5.0 (5)

1k followers

Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, I received my BA from Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, and continue my arts education though workshops and specialized instruction. Currently living in Walnut Creek, CA, I am an encaustic painting instructor, working artist and advocate for the arts. In 2020, I co-developed a virtual gallery and developed a YouTube channel called The Encaustic Edge. I also started a business coaching artists, at all levels in their careers. I serve on several art boards, volunteer at galleries in the San Francisco Bay area, and host live and virtual encaustic demonstrations.

Encaustic is an ancient artform that originates with the Greeks and Egyptians. Layers of molten beeswax and a blow torch are my idea of a good time!

Through the years, I have discovered how fulfilling it is to teach the art I love to make. It is my pleasure to feed people’s creative appetites, give them new knowledge and share ideas. My artwork has been exhibited in Turkey, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, Washington, New York, and California, and I have collectors around the globe.

Classes

Encaustic Art and Champagne Class

Runs regularly

Walnut Creek

1 to 4

$100

Encaustic Painting Class: Expressive Surface Design

12 Mar

Walnut Creek

1 to 8

$225

Encaustic Painting Class: Expressive Surface Design

Sun, Mar 12, 11:30am

Walnut Creek

1 to 8

$225

Encaustic Painting Class - Beginner

Sun, Mar 5, 12pm

Walnut Creek / Mobile

1 to 8

$175 - $480

Encaustic Painting Class: Water Ways

Sat, Mar 18, 11:30am

Walnut Creek / Mobile

1 to 8

$175 - $480

Encaustic Painting Class: Luminous Layers

Sat, Mar 25, 11am

Walnut Creek

1 to 8

$225

Encaustic Painting Class: Ring of Fire

Sun, Mar 19, 12pm

Walnut Creek

1 to 8

$175

Photo Encaustic Painting Class

Your choice of time

Walnut Creek / Mobile

2 to 8

$175 - $480

5.0 (3)

Encaustic Painting Class: Make Your Mark

Your choice of time

Walnut Creek / Mobile

2 to 8

$175 - $480

5.0 (2)

Encaustic Painting Class: Hot Plate Art

Your choice of time

Walnut Creek / Mobile

2 to 8

$175 - $480

Collage Art: Embedded Objects Class

Your choice of time

Walnut Creek

2 to 8

$225

Encaustic Painting Class: Stencils and Photo Transfers

Your choice of time

Walnut Creek

2 to 8

$225

Painting Class: Mini Series

Your choice of time

Walnut Creek

2 to 8

$175

Stamping and Gelli Printmaking Class

Your choice of time

Walnut Creek

2 to 8

$225

Encaustic Drawing and Brushing Class

Your choice of time

Walnut Creek

2 to 8

$225

Encaustic Painting Class: Metallic Shine

Your choice of time

Walnut Creek

2 to 8

$175

Realism with Wax Paint Workshop

Your choice of time

Walnut Creek

2 to 8

$225

Encaustic Shellac Class

Your choice of time

Walnut Creek

2 to 8

$175

Creative Stamping Workshop

Your choice of time

Walnut Creek

2 to 8

$175

Photo Encaustic Class

Your choice of time

Walnut Creek

3 to 8

$225

Paper Flower Making Class

Your choice of time

Walnut Creek

2 to 8

$225

Creative Stamping and Printmaking Course

Your choice of time

Walnut Creek

2 to 8

$480

Reviews

(5)

Elizabeth Springs • Jan 2023

Photo Encaustic Painting Class

Melissa is so knowledgeable on the subject matter and a very patient instructor for someone with no experience. It was such fun to create something new on the first go.

Sara Sha • Nov 2022

Photo Encaustic Painting Class

I took the encaustic photography class with Melissa today. It was such a fun class! Melissa taught me so much. She had three of my photographs ready to paint with wax. Her studio was set up really great with so many pretty paintings hanging. I thought it was awesome that she makes her own paints! I might buy some products to make more encaustic paintings. I definitely would recommend this class!

Renée Switkes • Sep 2022

Photo Encaustic Painting Class

Melissa knows encaustic and teaches it well. She is patient, understanding, caring, and very helpful. The class is in her very clean well organized garage with artwork on the walls and multiple table stations to work. She provided all materials needed and was well prepared to give the lesson. She asked for us to send digital images ahead of time that she printed and adhered to cradled wood panels. She demonstrated how to use different mediums with the encaustic as well as went over safety measures. I came home with three artworks that I am very + more

Eveline Saur • Dec 2021

Encaustic Painting Class: Make Your Mark

I gifted this class to my mom and couldn't be happier! Melissa did a wonderful job meeting her student where they're at and teaching new techniques. She's a kind and encouraging teacher. Her studio setup is awesome, too! I highly recommend this class!

Sandra • Nov 2021

Encaustic Painting Class: Make Your Mark

Melissa had everything set up and ready for us to learn. She explained the history of encaustic painting and then demonstrated the technique. She didn't tell us what to do but helped us to be brave in trying new things. We had a great afternoon and ended up with some cool artwork!

Melissa Stephens

Reviews