How to be a mad art scientist

Abstract expressionist painting by Leonie.e.Brown hanging in the DALA (KV Art ), reception area

ARTISTIC JOURNEYS

transforming spaces with vibrant wall art

I'm a bit of a mad scientist when it comes to my art. I'm always tinkering, experimenting, and trying to push the boundaries of what's possible.
Art isn't just what you see—it's what you make others feel. (Emotional art). And I've been feeling a lot lately—cold, muddy Cape Town mornings, kitchen renovations that seem never-ending, and the relentless rain that’s turned my horse trails into impassable quagmires

Art and Business

It’s been a crazy few months here in Cape Town. I’ve had little time to breathe between home renovations, website updates, the persistent Cape Town winter, and a new puppy.  Even my trusty steed is feeling the blues. But in between all this chaos, something beautiful has been brewing—new art, fresh ideas, and the ever-exciting dance between creativity and chaos.

From My Studio to Your Home

I recently received a wonderful picture from Kevin, the owner of KV ART. A few years back, Kevin purchased one of my large abstracts, and now it proudly hangs in the reception area of the Dala KV Art Factory shop. Seeing my art bring life to spaces like this is one of the most rewarding parts of my work. Thank you, Kevin, for your continued support!

Art isn’t just about creating beautiful pieces; it’s about experimentation and innovation. Over the years, I’ve collaborated with amazing people like Willem from Zellen to create Cold Wax products and Kevin from Dala to develop Fluid Paint, long before these mediums gained popularity in South Africa. The excitement of constantly pushing boundaries and exploring new ideas keeps my creative spirit alive.

From the Studio to Your Space

Speaking of experiments, I’ve made a little deal with myself—only abstracts on canvas with cold wax until July. After that, it’s time for some encaustic abstract landscapes. Encaustics, for those of you who don’t speak “art nerd,” is a technique that’s as unpredictable as it is mesmerising. Working large with hot wax isn’t for the faint-hearted (or those without a good burn cream handy), but the results? Nothing short of spectacular.

Creating art is not just about splashing colours on a canvas; it’s about telling a story, evoking emotions, and yes, sometimes even burning yourself in the process. But hey, no pain, no gain, right? And trust me, the stories behind these pieces are as rich and textured as the art itself.

Cold Wax and Encaustic Art: Creating Emotional Connections

One of the unique forms of art I create is cold wax and oil abstracts. This technique involves layering cold wax and oil paint to produce textured, vibrant pieces that engage viewers both visually and emotionally. The process is intuitive and spontaneous, allowing the art to flow from the head to the heart. Each piece is a journey, inviting viewers to explore their own emotions and connect with the artwork on a deeper level.

Art that Connects

Now, I don’t want to bore you with too much talk about myself—I’ve never been one to enjoy the spotlight. But I get it, this is what we have to do. So here goes: since 2004, I’ve been pouring my heart into oil paintings, cold wax creations, and encaustic masterpieces. My work isn’t just about filling a space; it’s about breathing life into it. Whether it’s a vibrant splash of red to ignite your living room or a textured landscape that transports you to a serene escape, my goal is to make art that resonates with you on a deep, personal level.

And while I’d love nothing more than to retreat to a quiet hilltop with my horses and paint in peace, the truth is, I thrive on the connection I have with people like you. Even if it’s just through a screen, a shared story, or a piece of art that speaks to your soul.

A Peek Behind the Curtain

Here’s a little secret: most artists, including myself, spend more time on admin than on actual painting. My husband jokes that I would have made a great hermit—happy to hide away on a mountain with my animals and my art. But the reality? 80% of my time is spent juggling emails, planning social media content, and, oh yes, renovating kitchens. So when I do get those precious moments to create, I make sure every brushstroke counts.

Life has been a whirlwind lately – between updating my website, writing blogs, and tackling kitchen renovations, things have been busy. Cape Town has been cold and muddy, making it impossible for me to indulge in my passion for horse riding. But that’s life, right? Full of ups and downs, all of which feed into the art I create.

I’m reaching out to galleries across the UK, Germany, and Australia, eager to showcase my work. Selling online is fantastic, but I dream of seeing my art in local galleries too. It’s a delicate balance – galleries need to make money, and so do I. That’s why I’ve decided to offer a fair solution: if a piece sells online while hanging in a gallery, the gallery will still receive a percentage of the sale. It’s only fair since they’re offering me precious wall space.

