June 2025 Newsletter

Here is an update on my art journey….

Website spotlight - Encaustic art - what is it?

My encaustic wax art is an unusual medium to work with and not many people are aware of its stunning and unique qualities. It is an ancient technique dating back to Ancient Egypt where it was used for painting funerary portraits for placing on mummies.

It is a fascinating medium which involves using heated beeswax and damar resin, combined with coloured pigments, with each layer having to be carefully fused with a flame or heat gun. It can produce rich, vibrant colours that are resistant to fading over time. The layering of the wax adds texture and depth to the work, especially when combined with my hand dyed tissue paper. The wax can be layered and carved into, to add more complexity and texture. The final artwork is durable and has a luminous glow due to the transparency of the wax. Encaustic wax does not need to be framed under glass, instead mount it directly on the wall, or place it in an open floating frame.

‘Lacy waves’ above is available on my website and is an example of a seascape where the wax has been heavily carved to represent rock formations.

I plan to make some of my smaller encaustic pieces of art available on my website for purchase, so that you can see, feel AND smell how beautiful encaustic wax art is. It is a very tactile medium! If you are unsure about committing to purchasing a larger encaustic painting, then buying a small piece like this is a great way to see what it is like. Watch out for updates on my Instagram page for the release of these new smaller paintings!

Craft Fair May - Nature in Art

This was my first event like this and I loved every minute of it! It was very successful and I really enjoyed meeting lots of different visitors, many of whom were artists themselves. I was able to show my encaustic art and explain how I create it. For details of my next craft fair there, see below…

Gift and Craft Fair - Nature in Art - October 25th and 26th October

I will have a stall at the very popular Nature in Art Craft Fair in October   where I will be selling my art on a wide range of products including tea lights, candle holders, watercolour and encaustic wax paintings, coasters, mugs, and key rings! If you live locally, please come and visit me there! It is a fantastic place for a day out with its Museum and Art Gallery, Sculpture Garden and a really great Coffee Shop. They also run many art courses for adults and children. Well worth a visit! See https://natureinart.org.uk/

Nature in Art - Dare to Dabble course

On October 22nd I am teaching a small art workshop at NIA where you will learn to hand dye tissue paper and then use it for a meadow scene acrylic painting. Dare to Dabble is aimed at beginner artists and is a fun, relaxed event. Please follow this link to sign up: https://natureinart.org.uk/daretodabble/

I look forward to meeting you there!

Book update!

Search Press, my publisher are busy designing my book cover and have been doing product photo shoots for the book. Very exciting! I hope to see a draft edit very soon. My book will describe how to hand dye tissue paper will also include ten inspiring projects on how to use the hand dyed tissue paper. The launch date is set for February 2026! Now less than one year to go! Keep following for more info…

best wishes,

Gill

https://www.gillbarrettart.co.uk

www.instagram.com/gillieb60