2007 Second Annual IEA Encaustic Retreat

Report/Impressions by IEA Board Member Eileen Goldenberg of the IEA Second Annual Encaustic Retreat, held in Carmel, CA April 27-29, 2007:

IEA Art Camp 2007, WAX ON!!

This was such a fun event. Getting together with this group of artist was wonderful. Everyone was so excited and glad to be together and in such a beautiful place, Hidden Valley, Carmel.

We saw demos of everything from creating texture with leaves (Lissa Rankin), focusing a magnifying glass to fuse (Adele Shaw), painting on paper with the hot box (Sandi Miot), to Chester Arnold making Rabbit skin gesso and leading an informative and fun critic.

I personally was grateful to have feedback on my current “Tea House” series from quite a few people and to see how to print photos on tissue paper (Linda Womack). I also love to see new tools and get to try them. I would have liked to take a photo of everyone in the wax lips, maybe next year...

Many people commented on how everyone is so open and generous with sharing info and techniques, and how we all love to spend time together.The late night gathering after the opening at Lauryn Taylor’s Gallery, in the fireside room was a hoot. Kimberly’s story (our newest member) about how she got to the retreat from North Carolina via Big Sur was hysterical. And the Fusing contest got everyone going with Nancy Pollack bumping Lissa Rankin and Lauryn Taylor, and Lauryn trying to blow out Nancy’s torch. Lissa won and Lauryn got the wax lips.

Cari did an amazing job of organizing, setting up (with the help of Wendy, Judy, Lauryn and Daniella) and staying on task. She worked very hard on this project. We all thank her profusely.

- Eileen Goldenberg

Here is a sampling of photos from the retreat:

Above: Lauryn Taylor and Cari Hernandez

Above: Cari Hernandez getting her tiara

Above: Daniella Woolf at her Highlands Gallery show

Above: Chester Arnold demo

Above: Chester Arnold demo 2

Above: "Off the Grid" opening reception

Above: "Off the Grid" show

Above: Eileen Goldenberg w/ her pieces

Above: People's Choice Award

Above: Adele Shaw and Tina Vietmeier

Above: Rodney Thompson using the tacking iron

Above: Sandi Miot encaustic on paper demo

Above: Lauryn Taylor and pigment sticks demo

Above: Linda Womack and photos on tissue paper demo

Above: Lissa Rankin demo

Above: Mary Farmer graphite demo

Above: Fusing Contest

Above: Gail, Kim, Cyndy, Sandi, Rodney, Linda at retreat

Above: Judith Williams collage demo

Above: Artists watching Judith Williams

Above: Thank You Awards

General Members Meeting Feb 10, 2007

IEA held a General Members meeting on February 12, 2007, at Tina Vietmeier's studio in San Francisco.

Gail Steinberg, President, had handouts for the new organization structural chart, a projected financial budget, and the latest members list. She announced that IEA was now an official California 501(c) registered non-profit organization.

We also discussed the upcoming Encaustics Conference in Boston, IEA's own second annual Retreat coming up in the Spring, in Carmel (look for details on our website), and the group discussed various upcoming exhibit opportunities.

Then everyone who had brought work to show got a chance to discuss their work and the group provided their comments and admiration!

I took these pictures a little before everyone showed up but at least it gives you a flavor of the afternoon.


Mary Marks and Howard Hersch discussing Mary's work.


The board where other work was posted, Adele Shaw's to the left, Eileen Goldenberg in the middle, Jhina Alvarado's to the right, and Howard Hersch's piece on the floor.


Gail Steinberg conducting the meeting.

Masters Class by Joanne Mattera on Nov 11, 2006

Joanne Mattera was the guest speaker at a Masters Encaustics Class hosted by Hylla Evans (IEA member) of Evans Encaustics. Both IEA members and non-members alike attended. The class was held at the Arts Guild of Sonoma from 10 - 5 pm.

Joanne, author of "The Art of Encaustic Painting", went beyond the encaustic painting bible, and offered individually focused Q&A to address specific questions from the attendees. Topics ranged from supports to surfaces, to packing/shipping and much more. We then went around while some of the attendees, who had brought artwork with them, said something briefly about their work and took feedback and comments from Joanne and class participants. Finally, Joanne showed a slide presentation of examples of encaustic work from the Faiyum funeral portraits through the Jasper Johns era and many of the contemporary artists producing encaustic art now in galleries and museums.

Here are several photos from the day:

WCEA Becomes IEA

The West Coast Encaustic Artists (WCEA) has officially expanded its focus and the new name of the organization is International Encaustic Artists (IEA)!

We welcome all encaustic fine artists and invite you to visit our website.

With the name change and the broader reach, we have started a new blog. The old blog can be found here.