustic. Special brushes and metal tools are used to shape and carve into the paint before and even after it cools.
It is malleable, so the metal tools and heating tools are used to shape the wax and create texture. It can be combined with a variety of other mediums like oil paint, india ink, paper, acrylic paintings, photography and other collage techniques to create dimension, texture and design. The possibilities are endless.
For my encaustic contemplative photography work, I start with one of my contemplative photographs and journal writings to set the intention, and then I encapsulate the photograph in the wax, adding layers, oil paint and/or texture to invite the viewer into the story, emotions and beauty the piece draws then into. The encaustic wax adds a layer of depth and texture that I love. I can get lost in this practice for hours. It is my happy creative spot for sure.
I am delighted to share some of my work with you.
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A Man + the Sea + Memory10"x10", encaustic wax encased matte photograph on cradled panel.
S&H included: The print will be sent attractively packaged & well protected inside. Orders are shipped with USPS First Class Service. Thrive10"x10", encaustic wax encased matte photograph on cradled panel.
S&H included: The print will be sent attractively packaged & well protected inside. Orders are shipped with USPS First Class Service. First Day of Spring Part 211"x14", encaustic wax encased matte photograph on cradled panel.
S&H included: The print will be sent attractively packaged & well protected inside. Orders are shipped with USPS First Class Service. morning light10"x10", encaustic wax encased matte photograph on cradled panel.
S&H included: The print will be sent attractively packaged & well protected inside. Orders are shipped with USPS First Class Service. hallowed 10"x10", encaustic wax, oil, matte photograph on cradled panel. S&H included: The print will be sent attractively packaged & well protected inside. Orders are shipped with USPS First Class Service. |
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Fall beauty"If you look closely at a tree you'll notice it's knots & dead branches, just like our bodies...just like our lives...what we learn is that beauty & imperfection go together wonderfully." -Matthew Fox
4"x6", encaustic wax encased 35mm film camera photograph on cradled panel S&H included: The print will be sent attractively packaged & well protected inside. Orders are shipped with USPS First Class Service. |
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Lean In"Like wildflowers; you must allow yourself to grow in all the places people thought you never world."- E.V.
10"x10", encaustic wax encased photograph on cradled panel S&H included: The print will be sent attractively packaged & well protected inside. Orders are shipped with USPS First Class Service. |
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baker beach, san francisco“...the care of the earth is our most ancient and most worthy and, after all, our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it, and to foster its renewal, is our only legitimate hope.”
- Wendell Berry 11"x14", encaustic wax encased photograph on cradled panel S&H included: The print will be sent attractively packaged & well protected inside. Orders are shipped with USPS First Class Service. |