Thank You:
To all my subscribers, thank you for your unwavering support. Your love for art is what keeps my brushes moving and my heart full.

As a thank you for subscribing, enjoy a special 15% discount on any of my online art courses! Unlock your inner artist with courses like “Amazing Abstracts” and embark on a creative adventure with me. Let’s create something extraordinary together!

Grab Your 15% Discount Now!

Feel free to share your thoughts and let me know if there’s anything more you’d like to see in the newsletter or if you have any particular stories behind your own art collection that you’d love to share.

Let’s continue making the world a more beautiful place—one brushstroke at a time.

Encaustic Hot Wax Abstract Landscapes: Take Me on a Journey


Encaustic hot wax abstract landscapes are another signature style of my work. This ancient technique uses heated beeswax mixed with colored pigments to create rich, textured artworks. The fluidity and versatility of hot wax allow for stunning abstract landscapes that captivate the viewer’s imagination. These pieces take the viewer on a journey through dynamic, layered compositions that evoke the beauty and complexity of the natural world.

What did they want?

Abstract landscape Cold Wax painting titled 'Light Shines in the Darkness' by artist Leonie E. Brown, depicting warm earth tones, reds, blues, and oranges with the sun rising over a dark landscape.

What they wanted the most

Abstract landscape Cold Wax painting titled 'Light Shines in the Darkness' by artist Leonie E. Brown, depicting warm earth tones, reds, blues, and oranges with the sun rising over a dark landscape.

Trevor and Laura are both ‘creative heart’ people in their own right. Trevor has been working in the clothing industry for many years and they both have a love for the arts, renovating and decorating.

 

Their stunning apartment shows their off their creative taste in style and also shows their support of local South African artists. 

 

 

The loft studio apartment with double volume windows shows off their collection of art to its best advantage. There is a Makiwa, a few Derric van Rensburg’s and of course, a previously purchased Leonie.e.Brown.

 

 

The previous painting was purchased via a local gallery and is proudly displayed above their fireplace. The vibrancy of the colours and movement immediately draws your attention. This work was part of Leonie’s earlier oeuvre and shows her love of colour and mark-making. the painting exudes a love for life in the use of vibrant reds and blues.

 

The couple lives and works locally and internationally. According to Laura, they have another Leonie.e.Brown painting at their house in Australia. 

 

Laura has been following Leonie’s artistic career for a few years and saw an opportunity to purchase another ‘heart‘ painting. 

 

Laura saw the painting advertised online by the artist and decided to purchase it. 

The painting is called ‘Light Shines in the Darkness’, and is part of the later encaustic inspired work by Leonie. 

What Is Encaustic?

Encaustic is a Greek word meaning “to heat or burn in” (enkaustikos). Heat is used throughout the process, from melting the wax and varnish to fusing the layers of wax. Encaustic consists of natural wax and resin (crystallized tree sap). The medium can be used alone for its transparency or adhesive qualities or used pigmented. Pigments may be added to the medium or purchased coloured with traditional artist pigments. The medium is melted and applied with a brush or any tool the artist wishes to create from. Each layer is then reheated to fuse it to the previous layer.

This specific painting was done in mixed media and Cold wax

What is Cold Wax?

Cold Wax Painting is a style of oil painting in which the artist mixes a soft wax medium into the paint and uses the thickened body of paint to create a heavily textured surface. Leonie ads various amounts of cold wax to the paint, and mix them with the palette knife. The mixture will look and feel like frosting. Mixtures with greater ratios of cold wax to paint will create more texture and translucency. 

After application, the wax can again be heated to create a ‘melted’ look. 

Art Lovers Insights:

“True strength lies in accepting my responsibility in being truthful, honest and vulnerable. Truth is seeking for the light, searching for the glimpse on the water. The truth is that darkness does not overcome the light, but the light shines brightest when it is dark.” Leonie.e.Brown Artist

Read more about Leonie’s Life Journey. 

…’The coffee in my cup has gone cold, but the heat emanating from my hands is enough to trick my mind into thinking that it’s still hot enough to drink. It’s the sheer intensity of the story that causes my palms to feel hot and sweaty”…