ANN SWINGLER
Vigil
This body of work emerged from decades of walking receptively, without agenda or expectation, and foraging, gardening, and praying quietly.
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From here, I begin creating collage boxes of dried botanicals and glass. The photographic image is glued to a wooden panel, delicately embellished with color pencil and oil pastels before a final layer of encaustic wax is applied and sculpted to create a textured wax finish all over. I hope this work will support, in some way, all who give back to the earth and appreciate its preciousness, and hold vigil for its healing.
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Encaustic History
Encaustic is a medium that dates back to the fifth century and refers to artwork that involves the heating of wax to generate layered works full of depth and texture. The term "encaustic" comes from the Greek work "enkaustikos," which means "burning in." Examples of encaustic paintings from ancient Greek and Roman civilizations are still vibrant and colorful today.
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Care
The beeswax and demar resin are impervious to moisture and under normal temperatures are very stable. Even though they are extremely archival, encaustics should be handled with care to avoid scratching the surface and to protect the edges. Never leave your encaustic painting in a very hot or cold environment.
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To keep your encaustic piece looking its best, polish it once or twice a year with a dry cotton cloth. Polish with a gentle circular motion and the finish will be restored to a beautiful sheen.