Anne Claire Martens
Reconnecting with ancient wisdom through encaustic art
"With this ancient technique of fire, earth and beeswax, I'm able to tell stories as old as time."
- Anne-Claire Martens
Creating the Perfect Medium
Every encaustic painting begins with a magical combination of beeswax, resin, and fire. Beeswax provides the foundation, while resin keeps the wax flexible after it cools, ensuring the painting can survive bumps and scrapes over its long life. I gently melt this mixture on hot plates until it reaches 65°C. And then? It’s time to cook up some art!
A Technique as Old as Time
The word encaustic comes from the Greek enkaustikos, meaning “to burn in,” which refers to the process of fusing layers of wax with heat. This makes encaustic one of the oldest painting techniques in the world. The Egyptians used it for their mummy portraits, and the Greeks painted their ships with it.
I like to think that, in my own small way, I’m continuing their legacy—inviting you to reconnect with that ancient wisdom through art made entirely from the gifts of Mother Earth.
Earth’s Own Palette
When it comes to color, I only use primal pigments—those rich, earthy hues that feel like they carry stories from the earth itself.
Some pigments I extract myself from rocks and soil, while others (like Lapis Lazuli) I source from ethical companies that ensure their origins are fair.
These pigments are mixed into the molten wax medium, creating warm shades that will become the soul of each painting.
Painting with Fire
Painting with encaustic is unlike any other medium. Because the wax dries within seconds, every brushstroke must be fast and deliberate. It’s a dance of intuition and precision—every stroke a commitment.
Once the layers are applied, I use heat to fuse them together, giving the surface that luminous depth encaustic art is known for.
