Colors

Here are a few new pieces I've been finishing up during the "storm of the century".

Title: "Red Swirl" Size 18" x 18" - Encaustic

All images created and copyrighted by Karl Kaiser.

Title: "Red Petals" Size 18" x 18" - Encaustic

All images created and copyrighted by Karl Kaiser.

Title: "Petalpalooza" Size 18" x 18" - Encaustic

All images are created and copyrighted by Karl Kaiser.

Let me know what you think,

Karl

More Process

So, more on the encaustic process.

I take bits of beeswax (below) and melt it with damar (resin or sap)......

Then pour the liquid through a strainer (to catch any stray resin bits) into silicone cups that are left to harden in the freezer.

The "cupcake" sized wax is then melted again in individual pots where I add color or leave it clear.

Here I am building layers on a piece. I normally put on a few layers of clear, then white before I start putting any color on.

Between each layer I "torch" the wax to adhere it to the previous layer. Sammy is not particulary happy with the torch usage in the house.

More later,


Karl

Building The Base

You can apply encaustic to different types of surfaces, for example canvas or wood. I prefer wood because of the stiffness if provides the wax, but it's really a personal preference. Luckily, I happen to enjoy working with wood, so I build my own supports or bases. Building my own supports allows me to use recycled wood as much as possible. It also gives me an excuse to use power tools.

This weekend, I built some larger supports to begin working on new pieces for a show in November. I'll tell you about the show as the date gets closer.

Here are some photo's in my shop (aka very small garage).

Later,

Karl

My Beginning Blog

Let me show you my studio. I live in Portland with my wife, Samantha. We have a great house with a large basement for my studio. Fortunately, we made the decision to move from a small condo into a larger place with plenty of room. I definitely needed the space!

We call the black and white flooring the "dance floor".

Easy for cleaning up split wax!

This is pigment in wax, warmed on a griddle (no, it's not just for pancakes anymore).

What is Encaustic you ask? Encaustic is hot wax painting, using heated beeswax, resin and colored pigments. The liquid/paste is then applied to a surface using brushes, usually prepared wood, though other materials are often used. After the wax is cooled on the surface you can carve or scrape into it or you can reheat it to manipulate it.

As an artist I was intrigued by the Encaustic’s I was seeing emerge on the Portland art scene. So I took a class and was immediately hooked. The depth and texture that can be achieved using the Encaustic medium is what continues to draw me. The process of layering colors and bringing hidden colors to light into an image is an adventurous process in which I thrive.

Below are some recent works of mine.

Title: "Orange Fields" Size 24" X 38" - Encaustic

All images created and copyrighted by Karl Kaiser.

Title: "The Woods" Size 14" X 18" - Encaustic

All images created and copyrighted by Karl Kaiser.

Title: "Red Daisy" Size 12" X 12" - Encaustic

All images created and copyrighted by Karl Kaiser

Title: "Landscape" Size 16" X 16" - Encaustic

All images created and copyrighted by Karl Kaiser.

Title: "Blue Hawaii" Size 16" X 16" - Encaustic

All images created and copyrighted by Karl Kaiser.

I am working on new pieces and will keep my posts updated with new work. Check back often.

Karl