CONTRA COSTA TIMES
Ancient painting technique, using beeswax and a blowtorch, makes a comeback

By Janice De Jesus Posted: 09/01/2010 01:30:30 PM PDT

In a cozy Martinez art studio, artists gathered around a table as the smell of warm honey wafted in the air.
With muffin pans on a pancake griddle, one would think the group had been baking and making pastries all morning. But one look at their small blank wooden boards and the muffin pans filled with colorful pigments would suggest otherwise. Artists joked that a blow torch situated nearby wasn't used for crème brûlée that morning.
Instead, the artists said they were enthralled that they were about to create using an ancient form of art--one that had been around since the dawn of humankind. They were among the fortunate to learn the ancient fine-art technique since its recent resurgence.

Encaustic painting, also known as hot wax painting, dates back to Roman, Byzantine, Egyptian and Greek artistic history. It entails the use of beeswax as a binding agent that holds pigments, making it easy to apply to a surface.
Painting instructor Connie English will offer a series of encaustic painting workshops, including one through Civic Arts Education in Walnut Creek on Sept. 25.

Encaustic painting hadn't been used as widely in recent years but is now making a comeback. English's workshops are among the few being offered locally, she said. "I enjoy bringing techniques that are 1,000 years old into today's world, blending the past into the present," English said.Artists watched carefully as painting instructor English poured melted wax onto colored pigments in the muffin pans."You don't want to paint and burn your wax," she said.

After explaining some safety methods and encaustic history. and demonstrating art techniques, English had students experiment and practice painting translucent layers onto their wood panels. Artists were asked to fuse paint in-between the layers, using the blow torch. Fusing by using heat allows one layer to marry another, English said.
"Use nice and slow sweeping motions back and forth," said English as she watched a student fuse her work using the torch's fire.

Artists ooohed and aaahhed as they witnessed the colors changing as they painted stroke after stroke using natural bristle brushes."I'm just testing the product and seeing how versatile it is and see what techniques you can use to create anything," said Kristy Gingrich of Danville. Gingrich said she discovered how a blow torch could be useful in spreading the wax and pigment mixture.

The artists said they were just having fun experimenting with colors, wax and stroking and fusing techniques.
"As far as the technique, I'm hooked," Charley Cooper said. "As for what I'm painting, I have no clue. I'm just painting to see what happens."Cooper said what she likes most about encaustic painting is that as she's creating more layers, remnants of previous layers have managed to "pop up" from underneath creating a most unusual, abstract pattern.
"I'm experimenting and feeling it out," said Cooper, who was a decorative painter by trade until she retired a few years ago. "I haven't painted in a while and it's great to get back into it again." She said what makes an encaustic painting interesting to look at is how you can't quite figure out how the painting began and how it ended.

"You get layers and layers. People try to figure out how you got to that point as they stare at the painting," Cooper said. "The painting keeps you engaged." Shelley Barry said she wanted to acquire a hands-on experience using this ancient technique and admires the dimensional quality of the art form. "I've seen encaustic works in galleries and museums and I've always wanted to see what it's like to work in encaustic," Barry said. "There's so much going on, so many levels that you can get out on and under the surface. Makes me want to experiment with this even more."
Encaustic painting workshops

Civic Arts Education, Walnut Creek, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 25
Cottage Jewel, Danville, 4-7 p.m. Sept. 28
Danville Community Center, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 9
Lafayette Community Center, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Feb. 26, 2011
Visit www.connieenglishstudio.com for more details

Contra Costa Times: Nov. 24, 2006

Artist Works Toward Smashing Success

English shatters old glass for mosaics that combine form, function, and colors inspired by nature

By Janice De Jesus – Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, CA

Lafayette – Two sliding glass doors whose previous life in someone’s home or office had run its course on their way to the dump until Connie English intervened. The artist saw potential in the tempered glass of the doors and envisioned new life for them – perhaps transformed as a table, wall hangings, or trays. The possibilities were endless. As a mosaic artist, a first and crucial step to creating a mosaic piece out of recycled glass is the part she has the most fun with. "There is nothing quite like smashing that glass,” English said.

Since her art is inspired by nature, English accentuates her art, made of either recycled tempered glass or traditional mosaic glass, with splashes of color – the color of trees, water, birds, wildlife and flowers. English is the featured artist for December at Pacific Bay Coffee Company and Micro-Roastery in Walnut Creek. Some of her work will serve it’s purpose as functional art in that customers at the café will get a chance to use one of the mosaic art tables which will be available for display as well as for purchase. Mosaic wall hangings and tiles will also be featured.

When it comes to glass, the sky’s the limit, English said. After the tempered glass is cleaned and smashed, a wood board will serve as the foundation of her mosaic table, which is painted with recycled paint. After clear adhesive is applied to attach various parts together, the mosaic pieces are then grouted. “I have a lot of different things I want to experiment with,” she said. “I try to paint colors together which complement each other. Nine times out of 10 I don’t know what I’m going to get until I am done.”

English thinks, lives and breathes mosaic art and emphasizes the importance of being environmentally friendly while creating it. “I’m totally into functional art and sustainable living,” said English, who also gives mosaic art workshops. She’s also into interior redesign, where she gives people tips on how to use what they already have. “People have a lot of beautiful things in their homes already but don’t know where to place them.”

“I like teaching people things that will benefit their lives,” said English, who grew up in Lafayette. “I really enjoy experimenting with colors. If you need inspiration, just look outside. Every color or pattern you need is right in front of you.”