Ann Snow

The way that I approach encaustic painting is by color and not by any pre-set idea of what I want to accomplish. I can just let my imagination go and when I think a painting is finished,I stop, I usually line them up on my mantle and over the next days I just look at them from all angles and decide which ones I like and will probably frame and which ones I need to put away and look at later. Sometimes I paint them one way but like the view turned upside down or sideways. I like the fantasy aspect of them, even though I have done wax paintings that look like more normal paintings. I sometimes use watercolor paper and the wax does look like a watercolor painting when it is done. Encaustic painting, to me, is exciting and fun and free and imaginative. I make large paintings too and I use a lot of silver, white, black and gold and when framed they look great behind a desk in an office or behind a sofa if you like something modern and abstract. Ann

I have been fortunate enough to have won two blue ribbons for paintings exhibited at the Portland Fair and three awards for paintings submitted to the Essex Art Gallery in Essex, CT. Paints have also been exhibited in the art gallery in Mystic, CT.

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.