“Guided by my heart, I paint with the natural elements of beeswax, pigments, and fire; allowing me to infuse the mesmerizing beauty of nature into my art.”

about Shima. I work in the ancient and alchemic medium of encaustic–painting with beeswax and fire. My impressionistic paintings are inspired by the rhythm and flow of nature, water, and light conveying a deep sense of peace within the natural world. 

In my studio, I experiment with the mercurial elements of beeswax. Layering bold brush strokes of molten wax and pure pigments mixed with damar resin (a tree sap from Indonesia) I create a rough-yet-refined texture. Then with the flame of a torch I smooth the wax to a satin finish creating deep luminous spaces that draw  you beneath the surface. Adding the elements-layering, fusing, watching the beeswax and pigment combine- become my meditation. When I see what I feel in my heart I know my work is done. 

Like all impressionistic art, and especially encaustic painting, creating my work requires I let go of every last bit of ego; allowing Spirit to guide me. It has taught me to treasure the imperfection and spontaneity of life.

I live with my husband, Jim Kelly in the lakeside hamlet of Del Dios near San Diego. Timeless joy of lost hours in my studio and the simple pleasure of outdoors balances the business demands and travel of my artist career. 

the process. I paint molten beeswax mixed with pigment and the natural tree sap called damar resin onto a birch panel. Between each layer of wax I fuse with the flame of a torch, then repeat. Again and again up to fifty layers of wax and more.

There are no limits to the freedom and expression of encaustic painting. Its appeal lies in the immediacy and versatility of the medium. The wax can be built up or scraped down. It can be precise or messy, finite or infinite, flat or dimensional. It can be smoothed and polished to a high gloss, or left textured, rough-yet-refined; combined with color or left in its natural hue. The free flow of molten beeswax has a mind of its own and there is little control over the process. Every painting is a practice of allowing.

care. Encaustic is archival and durable and requires common-sense care like all fine art paintings. Beeswax is its own preservative from moisture and deterioration. It is sensitive to extreme heat and cold and thrives best at room temperature, 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Wax mixed with damar resin will melt around 200 degrees so it is unlikely a painting will ever melt, however it is not recommended to hang a painting in direct sunlight; or leave in a car on hot or freezing days where it may become sticky or shatter. Once the beeswax and resin are fully cured (which may take up to 9 months) the painting will retain a beautiful patina and permanent gloss. Before then, if it appears cloudy, simply buff with a soft white cloth and  your encaustic painting will return to a high luster.