July 31, 2020 -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

International Encaustic Artists presents “Vignettes in Wax and Words” - their first international juried exhibition in digital magazine format   

Featuring 40 artists from 10 countries, International Encaustic Artists presents “Vignettes in Wax and Words” – their first virtual exhibition - to a global audience.  Juried by well-known encaustic artist, Lora Murphy, the exhibition will premiere on August 1, 2020, on International Encaustic Artists’ website.  The exhibition is free and available to the public and can be viewed at https://www.international-encaustic-artists.org/Vignettes-in-Wax-and-Words. 

International Encaustic Artists (IEA) is an association of artists who use wax (encaustic, cold wax, or any other wax-based medium) as primary elements in their work.  IEA is committed to supporting the growth and advancement of artists at all stages of their careers and providing opportunities and resources within a global community.

IEA President, S. Kay Burnett noted: “Last fall when we posted the call for entry for a digital-juried exhibition that would include encaustic and wax artists from around the world, we had no idea how timely it would be. We received a diverse and inspirational selection of entries that reflect this historic time we are living in - a shared voice using art and words that brings our global community together through art.” 

The exhibition combines a “vignette in wax” – which could be a painting, sculpture, assemblage or installation – with “and words” which could be any evocative description that describes or enhances the art.  The 44 works featured here reflect a wide spectrum of styles and techniques in 2D and 3D and illustrates how diverse and seductive wax can be. 

As Juror Lora Murphy observed:  “The standard of work was extremely high, and as I worked my way through the many submissions, I looked very closely at the words that accompanied the paintings and tried to experience the artists’ intent. I also considered the technical aspects of how this difficult medium was used. Looking at the overall design and composition of the artworks, I was truly humbled by the brilliance of many of these works. I spent a long time agonizing over my decisions and second-guessing my choices, but ultimately, I would be thrilled to own any of these works.  Truly, your Art is stellar!”

Lora was educated in Ireland, the United States, and Italy, where she earned honors degrees before training as an oil painter in a traditional atelier in Florence, Italy.  A professional artist, she works primarily in 

encaustic and mixed media and teaches at her vibrant and wildly popular art school Essence of Mulranny Studios in Mulranny County Mayo.  She has exhibited widely in Ireland, Denmark, Germany, Italy, and the United States. 

For more information about Lora and her studio, please go to www.loramurphypaintings.com and www.essenceofmulranny.com

“Hope Springs”, Encaustic, collage on panel, 28 x 14 in
All rights reserved by the artist.

Juror Award recipients:   Lyn Belisle, Anne Curran, Andy DeWeerdt, and Otty Merrill

Congratulations to all the artists selected for this exhibition:

Shary Bartlett, Lyn Belisle (Juror Award), Carolyn Berry, Susana F. Blanco, Maureen Outlaw Church, Anne Curran (Juror Award), Andy DeWeerdt (Juror Award), Katharine Dufault, Connie Ehindero, Phyllis Bryce Ely, Gretchen Forrest, Alison Fullerton, Penny Gunderson, Susan Hess, Bobbi Kilty, Beate Kratt, Whitney Krueger, Patricia Leeds, Ursi Lysser, Cynthia Makara, Anne McCune, Jamie McPhail, Otty Merrill (Juror Award), Kylie T Millar, Deborah Peeples, Tami Phelps, Amanda Pierce, Melissa Porter, Jennifer Pretzeus, Regina B. Quinn, Rhonda Raulston, Deanne Row, Melissa Rubin, Heidi Rufeh, Jean K Stephens, Nancy Torbitt-Stewart, Panto Trivkovic, Lara Williams, Shelley Wuitchik, Yulia Mamontova Zabrodina

Exhibition curated by IEA members S. Kay Burnett and Paul Kline

30 July 2020