Made In England

The art of encaustic painting uses hot coloured waxes and was first used around five thousand years ago, many of the techniques had fallen into disuse. However, it has been revived as a painting medium in recent times.

For many years I have experimented with the media of paint and sculpture in search of a technique and style that fulfils my creative needs. Presently it has brought me to a technique that could be described as mixed media incorporating encaustic, acrylics and inks and a style which is semi abstract. I manipulate the hot wax in a similar way to that in which a sculptor might shape clay. I think of this as ‘sculptural painting’.

Personal responses to life experiences and aspects of my surroundings have helped me develop my style. Initially, my source material came from my background in life science, particularly fossil shapes, but now I am mainly influenced by the rural surroundings in which I live.

I like to explore the properties of the wax itself as a painting medium: different effects can be produced by varying the temperature and pressure. Such changes in its properties produce different layering and translucency, allowing for subtle changes in colour and form producing depth and stratification. It also helps to enhance fluidity of organic forms and shows nuances of line, tone and intensity, which create virtual sculptural forms.

Bruce is a member of the Lincolnshire Artists' Society:

He participates in Art on the Map - Lincolnshire's annual open studios scheme.

To visit his studio in Stow at other times, contact Bruce through his website: