Hello. My name is Michele — with one L — and I’ve always been pretty clear about that one L. I am an encaustic artist with a graphic design background. I find that the two paths intertwine pretty nicely and can’t imagine not doing both. Encaustic painting enchanted me from the first time I saw it and was told I could touch it (really!). I took a number of classes and, over time, developed my whimsical, simple style, voice and palette. Encaustic medium, without pigment, is translucent and playing with translucency in layers or hiding and revealing is very interesting. Encaustic medium with pigment can range from very glazy to very opaque, which then ends up looking downright yummy. All of this, along with the wonderful smell of beeswax, is what has me hooked on this art form. Not only did I take a number of encaustic classes from amazing teachers, I also was an encaustic assistant with Victoria Eubanks at the Art Students League of Denver up until the pandemic (and at the same time, I moved into my own encaustic studio, so good timing!). Five years of assisting with hundreds of students was invaluable to my own career — we all explored and learned together. I now teach adults at Outside the Box Studio (Littleton, CO), Prism Arts Workshop (Denver) and at EASEL (Englewood, CO), and teenagers in summer camp at Art Students League of Denver, so the exploration continues.
This user account status is Approved

“Encaustic painting is painting with wax. It’s a centuries-old technique and was the first portable art medium.”

About Me

Hello. My name is Michele — with one L — and I’ve always been pretty clear about that one L. I am a graphic designer and an encaustic artist. I find that the two paths intertwine pretty nicely and can’t imagine not doing both. Encaustic painting enchanted me from the first time I saw it and was told I could touch it (really!). I took a number of classes and, over time, developed my whimsical, simple style, voice and palette. Encaustic medium, without pigment, is translucent and playing with translucency in layers or hiding and revealing is very interesting. Encaustic medium with pigment can range from very glazy to very opaque, which then ends up looking downright luscious. All of this, along with the wonderful smell of beeswax, is what has me hooked on this art form. Not only did I take a number of encaustic classes from amazing teachers, I also was an encaustic assistant with Victoria Eubanks at the Art Students League of Denver up until the pandemic (and at the same time, I moved into my own encaustic studio, so good timing!). Five years of assisting with hundreds of students was invaluable to my own career — we all explored and learned together. I now teach adults at Outside the Box Studio (Littleton, CO) and teenagers in summer camp at Art Students League of Denver, so the exploration continues.

Examples of My Work

Fun Facts

Sad: I used to be in the ski industry, but very rarely skied.
Reader: I read a lot of books. My new record is 106 in 2022.
Awww: Laughter is my love language. Puns are forbidden.
Pet: We had a de-skunked skunk as a pet when I was 2 or 3. Not the greatest idea.
Spit: Whenever you cross the Continental Divide, you must spit on both sides to help contribute to the drainage on each side. I recommend stopping and getting out of the car to do this. Also pre-warn your fellow passengers.

More About Me

What one (art) item can you not do or go without?

My 'M.' I sign all my encaustic work with a letterpress lead M. I've had it since I was in my early 20s but it was just decoration until I started painting in wax in my 50s!

What is your biggest fear?

Squash. I really don't like the taste of gooey, smelly squash. I've come around on Brussel sprouts, and that is good enough.

What do you want to learn next?

I'd like to get really good at printmaking of all sorts. Although every bad print ends up under wax and therefore saved, it would be better if print mastery was a bit more dialed in.