care information

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Let's get you more acquainted with the artwork you've purchased:

• Encaustic is a centuries old traditional method of painting using a mix of beeswax, resin (usually damar resin, a natural tree sap which acts as a hardening agent), and pigment which is heated and fused to a porous substrate (such as wood), often building up multiple layers of color in one piece of art. 
• The word encaustic means to burn in, referring to the process of fusing the paint - a very important part of the process.
• Mixed Media is a multitude of different types of mediums used in the same piece of art, such as encaustic painting, ink, pastels, and oil (my preferred mediums). 
• And, did you know, beeswax is impervious to moisture. It won't deteriorate, yellow or darken. Because of this, encaustic paintings don't have to be varnished or protected by glass.

How to care for your new encaustic artwork:

Treat an encaustic painting as you would any fine art, using care when hanging, transporting or storing.

• Temperature: It's important to keep your artwork at consistent temperatures.
  • Hang or store at normal room temperature.
  • Avoid freezing (the wax may chip) and extremely hot temperatures (wax will melt at 150°F / 65°C )
  • Be sure not to display or store your painting in direct sunlight.
• Transporting: When packing this work for transportation, cover the face of the painting with wax paper. Using bubble wrap directly on the front of the painting may leave an imprint on the surface. If you're shipping, build a box around the painting and use foam to cushion the corners.
• Curing of Encaustic Art: During the first 6-12 months, as the wax cures, an encaustic painting may develop bloom. Bloom is a naturally occurring hazy white residue at the surface of the painting. It may also occur if a painting is exposed to cold. Bloom can easily be removed by lightly buffing the surface of the painting with a soft cloth - plain white t-shirt material, micro cloth or eyeglass cloths work great! If the original sheen has become dull over time, it can be brought back by repeating the buffing process. Once an encaustic painting has fully cured and hardened it will repel dust! Isn't that wonderful?

I've created my art so it can be displayed without a frame. Small works can be displayed on a tabletop and larger pieces can be hung by the wire attached to the back.