Seabed (2008) Painting by Ann Snow

About 5 years ago, I became enchanted with encaustic painting when I browsed an internet browsing site relating to painting. A woman commented that she had no time to paint with acrylics because she was involved with encaustic painting. I had no idea what that was so I searched for information and was contacted by a man in England, who told me all about it and what tools and supplies with which to begin. When I received the supplies, I went outside on my deck and started to melt the wax onto the paper. From then on, encaustics took over and I have been excited about it ever since.

You have no idea how much fun it is to be involved with an artistic venue that is so spontaneous and free. When you melt the wax and impress it with a variety of tools, you make pictures that are different every time you look at them. Sometimes you see images that just seem to show up. Sometimes I don't see them until much later and I think that is the real fun of doing these paintings. One person looked at a picture and saw Batman in it. I had never seen it before that.

My paintings are done using the process done in England, Scotland and Wales. I use a small iron, and a variety of small, heated tools. I do not color the wax myself. Instead I use wax that comes from England and comes in a variety of colors. I use different papers because the wax works differently on watercolor papers and on shiny papers. I frame my paintings with a double mat and under glass.

I am a retired nurse and am active with the Portland Town Hall Gallery, The Essex Gallery and have paintings in collections in Arizona, Florida, California and locally.

• Nationality: UNITED STATES
• Date of birth : 1935
• Artistic domains:
• Groups: Contemporary American Artists