Arum Creative Studios

Encaustic art, a technique using hot beeswax and pigments, goes back Millenia.  In fact, examples of encaustic work can be traced back to the pyramids of Ancient Egypt.

Encaustic derives from the Greek word "enkaustikos", meaning "to burn in".   The technique uses a combination of hot bees was, resins and pigments to create a paint medium that can be applied to a variety of grounds such as card, canvas, wood or even metals.  A heat source fuses the wax, pigments and resins and binds the different layers of the work together.

Encaustic is a relatively unknown art medium.  In addition, there is an unfounded perception that encaustic art is not as durable or aesthetic as, for example, oils, acrylics or watercolours.  However, works produced by the young contemporary South African artist, Lydia Ehlers, speak volumes to change market perceptions about encaustic art.  Arum Creative Studios is honoured to present works by Ms. Ehlers to the world.

Works by Ms. Ehlers show great versatility that can be achieved with encaustic mediums.  Works range from fantasy landscapes to strong emotional pieces such as the works that were commissioned by a museum to commemorate the Anglo Boer War of 1899 to 1902.

Arum Creative Studios believe that Ms. Ehlers’ encaustics set a tone of excellence that is sure to continue on a rapidly upward-moving curve.

Peter Faure, a contemporary South African artist, started his art career in 1992.  He initially focused on still lives and arabesques in oil.   Later, he switched to acrylics.  Having had major surgery to his hands, Faure decided to switch to digital photography as an art medium.  Faure’s work portrays everyday life in the form of candid snapshots that he digitally reworks in a variety of styles to suit multiple decorative needs.

The Beach Walker Series that is currently featured, is based on a photograph taken on the main beach of Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, in 2019.  A slightly overcast day created a soft light that was ideal for the photo.   A lonely woman enjoying a walk on an open beach is the embodiment of tranquillity.  

The beaches around Jeffreys Bay are renowned for ideal surfing conditions and for the pods of whale and dolphin that could be seen from time to time, often not further than two hundred metres from the shore.