Paintings by Judith Burks

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Encaustic Paintings

Hush, 2009, encaustic and oil on linen on birch panel, 18” x 24

Passion Flower, 2009, encaustic and oil on linen on birch panel, 16” x 40”

Red Lips /Sacred Heart, 1957. 2009, encaustic on linen on birch panel, 9”x 34”

Young Girl, 2008, encaustic and mixed media on paper on birch panel, 11” x 16”

Mirela and Mary Jane, 2009, encaustic and oil on linen on birch panel, 16” x 20”

Budapest Conversation Piece, Part 1, 2009, encaustic on linen on birch panel, 11” x 13.5”

Budapest Conversation Piece, Part 2, 2009, encaustic on linen on birch panel, 11” x 13.5”

Budapest Conversation Piece, Part 3, 2009, encaustic on linen on birch panel, 11” x 13.5”

High School Girls/1957, 2009, encaustic on linen on birch panel, 10” x 40”

After the Storm, 2006, encaustic on panel 12" x 16"

New Orleans Exile: Marcus ,2006, encaustic on panel 14" x 17"

New Orleans Exile: Raymond, 2006, encaustic on panel 16" x 20"

Ninth Ward Survivor, 2006, encaustic on panel 18" x 24"

Red Dress/Ruined Street, 2007,encaustic on panel, 16" x 20"

Roberta Triptych, encaustic on linen, 24” x 48”, 2008

Recent Commissioned Encaustic Portraits

encaustic on linen canvas, 2008, 16" x 20"

encaustic on linen canvas, 2008, 20" x 16"

encaustic on linen canvas, 2008, 14" x 17"

encaustic on linen canvas, 2009, 22" x 28"

About Encaustic

Encaustic painting, also known as hot wax painting, involves using beeswax to which colored pigments and resin are added. Encaustic paintings from Roman Egypt bear witness to the durability of the medium, which was widely used in ancient times.

Encaustic is a demanding medium; the artist must work quickly while the wax is molten to apply it to the surface of the artwork, and then use a heat gun to fuse layers together. Encaustic artists often turn to abstract expression because of the difficulty of working realistically in the medium. Judith has taken her inspiration from the ancient artists who used encaustic for portraits.

Encaustic paintings have a physical beauty that is difficult to capture on film. The paint is applied in layers, some opaque, some translucent, and the color is luminous. Encaustic paintings are not framed under glass because the natural sheen of the beeswax creates a beautiful surface. Occasional buffing with a soft cloth keeps the painting looking its best.

Recent Oil Paintings

Boy with Flag, 2007, oil on canvas, 39" x 50"

In the Breach, 2007, oil on canvas, 39" x 50"