About Encaustic History... Derived from the Greek word, enkaustikos, which means, "to burn in", the ancient medium of encaustic is composed of bee's wax and tree sap. Painting generally in layers, heat is a necessary tool to fuse the layers of wax together. Encaustic dates back to 800 B.C. when the hulls of Greek warships were painted using this process, and in 200 A.D. Egyptian funerary portraits employed the encaustic technique as well. These paintings were later found nestled in tombs perfectly preserved. Impervious to water, unaffected by mildew, and a natural preservative, bee's wax is one of the most naturally archival compounds in the natural world. The Egyptian portraits can be found today in museums across the world. At present, encaustic painting has emerged as an honored medium, continuing to fascinate and enthuse.

Thank you for being part of my tribe... Your encaustic art piece was done with bee's wax and damar resin added to aid in the hardening process. Layers of wax are fused onto birch wood canvas with a torch to build lumonosity and depth into the painting. Your piece has also been fused with layers of tinted shellac and alcohol inks, then torched onto the surface which creates those wonderful cells. As the piece cures over a period of about one year the surface will become clearer. It will also hold a higher sheen when buffed from time to time with a basic cloth or paper towel. Encaustic is impervious to moisture. Colors mixed or encased within layers of encaustic will not yellow or change over time, therefore, pigments will retain their original luminosity for years to come.

It's an honor to share my artwork!

With gratitude

Cheers, Jeannine

Jeannine Mazza