Encaustic Artists: 10 Inspiring Examples of People Creating with Wax
I’m not sure why, but it seems like encaustic artists fly under the radar. While most people are familiar with oil, acrylic, and watercolor painting, encaustic art tends to remain a mystery.
I suppose the concept of painting with hot wax can be a little intimidating, but when you see the results, it’s no wonder encaustic painting is the favorite of more and more artists who try it out.
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Let’s ooh and aah at 10 contemporary artists working in encaustic, and see how inspired you get to either take up the medium yourself, or start collecting encaustic art for your home.
Encaustic Artists
First off, a super-duper-quick history of encaustic art in easily digestible bullet points:
- Greek artists used encaustic all the way back in the 5th century B.C. according to this history of encaustic. The Fayum mummy portraits were painted on boards and placed on mummies, as seen below.
- In the 18th and 19th centuries, historians discovered ancient encaustic paintings buried in ruins and began to study them.
- Jasper Johns and Diego Rivera were probably the most famous of artists to ‘rediscover’ encaustic art and help to revive interest in the medium amongst artists.
- Interest in encaustic art grows as more artists try it out and people become more familiar with seeing the medium (and buying encaustic art).
Tony Scherman
Tony Scherman was born in 1950 and is a long-time encaustic artist focusing mainly on portraits for his subject matter. He tackles major political and social events with his portraits, creating a series of portraits that all tie into the event.
I can only imagine how powerful it would be to see a group of these large images in person; taking them in all together in a grid feels like you are interacting with ghosts.
Tony Scherman: Website • Instagram
Betsy Eby
When you learn that Betsy Eby is a classically trained pianist, you immediately see the music within her encaustic paintings. They are infused with the patterns and flow of musical sound that you can almost hear jumping out of the wax.
Betsy Eby: Website • Instagram
Lonney White
Lonney White’s large-scale black and white encaustic paintings look like giant ink drops continuously spreading through water. They almost seem to be still moving and reinventing themselves as you look at them, and they are equally minimal and full of detail.
His work is perfectly suited to the open, sparse interiors you see them in on his website, and act as the stars of the show in many of the spaces. (It’s tough competition with those cute dogs.)
Lonney White: Website • Instagram
Domenica Brockman
Domenica Brockman grew up in Africa and draws inspiration for her encaustic paintings from world textiles. It’s so fun to compare her colors and geometric style to the inky loose paintings above – it gives you an idea of how many directions encaustic artists can take their art.
Domenica Brockman: Website • Instagram
Kathleen Kvern
Ooh more luscious encaustic wax in luscious colors. Artist Kathleen Kvern has several great series of encaustic art on her website, but I was particularly drawn to the Interstice series, 2 of which are shown below.
Kathleen Kvern: Website • Instagram
More Encaustic Artists
Here is a more concise list of encaustic artists for you to peruse. This post will end up being slow and laggy if I keep adding giant, gorgeous photos of artwork, so feel free to click through and explore more of each artist if you find something that speaks to you.
Encaustic Artists From History
Contemporary Encaustic Artists
How inspired are you to try encaustic painting now? I’ve gathered a list of supplies to help get you started as well as some tips and a very basic overview of how to get going with encaustic. Obviously there’s lots to learn, so there are also some links to books and videos on encaustic painting. Do give it a try; it’s so much fun!