Meet Janet Armstrong | Encaustic Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Janet Armstrong and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Janet, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it is better to listen to what it has to say. -Paul Coelho, The Alchemist

I am a collector of words. I have always collected favorite quotes and occasionally insert them in my mixed media encaustic abstracts. I read the book, The Alchemist, when it was assigned to my son’s middle school class. There are so many profound lessons to be learned from this book. It’s one of those books that you notice different lessons with repeated readings.

This particular quote hit home for me during a transition time of my life. I think everyone marks time by large or traumatic moments in their lives. Graduating, marrying, giving birth, experiencing loss and major health changes. One of those moments I experienced was being diagnosed and treated for a brain tumor. It really affected my life and my perspective. I still think about all the emotions and difficulties I experienced the year of symptoms, discovery, surgery and recovery. But I think it also amplified my inner longings and helped me prioritize. I was able to embrace my “loves” with a lighter feeling. I did not feel so guilty about time spent “unproductively” like being there for friends, taking care of kids and parents or learning new art mediums. I knew then that I did not want to continue my job and just wanted to spend my days creating art. I realized that when I look back on how I spent my time I will never regret the joy I feel spending time creating and caring. In all aspects of life I always want to create because I just love it. And I always want to put my people first because life means nothing without them.

Sometimes I veer off course but I always come back to my art. I will continue to listen to my heart and try to express those feelings in my paintings. It makes the journey of creating feel like a bit of a journal of my life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
https://www.janetarmstrongart.com/about

I have been an art enthusiast all my life. I have explored many mediums but none grabbed my attention to the extent that encaustic painting has. It is an ancient art literally dating back to the first century AD. The Fayum Mummy portraits are the oldest surviving encaustic paintings from Egypt 300 AD. Encaustic painting combines beeswax and pigment with a heat source. Artists use many different formulas of beeswax, resin hardener and pigments as well as manufactured encaustic paints. The medium is applied to a rigid substrate in a molten state at 200 degrees F. I like to use manufactured paints, I make my own medium with various strengths of pigmentation as well as oil paint sticks, oil pastels, papers and found objects. This is a many layered process. Every layer requires heating once again to bond to the surface below it. I prefer blow torches of many sizes and heat guns to “paint with fire”.

Pictures do not do encaustic painting justice. I am in love with luminosity and texture that can be achieved from beeswax and the endless possibilities of techniques. Encaustic is a particularly satisfying medium to touch, it feels just like a candle. And embedding papers, photos, objects and nature is made simpler by using this medium. Painting with fire also allows the waxes to react chemically in a spontaneous matter that can be amazing yet difficulty to control. It forces me to let go of expectations and become a loose painter. When pieces are flowing it is as though the wax has a mind of its own. This is where the magic lies and what keeps me coming back for more.

I think when people see the pieces, the multi dimensional textures and the truly unique designs they are quick to overcome their concerns of caring for encaustic art People worry about the painting melting or becoming damaged. These pieces are quite safe in homes with conditioned space. No storing in attics or basements though as that can crack the wax. As with all fine art, it is best preserved hanging on a wall and handled with care. And the wax itself is non porous. This seal makes the art archival and safe with moisture. The colors will not fade with age.

I love that there is always more to learn with this medium. Setting up a studio to safely and easily be able to paint is a bit of hurdle at the beginning but so worth it. I am currently selling in 3 galleries and on my own website. I hope to keep evolving with my subject matter but I do have a strong pull to nature and abstracts. I hope to keep learning and growing the love and knowledge of encaustic painting.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Roswell is my home for the last 25 years and when I have visitors I can’t wait to show it off. It is a wonderful town to live, work and play in. I live in the historic district which has wonderful markers all around town to educate about the history of the area. The preserved antebellum homes and plantations are a peek into the past and really define Roswell. The Roswell Mill on the Chattahoochee is a favorite stop complete with a waterfall, covered bridge and miles of hiking trails. And the walkable downtown area is filled with every type of cuisine you could ask for. We are lucky to have one fo the best parks and recreation in the state. When I have visitors I like to give them a tour of the town including, Bulloch Hall, the cemeteries dating back to the Civil War, the River Walk, the covered bridge. We enjoy some wonderful food and drink on Canton Street and nearby. Some shopping can be mixed in and even some pickle ball. Roswell is truly a small town feel in a big town with easy access to recreation, dining and culture. I feel lucky to have raised my family here.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Penny Treese is the instructor who has had the largest impact on my art. I sought out a way to learn the unique medium of encaustic paint and gained a teacher, mentor and friend. I am continually inspired by her work and her wisdom 9 years later.

Pennytreese.com

Website: janetarmstrongart.com

Instagram: janetarmstrongart