In painting, my aim is to give the viewer more than what’s seen, but what’s felt at that moment, fully immersed in nature. Being out in wild places, observing resilience and interconnectedness gives me comfort in an ever-changing world. This quest to discover by looking deeper is what draws me to paint nature.
The Pacific Northwest provides a perfect playground to study dramatic landscapes and exaggerated skies that inspire my work. And encaustic lets me express nature’s complexity and beauty like no other medium I’ve tried. Layer upon layer of wax gives a translucency and luminosity that mirrors nature: guided by the elements, but never fully tameable.
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My process...
Beginning with wax medium on a cradled board, I keep a variety of other materials at hand: paints, pigments, oil sticks and inks, papers, plaster, shellac and other organic elements. Each medium has its own unique interplay with the layers above and below it. The process of encaustic is both additive and subtractive, allowing me to build up and carve back while laying down a dozen or more layers. |
I use a gas torch like a second paintbrush, moving fire, air and liquid wax mimicking how natural forces might carve deep ravines, etch rock faces and conjure great waves. The alchemy of encaustic wax and heat requires a patient slow dance, going with the flow rather than trying to force control. It’s a familiar life lesson for me. Patience does not come easily. I had to learn techniques to ‘get into the flow’ as a way to enhance creativity and avoid burnout over my three decades as a design professional and business owner. |
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Now painting full time, I’ve learned my best studio work results from a process that is meditative and contemplative. I put myself fully and fearlessly into this practice. Watching the flame, I am reminded of nature’s resiliency. Comforted, it's within my reach to sculpt and shape the life I desire and what I put forth into the world.
I share my time between Portland and Gleneden Beach, OR where I try to keep up with my 4 grandkids, husband and ‘big boned’ kitty, Thor. Current works are available at the Pacific Artist’s Co-op Gallery in Lincoln City, OR and at www.sarahemmer.com
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More about Sara Hemmer
In 2021-2022, Sara was selected as Artist in Residence at the EncaustiCastle, a creative hive run by encaustic evangelist, artist and author Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch. In those sixteen weeks (over 1,000 studio hours), she strengthened her ability to listen to her instinctive voice. “What Trish shared with me was more important than any single technique. She shared her approach for connecting more deeply with that creative flow. She helped me not only improve my encaustic craft, but to dive deeper into my studio practice in a way that can be sustained.”
In 2021-2022, Sara was selected as Artist in Residence at the EncaustiCastle, a creative hive run by encaustic evangelist, artist and author Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch. In those sixteen weeks (over 1,000 studio hours), she strengthened her ability to listen to her instinctive voice. “What Trish shared with me was more important than any single technique. She shared her approach for connecting more deeply with that creative flow. She helped me not only improve my encaustic craft, but to dive deeper into my studio practice in a way that can be sustained.”
