Encausto Redefined

The art of encausto is more than 2000 years old. Pigmented beeswax adorned ships’ hulls, wood panels on mummies, and icons throughout the ages. This ancient art was in wide use during the Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Byzantine empires. Encaustic paintings were found at the excavations of Herculaneum and Pompeii in the 18th Century and sparked a revival of encaustic painting.

In the mid 1950’s, artist Jasper Johns took encausto to a new level bridging texture and mixed medium to this ancient art. Considering that previous uses of encaustic painting had been for portraiture, well defined and patinated, this new direction opened uses of encausto to new possibilities.

The beauty of encausto is that it is so very versatile! It can be used sculpturally in impasto paintings or smoothed and defined. In the 1990’s, artists such as Sylvia Netzer and Heather Hutchinson applied encausto to ceramic and plexi-glass surfaces.

During the past several years, encausto has been redefined in cold applications using acrylic waxes for wall finishes. The possible uses--whether with hot beeswax or cold acrylic wax applications--with fresco, decorative plasters, painted walls, and art are endless. Encausto is a beautiful medium which offers character, durability and a subtle patina.

Please visit www.PeriwinkleSkies.net to view encausto applications on wall finishes, fresco, and decorative plaster enhancers.