Art has always been part of my life from a very early age, however it took me years to find my flow, my purpose and discover the beautiful power of encaustic painting.

My Story

I was born and raised by the seaside in France and reached the shores of Ireland 25 years ago. I formally trained as an artist and got my fine arts degree in 2006, and carried on exhibiting my work in various galleries around Ireland and internationally, yet there was something missing.

In 2013, in the least creative phase of my life I decided to take the pledge to go in my studio every day for 40 days and produce a piece work a day, without judgement, without interpretation.

 

On day 30, I discovered encaustic painting. I needed to fix a bit of card unto my board, saw the beeswax on my shelves, melted it. My world changed that day. I was a woman possessed, mind body and soul trapped in the lavish layers of beeswax and pigment, seduced by the sensuality of the encaustic process. Once you start applying heat and fire unto the molten pigmented encaustic medium, anything can happen and you can watch the painting change and transform in front of your very eyes… a true wonder to behold.

 

I had found my passion, my Fire and I felt alive.

 

Teaching

This is the value of the teacher, who looks at a face and says there’s something behind that and I want to reach that person, I want to influence that person, I want to encourage that person, I want to enrich, I want to call out that person who is behind that face, behind that color, behind that language, behind that tradition, behind that culture. I believe you can do it. I know what was done for me.

—Maya Angelou

At the Wild Fire & Wax studio or throughout Ireland, I have been providing an artistic workshop with a difference, where participants are coached to explore their own ‘fiery side’ via the medium of encaustic painting.

For me teaching is more an act of guidance and my strength resides in my passion and enthusiasm for the medium, trying to inspire my students to play with the techniques and enrich their lives in the process . I try to help them  to awaken, unfold and expand their talents and creativity through the exploration of a versatile, easy and effective artistic method so they have the opportunity to express what fires them up and to create beautiful, atmospheric artwork in a relaxed and inspiring environment.

I have been thinking a lot about the various teachers and mentors I have had the honor to meet along the way and those who have made a lasting impressions are those who have given me the time and space to be me. The real me. Our mundane lives are so busy and distracting, one of the best gift one can give to oneself is Self care, the sacred time put aside when one can be herself, without interruption or distraction.

 

One of my student who comes each week for a two hours session, once stopped in her track while painting, she looked at me and said..

‘this..this is what I was looking for’…

‘Can you explain ?’ I asked

‘The fact that I have not had a thought in a while’, she replied.

I understood what she meant, she had found her bliss, her flow and was at one with herself and  her creativity, away from the hustle and bustle of life and she was riding that beautiful wave where all that matters is our connection to something which is higher than ourselves, a place of plenitude and peace. This is the good stuff !

 

Gratitude

Before I leave you, I would like to share with you a little video I have made with some of works produced this summer by beginners. It was so difficult to choose which to pick for a one minute video, I had so many saved ! I am thankful for all the people who go trough my door, in my studio or in other venues around Ireland. Each and everyone of them has changed me, this is a true gift, a beautiful exchange which I do cherish each and every time. So thank you all for being part of my journey.

 

Do you want to be part of the journey and  find your flow? Are you curious about encaustic painting? Are you looking for something new to spark up your creativity this Autumn?

Then I would love sharing with you my passion for encaustic painting !

Have a wondrous and creative week !

Don’t forget to share the encaustic love to anyone you would think may be interested into trying their hands at this amazing process and do not hesitate to drop me a line if you wish to know more!

Thank you all for your wonderful support and looking forward sharing this amazing process with you in the near future!

Isabelle
#firepaintwithme

 

PS: I post regularly my artist process, free encaustic demonstrations and what fires me up along the way on my blog. If you wish to be notified by email, please subscribe to my mailing list, thank you!