Self-Taught Artist Masters an Ancient Encaustic Art Tradition

Photo Theresa Stirling

Leaving a successful career in biotech marketing and health care business ownership was a carefully considered life change for self-taught artist, Theresa Stirling. “I had gone through my share of life’s undulations and raised two daughters who are now in college,” she says.” “I finally felt the time was right to make a career out of what I truly love to do.”

Stirling has practiced the ancient art of encaustic painting for the last 20 years. Encaustic comes from the Greek word, enkaustikos, meaning to heat or burn in. Using beeswax and crystalized tree sap known as dammar resin, Stirling adds oils, dry pigments, and uses an industrial blowtorch to add over 20 layers of beeswax. This process creates a luminous, textured work on an architectural wood base sturdy enough to handle the weight of the wax and resin. She says she paints “from a place of deep gratitude” to produce statement art with a loose, dreamy look and feel.

Photo Theresa Stirling

Stirling favors a sophisticated, earthy color palette featuring tone-on-tone black, graphite, brown, and pewter. “Every piece of work I undertake sparks a highly personal journey with the collectors who will display them in their home or commercial space,” explains Stirling. “As I home in on their aesthetic, I strive to incorporate colors that resonate with them.”  Stirling notes that her practice is always evolving to best suit the artistic leanings of collectors.

Deeply appreciative of working in her quiet studio space with two snoring rescue dogs for company, solitude nurtures Stirling’s creativity. The energy and physicality she pours into each piece of artwork is staggering. The resulting paintings are beautiful, large-scale, and timeless.

Photo Theresa Stirling

Stirling provides a custom art experience like no other. She points out, “It’s a dialogue and exchange of ideas.” Once the concept is refined, Stirling gets to work painting one slow layer at a time and fusing it with fire. “Working with photo-encaustic beeswax is a labor of love,” she notes. “It’s a methodical, meditative process that involves adding and building color to bring out the work’s sheen and luster.” She currently accepts commissions 40 inches and larger.

Stirling pays it forward by donating a portion of the proceeds from her sales to animal shelters and food banks. Her work ships around the country and can often be seen in photos of luxury residences. She offers online ‘Painting with Fire’ art courses to educate and share her love of the encaustic art form with others.

To see a portfolio of Stirling’s paintings, or to learn more about commissioning artwork, please visit her website.

Photo Theresa Stirling

Photo Theresa Stirling