MEDICINE HAT, AB – A unique art-form uses beeswax, sap and fire to paint canvases.
An artist from Camrose Alberta traveled here this weekend to share her love of it.
The two day class was hosted at the Medicine Hat Cultural Centre in conjunction with the Hat Art Club.
Art teacher Donna Hanson has been crafting encaustic art for 13 years.
After taking an online class about the art form, she fell in love.
Hanson says, “I was just smitten, cause it was just so beautiful and soft, and the wax just sunk in, and it was just lovely.”
Hanson says Encaustic is a durable and ancient art-form.
“It was first used by the ancient Egyptians when they painted the Fayum mummy portraits.”
The artist has already spent 13 years experimenting with this medium. She now finds herself traveling around Alberta and offering workshops to share it with others.
“Well this spring I have done ten different workshops anywhere from St. Paul, Edmonton, Camrose, Mulhurst, Medicine Hat, just all over. So it’s been a lot,” she says.
Hanson had Instagram followers in Medicine Hat, which is how she got invited to teach this Hat Art Club event. The students say they weren’t disappointed with the experience.
Local teacher Kimara White says, “Donna has been fantastic, she had me hooked, I didn’t even know what encaustic was until she told us that it’s painting with fire.”
White says she enjoyed creating a painting that spoke to her, and she plans to hang on her wall at home.
“She’s very intuitive and helps you to bring out what you want in the art, and it’s been an excellent weekend.”
Those who missed the session may still have the opportunity to take a class with Hanson in the future.
Hanson mentions, “My brother-in-law and sister-in-law live here, so we often come down here, so yeah if they have me back I probably would come back.”
The art teacher is planning two more workshops this summer before taming her busy schedule.
Some of her artwork is for sale on her website.
