Coast trail offering a peek behind the canvas

The arts community on the Coast will be on show when 15 venues open their doors as part of the Hibiscus Art Studio Trail next month.

The 15 venues will include a number of private studios not normally open to the public. They will feature the artwork of more than 45 artists including potters, sculptors, painters, printmakers, quilters, photographers and writers. 

The trail is organised by the Hibiscus Coast Arts Council as a “celebration of creativity” and will also include guided tours, art talks, workshops and demonstrations.

Millwater artist Tracey Currington will be one of the artist’s opening her home studio over the three day event, from February 14 to 16.

Tracey practises the ancient technique of encaustic painting which involves using heated beeswax with damar (tree gum) and pigments to create artwork. She explains that the beeswax and damar are melted together to form the encaustic medium. Pigments are added and then the mixture is heated to around 160 to 180 degrees Celsius to keep it in a liquid state during the painting process.

It is a technique that takes time and practise, with some artworks consisting of
40 layers …

The molten encaustic solution is applied to the hard panel painting surface using brushes, palette knives and other tools. 

“I can work with the medium while it’s hot, allowing for blending, layering and texturing,” Tracey says. “The crucial step is fusing the layers, which is done using tools such as a blowtorch or heat gun.”
It is a technique that takes time and practise, with some artworks consisting of 40 layers, each one carefully heated so as not to lose detail and individual colours.

“Unless, of course, that’s the finish you are looking for.”

Techniques include scraping, incising, embedding materials such as collage, photographs or small objects, and different textures can be achieved through the manipulation of the wax layers.

Once the artwork is finished, it is buffed with a soft cloth to achieve a resin-like appearance, “but a lot more natural”.

“The use of natural wax gives the artwork a translucency and an almost three-dimensional quality.”

Tracey also paints in acrylics, mixed media and watercolours with many of her works on display in her home, and is looking forward to next month’s event.

The Arts Trail will coincide with the Ōrewa Boulevard Arts Fiesta on Saturday February 15 and trail maps are available from local libraries, Estuary Arts, Emma Jean Framing, Ōrewa Framing or head to the dedicated Art Trail website at www.hibiscusartstudiotrail.com