This workshop is an invitation to play with materials on hand, and we will discover what amazing works can be created with things we might otherwise toss. Composing in a limited space has many creative advantages for both experienced and new art-makers. It can help break through creative blocks and stimulate new ideas, all without performance anxiety or a major investment of time and money.

Cold wax medium has roots in the encaustic tradition, but unlike encaustic, it requires no heat. Made from beeswax, resin, and a small amount of solvent, cold wax is mixed with oil paint to create luminous, velvety surfaces rich with texture and depth. It speeds the drying time of oil paint, allows for beautiful layering, and invites excavation, scraping, and mark making that can reveal surprising passages beneath the surface. Cold wax is both forgiving and adventurous, making it an exciting medium for painters who love process, atmosphere, and tactile surfaces.