To Be Featured In:  Stories We Tell (Feb, 2024)
Learn More & View Work Examples:  Artburst Studios Artist Profile

From the vibrant city of Denver, Colorado, we are pleased to introduce you to the incredible encaustic artist, Michele Messenger.  Encaustic painting, derived from the Greek words ‘to burn in’ or ‘to heat,’ is an ancient medium experiencing a modern revival thanks to masters like Michele.  Through her skillful approach to this centuries-old art form, Michele imbues each piece with her unique style and perspective, adding a contemporary flair to this medium’s timeless appeal.

Michele’s journey into encaustic art began years ago with a chance encounter at an art fair. Drawn to the allure of another artist’s encaustic creations, she was encouraged to touch the paintings. Michele took the next encaustic class she could find. That was followed by a happy stint as an assistant in encaustic workshops at the Art Students League of Denver, and from there, she was hooked! Michele’s favorite aspect of encaustic painting is showcasing the transparency of wax when layered over mono and screen prints, creating a harmonious blend of texture and mark-making, accentuated with an oil paint wash.

Michele’s work has an additional personal touch – she actively sources beeswax from personal connections, including a neighbor, a sister, and a remarkable husband-wife beekeeping team in North Dakota. Her pieces have graced art shows in Denver, Brooklyn, and Charleston, and she is represented at NKollectiv in Denver and Balefire Goods in Arvada, Colorado.

Michele is a freelance graphic designer, a master at showcasing her artistic versatility in both digital and tactile mediums. A member of the Art Students League of Denver and the Encaustic Art Institute in Santa Fe, Michele’s work not only appears in Denver galleries, but also in various art fairs and markets throughout the year, where she loves connecting in person with art lovers and encaustic enthusiasts.

For those eager to dive into the world of encaustic art, Michele teaches at Outside the Box Studio in Littleton, CO. You can learn more at her official website: onelmichele.net

Michele’s latest amazing collection will be available at our next virtual art show “Stories We Tell” (Feb 22-24).  Her stories come to life through layers of molten wax, unique mark-making, and the fusion of beeswax and tree resin.