A group of artists gathered in Tryon recently for a two-day workshop offered by the Upstairs Artspace on encaustic art, an ancient technique in which colorful wax is used to make paintings or sculpture.
Asheville artist Mary Farmer led the aspiring encaustic artists through the process at the Harmon Field log cabin. Farmer showed the students how to add pigment to the wax, heat it until it reaches the desired consistency, and apply it to a surface. She also demonstrated different techniques such as image transfers.
“It was amazing,” said Pat Hayes, one of the participants. “What a fantastic opportunity to explore a new medium. For me it was a 10-plus.”