It's the weekend folks, and that means it's time to relax and steal some time for yourself.  So grab a cozy blanket and a cuppa and let me introduce you to Susan Najarian, a mixed media artist living on an island near Seattle.  Susan specializes in encaustics and shares a little bit about her process with us today.  She also has a treat for one lucky reader!  So read on...

When did you start selling your handmade goods online?

I opened my Etsy shop in February 2009. The second day it was open I sold a painting.  It was called "Love Bird in Winter" (shown below) and was an original encaustic painting.

You work a lot with encaustic, on photography and paintings.  When did you discover this technique?

I’ve worked in many mediums over the years. There are a lot of artists in the Seattle area working in encaustic. I saw some paintings at a Seattle gallery and was instantly drawn to the technique.  There is a sensual, tactile quality with encaustics.  I like the texture and how the medium lends itself to working with collage and I’m able to incorporate my photography into many of my paintings. Covering the photos with encaustic wax protects and gives the image a dreamy romantic quality.

What's your process like for creating encaustic works?

Encaustic is from the ancient Greek word that means to heat. The medium consists of beeswax melted with a small amount of resin to impart hardness. This mixture becomes paint when pigment is added to the molten wax.  I use the hot wax like paint and I fuse layers of wax to a stable surface using a blowtorch or heat gun.

I love the process of encaustics. There is a lot of preparation, which I see as part of the fun. Also, living here in the gray, damp Pacific Northwest I like the warm, sweet smelling medium (as beeswax warms, there is a sweet smell of honey).

I really like your line of miniatures.  What inspired you to make those really small pieces of art?

I think everyone should have a chance to own original artwork.  I created “mini” encaustic paintings so that even someone on a limited budget can have an original painting.

Plus, they're lots of fun to create!

Do you ever get in to a creative funk?

You know, since I’ve started my online business I haven’t really had a creative “funk.” I think creating art every day keeps me inspired and motivated.  I also get a tremendous amount of satisfaction from selling my work. It’s funny, I love my art but knowing the pieces find their own homes brightens my days and inspires my work.

What can we expect to see from you in 2010?

Some of my new work is custom created mixed media collage paintings. I create beautiful collaged pieces using new and vintage photos clients email to me. These are one of kind personalized pieces of art that hold special meaning to buyer and they also have the opportunity to be an integral part of the creative process.

I feel blessed to have found the opportunity to share my work with others and look forward to continuing my journey in art with all of you.

I'm definitely looking forward to seeing more of your works, Susan!  And I'm also pleased to announce a very special giveaway today. 

Susan has so kindly offered to give away one of her miniature encaustic paintings to a lucky reader.  Winner chooses among the ones listed in her shop.  You can check those out here.

To enter, we're giving you two ways:

1. Leave a comment on this post letting us know which mini encaustic you would choose if you won.  1 ENTRY.
2. Tweet about this giveaway on twitter and leave a separate comment with your twitter ID.  1 ENTRY.

One winner will be selected at random and announced on February 5th.  Good luck to everyone!