
“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.
Fun Facts
More About Me
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!
Squash. I really don't like the taste of gooey, smelly squash. I've come around on Brussel sprouts, and that is good enough.
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.