Photo-Encaustic Art

• About this medium

  Photo-encaustic art is an ancient technique meeting contemporary photography - combining photographic images with molten beeswax, natural resin, and pigments to create unique, textured artworks with extraordinary depth and luminosity. The Encaustic Process Encaustic, meaning "to burn in" or "to fuse," dates back to 5th century BC Greece, making it one of the oldest painting techniques in existence. The medium combines three natural materials: pure beeswax, damar tree resin (which raises the melting point and adds durability), and pigment. In my photo-encaustic work, I begin with my own equine photography - often images from the Wild Hearts series or my work with Britain's rare native horses. The photographic print is then embedded in multiple layers of heated, molten beeswax mixed with resin and pan colours. Each layer is fused using heat, building texture, depth, and luminosity that cannot be achieved through any other medium. The beeswax creates a translucent, glass-like surface that catches and reflects light, giving the work an ethereal, almost three-dimensional quality. The natural honey-gold warmth of the beeswax adds depth to the colors, while the textured surface invites tactile engagement with the piece. Why Encaustic? This ancient medium allows me to add an emotional, tactile dimension to my photographic work. The layers of wax create depth that mirrors the layers of meaning in the images themselves - celebrating wildness, freedom, and the fragile beauty of Britain's rare native horses. Each piece becomes a one-of-a-kind original artwork, with textures and light-play that shift as you move around it. The encaustic process also speaks to preservation and permanence. Just as beeswax has preserved ancient artefacts for millennia, sealing these images in wax feels like protecting these rare breeds for future generations. Original photo-encaustic artworks available by enquiry. Custom commissions and framing options available.