For those not familiar with the lesser-known medium of encaustic, the word might sound like something dangerous.

But it really just means painting with wax, and in an exhibit of works by Art League students here at the Torpedo Factory, you can see all the different, beautiful ways students have used the color, texture, and translucency of that material.

“Wax Works,” on view through February 28, features over 60 works of art by 32 artists, all of whom have taken encaustic workshops at The Art League School taught by Beverly Ryan. (You can find the exhibit in the Site 2 and Site 3 Galleries in the Torpedo Factory, which are on the east side of the second and third floors.)

Encaustic is an ancient medium, and the basic ingredients have stayed the same: beeswax, pigment, and heat. The medium also creates opportunities to use texture and mixed media. Our last encaustic workshop was held in January, and there are two more this year (see below).

Come take a look at the exhibit and see what our encaustic workshops are all about!

For more examples of encaustic in action, check out a gallery of the instructor’s work on her website.

Upcoming encaustic workshops with Beverly Ryan:

• The Next Step in Encaustic Painting, March 24–27
• Introduction to Encaustic, Sept. 13–14