Beeswax was first used in ship painting by the Greeks 4000 years ago. The Egyptians used it to paint the mummy portraits and tomb paintings.
Beeswax can be traced back to the "higher power:" the significance that it contains the nectars of the Gods. There are many spiritual teachings related to bees. One is that they are servants gods as they contribute to the pollinating that enables plants to bring forth the fruits as food for every living thing on earth.
Bees will travel over 50,000 miles and pollinate over 2 million flowers to generate 1/4 pound of pure beeswax. The sweet aroma is the essence of 10,000 flowers. The yellow color is attributed to the color of pollen.
Tinting of colors in the beeswax can be done from natural pigments as found in oil paints.
Encaustic means "to burn" or "heat into."
Beeswax does not grow mold or mildew or fade in color. It is a natural adhesive. What was red 4,000 years ago will stay red 4,000 years later.
Beeswax does get a slight film called "bloom" after sitting for a few months, but it just needs to be lightly buffed.
Beeswax art or wax can be kept forever.
Remember, the Encaustic Workshop is Saturday, December 19th, 2009 from 1 pm to 4 pm.
Limit 10 students. For more information, please visit the blog posts titled "Encaustic Workshop!"
Smiles!
Angeline-Marie
www.angelinemarie.net
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