Working with Wax

I have been intrigued with using wax in my work but had never done it before. I had an old double boiler I had saved for years for just this purpose but left it behind in Texas when we moved out west without ever having used it.:(

I had heard about encaustics but was told it was really expensive to get into. Then when I was at Art & Soul in Portland last year, I was given an artist trading card by one of my teachers and she had used wax on it. At the make and take table we collaged a tag and then dipped the whole thing in melted wax.

I decided to try this at home. My experience- First off, don't float a pie tin in a skillet of water and expect it to stay upright. The wax melted and the whole thing started tipping into the water. So I got wax in my good skillet and water in my wax. Then called my husband to come help, he didn't know what was going on and grabbed the whole thing and poured it down the sink! My daughter then reminded me that I had a little melting pot somewhere, that plugs into the wall and is made just for this purpose! duh! Much easier!

The Dia De Los Muertos frame is a collage of paper and 3D elements that I then spooned melted wax over and used water soluble oil pastels on top to add some color. Then coated it all with matte medium. The picture is removable, so you can add your own if you like.

The bottom project is a handmade wooden box filled with bottle caps that I have painted and glued into the box. I gathered together a collection of charms and small items that went well together color wise, some of which I have had since I was a small child. A charm was placed in each compartment and then I poured the wax over them. Somehow it didn't quite look finished, as after the wax was dry some of the pieces were still loose- so I poured resin over the top of each one to seal them in. I stamped "The ABC's of Every Little Thing"around the edges of the wood. And have decided to give it the name of my blog as this piece typifies what I am trying to do with my art. I am not sure if it is finished yet. Suggestions welcome.