Discover the joy of creation while learning the ancient Greek technique of encaustic in a beautiful natural setting.  You cannot but help to get inspired by the natural landscape, the bright Cycladic sun, and the natural hum of the Aegean Sea. Sign up for encaustic painting and expressive arts classes that take place in our private atelier in the remote part of Ios, Agia Theodoti this summer 2020.

As an exhibited artist in NYC, I conduct beginner’s workshops in encaustic painting and landscape painting in acrylics.  Here are some of my pieces: 

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Encaustic is one of the most ancient painting techniques. It refers to the act of burning pigments into a mixture of beeswax and Damar resin.  “En-kausticos” comes from the Greek meaning to “burn into.”  The technique consists of preparing a porous material, usually wood, with a medium of wax and damar resin. (Damar is a specific pine tree whose sap is just the right consistency to mix with the wax when warmed, not too hard, not too soft).  The medium is warmed in vats under fire and then pigment is mixed into the wax which the artist paints directly onto the surface. The pigment must be warmed and then the various layers fused by more heat.   

Encaustic technique originated from Greek boat makers and engineers waterproofing their ships’ hulls with pitch or tar in wax.  It traveled over to the arts because of its ability to keep pigment vibrant. Encaustic technique served two functions: to preserve and to decorate.  This is why most Greek statues and buildings made of stone were painted. And how was the paint applied? En-kaustikos of course!  The pity is that, while encaustic was the medium in use throughout the span of the ancient world, very little evidence of it survives. There is one notable exception– the Fayum mummies on exhibit in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and in London. These mummy portraits would wrap the faces of the upper-class noblemen and women in the Hellenistic Period in Alexandria, Egypt in the 3rd century AD and served as memorials. 

The technique fell into disuse as it was cumbersome.  But in the 20th century, what with the ease of using hot plates and extra-powerful hair dryers, encaustics are making a comeback.  The 20th century has seen a rebirth of encaustic on a major scale. It is an irony of our modern age, with its emphases on advanced technology, that a painting technique as ancient and involved as encaustic should receive such widespread interest. Why? Because with all things ancient, it signals a return to the elemental, the raw and the natural.  The ancients in their minimalism spoke in products and processes that appear post-modern and quite abstract.

Encaustic’s versatility also attributes to its popularity. It can be combined with painting, collage, mixed media. It acts like glue or medium, but with the advantage of making paper transparent. It takes well to toner transfers. Secondly, it appeals to the tactile senses.  The smell of the wax, the warmth of it gives the artist a personal connection to the medium. There is nothing like the warm feeling of rubbing your fingers over the wax, adding pigment sticks to bring out the fissures and crannies. Thirdly, it allows for multi-dimensionality and texture.  Because the medium can be built up in hundreds of layers, encaustic painting is able to be texturized in a thousand ways. In fact, some encaustic artists actually sculpt pieces from the medium itself.  The medium gives the pigment a rich optical effect. 

That’s another thing about encaustic art making: it combines both the mind and the body in a harmonious whole. You need the body to create encaustic, whether by heating and mixing the medium, rubbing the pigments, feeling the textures.   It is very therapeutic in this regard; bridging both left and right brain hemispheres.

ENCAUSTIC PAINTING WORKSHOPS 

I run small workshops for encaustic painting comprised of a maximum of 6 participants.  All supplies and light refreshments provided. 

OVERVIEW:  Participants will create an encaustic painting of 6X6 on wood panel. The workshop will be complemented by a talk and presentation that will review the history, techniques and significance of the medium along with photography of representative styles and current notable practitioners. 

LEARNING GOALS: 

-to gain an introductory understand of encaustic and associated tools

– to understand elements of composition, collage, contrast,

-to learn different sculpting techniques using the wax medium

-to learn fusing through hot gun and cold wax

DURATION:  1-2 hours

Price: 60 Euro 

Time and place: Atelier in Ios, Cyclades; July and August 

 

plein aire landscape drawing and painting

The Cyclades are a ring of islands centered around Delos, the birthplace of the twin gods–Apollo and Diana/Artemis.  Apollo the god of light, the sun and enlightenment, is the purveyor of the arts.  This magic ring of isles is a place that inspires just by breath.  It is the intense white light of Apollo that washes the landscape and intensifies hues and values making it one of the best places to paint in open air.  It is this light we try to capture in our Plein Aire landscape painting class.  

OVERVIEW: Participants will create an acrylic or oil  painting on 16X20 canvas at one of the ideal locations for landscape painting.   

CLASS INCLUDES: 

-all materials–brushes, canvas, oils/acrylics, utensils, aprons, gel mediums, easels, chairs

-direct instruction in technique by a New York City-based visual artist 

-small class size (6 participants maximum) 

-insider’s knowledge of terrain and time for best location 

-water and other refreshments 

DURATION:  3 hours

PRICE: 100 Euros 

Time and Place: Atelier Aghia Theodoti, July and August

 

 

To register for one of the expressive arts workshops, please fill in this form and we will follow up with more details.