Artist Spotlight 

We are proud of the ever-growing diversity of Artwey, from the varied demographics of our membership to the huge array of media employed by our artists. Our core goal is and has always been “to promote art in our community”. One key way in which we fulfil this multi-faceted mission is by bringing local creatives together, providing opportunities for individual artists to forge ties with one another. We firmly believe that anyone has the capacity make art and we feel passionate about creating an environment where everyone feels able to share their work and ask questions, free from judgement.

Next year we celebrate Artwey’s 15th anniversary! Fifteen years of making art together, fifteen years of shared wisdom, experience and passion. With this in mind, we thought you’d like to hear from some of our members and find out what makes them tick. Who better to kick off our “Artist Spotlight” feature, than Portland-based, encaustic wax artist, Lyn Kirkland. Lyn has been an Artwey member since 2016. She spent 5 years as a director from 2018 to 2022 and continues to be an active member of our group.

Charlotte Beare (director) caught up with Lyn at her home on Portland.

So Lyn, what is it about encaustic wax that you love?

Well, although I’ve always had an artistic flair, and I love painting and drawing, encaustic wax really grabbed and held my attention in a way nothing else ever had. It’s a unique and little-known medium… I like that about it! I’m very much a “people person” and there’s a small but worldwide encaustic artist community that is really close-knit, supportive and passionate. It’s wonderful to be part of something like that. 

It sounds like it’s as much about the people then, as the medium itself?

Yes - I just knew I wanted to learn and build connections with others, to find my “tribe” if you know what I mean? I took part in a 2 year online encaustic painting workshop (2021 to 2022) and every week we had a different tutor who shared some aspect of the medium and showcased its versatility. I made online friends and contacts via that course. Recently, when one of those artists offered a course in County Mayo in Ireland I signed up. I was there for 12 days, earlier this month. It was great to meet other encaustic artists in person and I’ve come away totally fired up and full of ideas!

We artists definitely need community. Art-making can sometimes be a pretty solitary activity  but for you it’s been really sociable! How do you keep so active in the encaustic wax community? 

Well, for one thing I run workshops from my studio on Portland. Would you believe I’m actually now a platinum-rated tutor on craftcourses.com ?! I also joined the IEA (International Encaustic Artists) group where I’ve made lots of contacts with artists and tutors across the world. I submit my work quite frequently to Open Calls. Sometimes you don’t get anywhere but then again, when you do get that recognition it’s a great boost. In 2016, I submitted a piece to the Black Swan Prize with Frome Art Society and won their Emerging Artist prize. I’ve also been shortlisted for the Royal West of England Academy. 

During the pandemic two Chapters of the IEA (European encaustic artists and New England Wax group) initiated a transatlantic project whereby artists were randomly paired, and both were asked to create an artwork in response to one another. The first ‘diptychs’ were exhibited during the 

International Encaustic Conference in Provincetown, Maine in 2022. And next July, I’m exhibiting the second pairing near Hamburg in Germany where I hope to meet my ‘painting partner’ Heather, in person! 

That’s so inspiring Lyn — it can feel like you’re baring your soul when you share your artwork but it’s worth taking the leap. What advice would you give someone just starting out?

Believe in yourself and allow your art to enrich your soul. If you’re lucky enough to find something you truly love doing, then celebrate it, talk about it and show it off. We all need people and I think finding a community to share your art with is important. It makes things exciting, even if putting your work “out there” is scary and overwhelming at first. We all have questions when we first start out. How do I hang my work? How should I price my painting/sculpture/textile art? I’ve found that people are almost always kind and feel honoured to be asked. 

You’re now a well-established artist but do you still feel like you’re challenging yourself?

Absolutely. I’ve been working in encaustic wax for over ten years now but I’m still a pupil, always open to learning new things. I’m a teacher but I’m also still a student. In a way I feel a responsibility to keep sharing, to keep learning.  Encaustic wax is an ancient medium but it’s not well-known. It’s up to us — the encaustic community — to keep it thriving, growing and passing on our skills to the next generation. During Covid, I received an ‘Art Heals’ grant from the IEA for encaustic art materials so that I could keep growing my practice. I also recently applied for Arts Council funding — I didn’t get it, but I’ll try again. It’s about resilience and having that belief in what you do.  

What are you currently working on?

I’m always working on multiple things at a time. To someone else it must seem chaotic but it’s just my way! I’ve been looking at pebbles on Chesil Beach, particularly at the Portland end and I’m using the lovely markings, colours and textures to inform some semi-abstract paintings, exploring mark-making. I’m also busy making encaustic Christmas baubles, experimenting with wax inside glass. And then I have a couple of ideas cooking based on my Irish journey. 

You can see Lyn’s work exhibited at the Duchess of Cornwall with Art in Poundbury throughout November. She’ll also be at Portland’s Chiswell Walled Garden Christmas Fair on 2nd Dec. For more information about her personalised encaustic wax workshops, visit her website https://lynkirklandart.artweb.com/contemporary-encaustic-wax-workshop