As an encaustic mixed media artist, my paintings are often whimsical and tell a story.  This is especially true with many of my prints.  My subject matter may include fantasy landscapes, animals and the human form, often with petroglyph-like marks or other personal symbols.  All of my work is done in my studio and the prints are “hand pulled” on my own etching press.

Over the past ten years, my focus as an artist has been mainly on mixed media encaustic paintings.  While an art student at the Pacific NW College of Art my major, however, was in printmaking and drawing.  Due to the toxic nature of the materials, most printmaking processes had to be done in a specially equipped studio environment and etching was done mainly on expensive copper and zinc plates. This forced many artists to work “small”, including myself.  Now, with the evolution of new and innovative, nontoxic printmaking techniques, specifically the saline sulfate etching process, I have rediscovered the joy of making prints again.  It is now possible to etch steel and aluminum plates which are significantly less expensive, using acrylic based grounds (grounds prevent etching on the plate) and water based inks for printing.

Encaustic Technique: I often collect pigments and hand grind them with a glass muller. They are then mixed with molten dammar resin and bees wax, and other waxes to create a more durable surface. I use a propane torch and an electric tacking iron to fuse the layers of the paint onto a birch or oak panel. This fusing process creates an extremely hard, lacquer-like surface that is impervious to moisture and light. The paint cures and strengthens over time. Encaustic paintings, however, should not be exposed to direct sunlight or sources of high heat.”

Link to Barbara Hudin Website>