Mark Mohrenweiser

A licensed Landscape Architect by training, I have always enjoyed pursuing other types of art. After several years of working in mixed media, I began to explore the art of encaustic, and became a full-time artist in this medium. My background is evident in my art as shown by the landscapes, trees, and other imagery I feel compelled to create. Each encaustic painting is comprised of multiple layers of beeswax and damar resin. I make my own encaustic medium with raw pigments, filtered beeswax, and resin in its hardened, crystallized form. The paint is heated to approximately 200 degrees, and each layer is fused with heat before proceeding to the next layer. Painted and hand drawn imagery are added between the layers in oil, pastel, and ink. Original drawings, sketches, incised lines, and other elements are sometimes encased within the wax layers, giving a multi-dimensional result to the finished work. The translucency of the wax provides a glow and depth through each of these layers. I enjoy using a variety of materials to convey my artistic expression. I’m especially fond of texture and often include architectural elements in my work. The construction of each piece often showcases a smaller artwork inside. It is these unexpected avenues and varied mediums that keep the artwork fresh and offer a different perspective each time it is viewed.