This artwork is currently on view at YOU&I Gallery, where its story continues in a curated setting. Visit the gallery to experience it in person.
“Forged in Fire” – A Study in Transformation Through Ancient Technique
This exceptional encaustic artwork exemplifies the 2000-year-old art form’s unique ability to capture light and create luminous layers of color. Leonie.e.Brown employs the laborious yet rewarding process of melting beeswax with damar resin and raw pigments, building each layer through careful application of heat and artistic vision.
The piece begins with three foundational layers of gesso, representing the essential groundwork of any transformative journey. Upon this foundation, translucent layers of hot wax are methodically applied, each one fused to the layers beneath through the controlled application of heat. This process mirrors the way human experiences shape and transform us – each layer becoming permanently bonded to our being.
The color palette speaks to elemental forces: swirling turquoise depths evoke the ocean’s mysterious power, while fierce coral highlights suggest the intensity of flame. Emerald undertones provide grounding stability throughout the composition, creating a visual dialogue between earth, water, and fire.
What distinguishes encaustic art is its tactile invitation. The surface texture, created through the natural properties of cooled wax, begs to be touched. When warmed by human contact, the surface becomes even more translucent, revealing additional layers and color variations invisible to the casual observer. This interactive quality transforms the viewing experience into a personal, almost intimate encounter with the artwork.
The organic textures throughout the piece create visual depth that cannot be achieved through traditional painting methods. Areas of smooth, skin-like surfaces contrast with more textured regions, creating a topographical landscape that changes as light moves across its surface throughout the day.
©Leonie.e.Brown, Forged in Fire. Encaustic with mixed media, hot beeswax, oils, inks, 120 x 80 x 4 cm.
Key Features:
- Authentic encaustic technique using 2000-year-old methods
- Translucent layers that shift with light and viewing angle
- Tactile surface that invites interaction and touch
- Swirling turquoise depths with fierce coral highlights
- Emerald undertones providing grounding stability
- Large statement size perfect for living rooms, bedrooms, or offices
- Unique one-of-a-kind artwork – no prints or reproductions
