Encaustic paintings like the Fayium Greek Burial Portraits, made in the encaustic technique, have lasted over 2,000 years in museums worldwide! The term “encaustic” means to burn in. The encaustic technique uses pigment that is heated, burned, or fused into naturally bleached beeswax. The versatility of the medium allows for atmospheric layering, glazing, and transparency from overlapping wax. As well as ironing with heat, pouring, scraping, and staining with thin veils of paint. I build up areas of high relief and texture for my 2D works and the structure for sculptures.
I create sturdy, stable pieces made with archival techniques to ensure you own professionally made, quality artwork that lasts and is considered an heirloom.
While you might think encaustic works of art would be susceptible to temperature changes in your home, they will not be physically altered or damaged in a house with an average temperature range. As long as the temperatures are relatively stable and don’t drop below freezing or over 160 degrees, most homes, even in summer, do not go above 90 degrees, so the artwork will be fine in your home even if you don’t have central air.
Cleaning
Generally, encaustic paintings only need dusting about once or twice a year in a typical house environment. On the flat surfaces of the painting or wall sculpture, a water-damp cotton cloth (clean t-shirt or cotton rag) will do to wipe any surface dust from the flat areas with a light sweeping motion. For recessed or relief areas, you can use a clean feather duster, or I use a compressor with a light air flow to blow out any dust/dirt in difficult-to-reach places. I rarely have to do this procedure, and in most households, purchasing a compressor to own an encaustic painting is unnecessary.
Bloom
It is a rare condition with encaustic artworks that make the smooth surface of the wax appear dull and sometimes dusty appearance. This does not happen with textural works. But if your piece has a smooth surface, you may see dull areas at some point in about 1-2 years. It’s straightforward to resolve this with a light, circular motion using a lint-free dry cotton cloth (clean t-shirt or cotton rag) to gently wipe the surface and bring it back to the depth of color you are used to seeing.
Caring for Encaustic Sculpture
All of my sculpture pedestal or surface displayed works include a clear acrylic box made to the proper size and proportions that visually enhance the artwork. This accomplishes two things: it keeps dust away from the sculpture because, unlike the 2-dimensional paintings, you should not try to dust the sculpture since there are overlapping pieces of wax, and it isn’t easy to reach inside all of the recesses with a dry cotton cloth. Two, it also keeps people from knocking into or touching the works. Your guests can get right up close to view the piece, and the clear case does not interfere with the viewer’s visual experience and enjoyment of the artwork.
