Blackwell, Paula

Artist Paula Blackwell Artist Statement
My procedure in making encaustic art is to first paint on a hot liquified mixture of filtered beeswax and dumar(tree) resin. I then lightly fuse the wax to the ground( usually a wood panel with a cradle frame) with a torch. At first I was apprehensive about putting a flame to the wax but, after my first painting I could honestly say, I have no fear. I look forward to seeing how the heat will effect my work. just to be safe, I have a fire extinguisher close at hand and I wear a mask. I prefer using a mixture of both water soluble oil paint and pigmented wax in my work, giving them a 3 dimensional effect. I also experiment with spent coffee grounds, rubbing them into the surface,when I want an aged or rustic appearance . Then I fuse it to the painting. I love the smell of coffee and beeswax in the morning.