Supplier Spotlight: Rebekah’s Encaustic Art

Local artist Rebekah Claire Matthews will be showcasing some of her art, created using melted beeswax at The Festival of Smoke at The Wild Boar. Ahead of the festival we take the time to learn more about this ancient form of painting…

Encaustic Art, an ancient form of painting

Encaustic art is an ancient form of painting using coloured beeswax which is applied to card using an iron. The word “Encaustic” comes from the Greek word “enkaustikos”, which means “to burn in”.

Rebekah has spent the last few years developing and perfecting her skills and knowledge of Encaustic art afterfirst being introduced to the medium by local arts and crafts specialist Marilyn Hale.

Encaustic Art is an ancient form of painting which uses melted beeswax to which coloured pigments have been added.  This technique was notably used in the Fayum mummy portraits from Egypt around 100-300AD.  Rebekah is one of only a handful of artists in Cumbria to specialise in the art-form.

Today the wax is melted by the heat of the iron and transferred to special heat resistant card where Rebekah allows her imagination and creativity to run and explore, creating endless unique and original paintings.  The abstract paintings in particular open up the imagination to allow a labyrinth of twists and turns, enabling the viewer to see something different each time they look.

Rebekah said:

As soon as I was introduced to Encaustic art by Marilyn I was well and truly hooked!  A few days later I bought all the equipment needed to get started – waxes, card, and of course…..an iron!

With a range of original paintings available including framedor mounted, hand-made cards, printed cards and postcards Rebekah is exhibiting at a number of arts and crafts events throughout Cumbria this year and is developing a huge following from fans of her work.

Yes the majority of my work is produced using a simple iron!!  The comments and enthusiasm shown by those who have seen my work encouraged me to turn this enjoyable hobby into a thriving business!

The poet W H Davies wrote….“What is this life if full of care we have no time to stand and stare….” My hope is that, in a world which seems to be rushing by at an ever increasing rate viewers will be compelled to pause for a while, captivated by the beauty and simplicity that these paintings display.

Rebekah Claire Art

For more information and to view the range of original art visit the Rebeckah Claires Art website. Or call on 0776546092.

Festival of Smoke at The Wild Boar

There’s a whole host of activities planned for The Festival of Smoke at The Wild Boar Hotel on 22nd March including food and ales from our onsite Smokehouse and Brewhouse. These will be complemented by demonstrations from Smoky Jo and Georgina who run our regular smoking courses and Tim Bloomer, our master brewer from Fell Brewery. New for 2015 is Woodmatters bushcraft and green working sessions.