I was on the riverbank, hoping to photograph a bird I'd spotted earlier that day. I waited until the sun had dipped behind the hills, and just as I was about to pack away my camera and head home, I saw a beautiful silvery light sparkling in the wild grasses. The sunlight had faded, but the reflections from the river provided just enough light to photograph the scene.

Back in my studio, I transformed the image into an encaustic artwork, creating a composite image using a photograph of nesting finches that I’d taken further inland, and then burning layers of wax and raw pigments into the composite photograph until it transformed into an ethereal artwork.

This original artwork does not need to be framed. The crafted edges are part of its beauty, created by layering contrasting colors of hardened wax and gilt onto the edge of the wooden panel. (Please see the additional photographs, which show the detail of the encaustic edge).

Encaustic pieces are tactile, like glazed ceramic, polished glass and gemstones. The surface luster improves with age and can be buffed with a soft cloth.

Artist: Tanya Ogilvie-White

Dimensions: 42cm x 30cm x 1.5cm

Materials: Encaustic wax on wooden board

My encaustic artworks can be shipped internationally and are in private collections around the world.

If you are interested in purchasing this piece, please contact tanya@scorchingskiesart.