In my research I found only one
book on the subject – Encaustic
Materials and Methods, written
by Frances Pratt and Becca
Fizel. Through their sources of
supply, I found the only art supply
company still in existence that
produced ready-made encaustic
material “The Torch Company”
in New York City. One of their
best customers was Jasper
Johns. I met Al and Jerry Torch
who showed me beautiful,
exquisite cakes of colors which
they produced and sold. (Incidentally,
Richard Furness was
then making the colors and he
now runs R.& F. Company in
Rochester, NY, still producing
these marvelous encaustics). I
just loved seeing these enticing
colors and bought what I could,
knowing I would not have the
tedious job of making my own
colors.
But, alas, the oldest art supply
store in the United States was
going out of business and they,
along with Ilene Kischel who also
worked for them, asked me if
I wanted to buy what encaustics
they had left. Of course, I
agreed, especially since the
price was reasonable and I
lusted for the beautiful cakes I
saw in their sample case. After
a few weeks trucks appeared at
my studio with huge shipments
of encaustic cakes, enough to
last a few lifetimes. I piled them
all in my basement until I got
the nerve to confess to my dear
husband, Richard, what I had
done. That decision to purchase
these amazing, beautiful colors
turned out to be the beginning
of a new successful career for
me of winning many prizes,
doing demonstrations across the
country, having huge exhibits,
presenting workshops from coast
to coast, and selling “Torch”
encaustics.
Crucifixion, 16.5” x 16.5”, 1984. This is one of my Stations of the Cross
paintings where I literally poured white wax paint onto the board to create
dramatic movement of the Christ figure. Every painting in this series had a
gold cross in it.
Nefertiti Image, 18” x 24”, 1985. I started my “Image Series” which began
with this painting of Nefertiti. One side of a board was painted with the
image and then I used good printing paper to iron off a image to place on
the opposite side which was glued down. Corrections were made on both
sides until I was satisfied with the whole concept. This painting turned
out to be my logo, paying homage to ancient Greeks, Egyptians, and
Romans, early artists who painted with wax over 2,000 years ago.
Dorothy Masom
Portfolio
27
Summer
www.EAINM.com