ORANGE BEACH, Ala. - An exhibit of encaustic or wax artwork by four Alabama artists will be on display at the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach on July 18 through Sept. 14.

The public is invited to the opening reception 5-7 p.m. July 20. Also, on July 21 at 10 a.m. visitors may participate in an encaustic experience at the arts center’s studio.

The artists participating in the exhibit are Pam Allen of Troy University, Melanie Townsend Colvin and Maralyn Wilson of Birmingham and Lou Ann Schell of Orange Beach, all accomplished artists, who use wax in their paintings, mixed media and sculptures revealing the diversity of this ancient medium.

Encaustic is known for its durability, luminosity, and sculptural elements. Each of the exhibiting artists share an interest in exploring materials and a tendency to reflect on the past whether that be historic or personal.

Perhaps it is this combination that led them to the encaustic medium. Whatever the reason, we are the beneficiaries of their skill and imagination.

This exhibit will feature iconography, landscapes, portraits, figurative sculptures and sculptures made from the common stick. Some work is meditative, some whimsical. In short, there is something for everyone.

The Artists

Pam Allen, professor of art at Troy University, uses encaustic in combination with oil and collage to produce beautiful, meditative mixed media paintings with intricate details and striking depth. Her love of materials and interest in learning new and old techniques has contributed to her repertoire of skills and knowledge.

Allen states she uses “visual ‘triggers’ to assist in storytelling. The significance of these images such as trees lining the horizon…provides clues to the universal message and more than often personal notes suggesting enigmatic content”.

Melanie Townsend Colvin is a Birmingham artist who uses encaustic wax, concrete, metal, repurposed wood and found objects to produce sculptures that elevate the everyday object. By adding images of aged maps, vintage paper and old photos she “weaves a visual tale that reflects a connection to the past.”

Colvin was awarded the Best Sculpture Award for the new NBA and BBVA Compass Magic Ball competition as well as Award of Merit for her overall new work in encaustics at the 2012 Magic City Art Connection.

Orange Beach artist, Lou Ann Schell, known for her iconography and portrait drawings, studied encaustic under Hylla Evans and Jeff Schaller in Sonoma, Calif. In keeping with her interest in portraiture and iconography, Schell will exhibit three encaustic icons, one of which is Christ Pantocrator after the original, also rendered with encaustic, which dates back to the first half of the Sixth century and is housed at St Catherine’s monastery at Mt Sinai.

For Schell, the medium connects her to a history that is very much a part of her present. Schell will also exhibit contemporary landscapes and still lifes.

Another award winning artist from Birmingham, Maralyn Wilson, is known for her artwork as well as her noted gallery. Wilson creates figurative sculptures in clay with an encaustic finish.

“Working in clay brings out memories and feelings that I love to express in my work,” Wilson said. “I like to tell stories with my art, and the encaustic finish on the clay sculpture adds depth and a feeling of the past.”

In addition to her sculptures, Wilson will exhibit portrait photographs with an encaustic overlay. She covers the photograph with an encaustic mixture, adjusting the coating to capture the most intriguing facial feature of her subject.

Encaustic history

Encaustic, derived from the Greek word ‘enkaustikos’ meaning ‘to burn in,’ uses beeswax with pigment on porous surfaces such as wood, stone or clay. Being an excellent preservative of materials, wax art dates back almost 3,000 years to Egyptian & Greek times when heated colored waxes were used to decorate warships and the walls of tombs.

The best known encaustic works are the Fayum funeral portraits, realistic mummy portraits painted primarily on wood dating from First to Fourth century AD, a period in Egypt’s history that was greatly influenced by Greece and Rome.

Experience for yourself

Experience encaustic painting for yourself on Saturday July 21st 10 am at the Coastal Arts Center’s studio. Maralyn Wilson and Melanie Colvin will guide you through the process of painting in wax on 3” x 3” wood. The process takes 10-20 minutes, costs $15 per person and is fun for children and adults. To make more than one painting there is an additional charge of $5 per extra painting. Call the Coastal Arts Center to sign up for this unique experience.

The Coastal Arts Center is located at 26389 Canal Road, 3/10 mile east of the Canal Road-161 intersection. For questions or more information call 251.981.2787(ARTS) or visit www.orangebeachartcenter.com.