Sarah Williamson is an Encaustic artist who has lived in Hope, in the Tasman District of New Zealand for many years, having originally emigrated from Northumberland, England, the home of Harry Potter, Dire Straits, and the Roman Wall. Her passion lies in Encaustic Art, an art form derived from the Greek word [enkaustikos], meaning “to heat or burn.” This ancient technique was initially used by the Greeks to caulk ship hulls. Her work combines a mixture of natural and sustainable materials such as hessian, plaster of Paris, Indian inks, beeswax, and resin, producing archival paintings.

Working with Encaustic is a joy for Sarah, from the beautiful aroma and creamy texture to the diverse options it offers for creation. Painting, carving, accretion, scraping, layering, and sculpture are all part of her process. She is constantly captivated by the unpredictable nature of the medium and allows it to guide her creative intuition.

Sarah makes her own Encaustic Medium using local wax, to which she adds caster wax, pigments, oil sticks, and oil paint. Inks, pastels, shellac, and oil sticks are integral parts of her work. Currently, she is working on two bodies of work: Paradise Lost and Resurgence. Paradise Lost reflects imaginary fauna and flora, and new species emerging from the ever-changing environment. Resurgence depicts the constant movement of tectonic plates, sea beds, rivers, glacial shifts, and skies. She also has a selection of Giclee prints and cards.

Her process is multilayered; she paints several layers of white pigmented encaustic medium, fusing each layer with a naked flame. She then explores using a range of tools, drawing into, mark-making, and scraping back. It’s a conceal-and-reveal process that reflects erosion, decay, growth, and renewal. Sarah is currently a resident artist at Gravity Gallery and Vineyard Mahana.