ART HEARTS: Heart of Gold - Encaustic (beeswax) and Gold Leaf on wood block order 5.5x5x2

Part of artist Carrie Goller's encaustic (beeswax-based paint) joyful Valentine heart series on thick wood block, with edges painted dark brown. Ready to hang or set upon a shelf or surface. These collectible pieces look great in a grouping and many more are available from artist. Also custom orders in various sizes, colors, personalization are available - you name it!! The world is your oyster, or rather, Valentine! Signed by artist with "Goller" on front and back with full signature. order

See more of Carrie Goller's art on her website www.CarrieGollerGallery.com, or at her gallery in the charming historic downtown arts district of Poulsbo, Washington (also known as Little Norway) nestled on Liberty Bay against the mountains.

WHAT IS ENCAUSTIC?
Encaustic is the very earliest known form of paint, first used by the Greeks over 2000 years ago. The amazing Fayum Mummy Portraits were painted in encaustic by the Greeks in Egypt. They are still fresh and vibrant, and are exhibited today in the world's greatest galleries.

Encaustic painting involves melting, applying, then heat fusing layers of beeswax (resin and pigment can be added). The wax gives an optical depth unique to the medium.

Encaustic has returned from obscurity as modern tools have made the process more practical. Diego Rivera used encaustic in the 1930's on his murals. Jasper Johns is credited with the current renaissance of encaustic fine art with his work that began in the 1950's.

"Why paint in a process-intensive medium that's over 2000 years old?" is rarely asked. That answer is a given: luminosity, rich surface, the beauty of the wax.

Carrie Goller interprets this ancient medium into very contemporary work, creating paintings with brilliant luminosity, as well as some with a rich, delicate opalescence. Maintaining their freshness and intensity, they will not darken or yellow. Because of the protective nature of wax they are impervious to moisture and need not be varnished or put under glass.