What is Encaustic?

Encaustic is an ancient painting medium made from beeswax, damar resin, and pigments. The word “encaustic” comes from the Greek enkaustikos, meaning “to burn in,” referring to the process of fusing each layer with heat. First used more than 2,000 years ago in the Mediterranean — most notably in the Fayum mummy portraits of Egypt — encaustic has endured because of its durability and luminous qualities. When heated, the wax becomes a liquid that can be brushed, poured, or molded; once cooled, it becomes a permanent surface that can be carved, scraped, polished, or embedded with other materials. The translucence of the wax allows light to penetrate the surface, revealing depth and subtle texture that make encaustic a unique and compelling medium in contemporary art.

What Plasters do you use/What is Fresco?

Fresco is one of the oldest painting techniques in the world, traditionally used in ancient Roman architecture and later perfected during the Italian Renaissance. The word “fresco” means “fresh” in Italian, referring to the process of applying pigments diluted in water directly onto wet lime plaster. As the plaster dries, the pigments chemically bond with the surface, creating artwork that becomes part of the wall itself. This reaction produces a matte, mineral finish that is exceptionally durable and resistant to fading over time. Fresco connects contemporary artists to centuries of craftsmanship, transforming natural materials into long-lasting, architectural surfaces.

Plaster is a versatile, mineral-based material historically used in architecture, sculpture, and decorative finishes. Made from natural substances such as gypsum or lime, plaster can be applied in smooth or textured layers, carved or molded, and combined with pigments or aggregates for visual depth. In fine art, plaster offers a structural, tactile surface that responds to mark-making in ways traditional canvas cannot. Its durability and connection to the built environment allow artists to create works that feel grounded, physical, and embedded with history. Working with plaster bridges the traditions of craftsmanship and contemporary experimentation — adding weight, texture, and presence to modern abstract art.

What determines the cost of your artwork?

My artwork is created through a layered alchemical process. I work with encaustic wax, plaster, and natural materials that must be built, fused, and refined gradually — each layer responding to the last. Wax must be heated and cooled repeatedly. Plaster must cure fully before carving or glazing. Pigments and minerals shift as they settle into the surface. To move too fast would risk cracks or loss of detail, so the work evolves over many sessions in the studio.

This process results in surfaces with depth, light, and a sense of time — qualities that simply cannot be rushed. Because each artwork requires substantial material investment and many hours of careful transformation, pricing reflects both the complexity of the process and the enduring quality of the final work.