Melissa Stephens, painting teacher

Melissa Stephens

location_on Walnut Creek, Oakland (Bay Area)

local_activity classes: Paint and SipPainting

5.0 (9)
Instagram followers1k

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

5.0 (1)

date_range Runs regularly

location_on Walnut Creek

1 to 4

label $100

Encaustic Painting Class: Make Your Mark

5.0 (3)

date_range Your choice of time

location_on Walnut Creek / Mobile

2 to 8

label $175 - $480

Encaustic Painting Class: Ring of Fire

5.0 (1)

date_range Sun, Apr 7, 10:30am

location_on Walnut Creek

1 to 8

label $175

Stamping and Gelli Printmaking Class

5.0 (1)

date_range Sat, Apr 6, 10:30am

location_on Walnut Creek

1 to 8

label $225

Encaustic Painting Class: Ink Exploration

date_range Sat, Apr 13, 10:45am

location_on Walnut Creek

1 to 8

label $175

Painting Class: Mini Series

date_range Sun, Apr 21, 10:30am

location_on Walnut Creek

1 to 8

label $175

Encaustic Painting Class: Metallic Shine

date_range Sun, Mar 31, 10:30am

location_on Walnut Creek

1 to 8

label $175

Collage Art: Embedded Objects Class

date_range 14 Apr, 5 May

location_on Walnut Creek

1 to 8

label $225

Encaustic Painting Class: Photo Transfers

date_range 28 Apr, 26 May

location_on Walnut Creek

1 to 8

label $225

Photo Encaustic Class

date_range Sat, Apr 27, 10:30am

location_on Walnut Creek

1 to 8

label $225

Encaustic Painting Class - Beginner

date_range Your choice of time

location_on Walnut Creek / Mobile

2 to 8

label $175 - $480

Encaustic Painting Class: Water Ways

date_range Your choice of time

location_on Walnut Creek / Mobile

2 to 8

label $175 - $480

Encaustic Painting Class: Hot Plate Art

date_range Your choice of time

location_on Walnut Creek / Mobile

2 to 8

label $175 - $480

Encaustic Painting Class: Stencils

date_range Your choice of time

location_on Walnut Creek

1 to 8

label $175

Encaustic Shellac Class

date_range Your choice of time

location_on Walnut Creek

2 to 8

label $175

Encaustic Painting Class: Expressive Surface Design

date_range Your choice of time

location_on Walnut Creek

1 to 8

label $225

Encaustic Drawing and Brushing Class

date_range Your choice of time

location_on Walnut Creek

2 to 8

label $225

Encaustic Painting Class: Luminous Layers

date_range Your choice of time

location_on Walnut Creek

3 to 8

label $225






Reviews

(9)


Jessica Stanton & Jeff Lee Feb 2024


Really enjoyed the class - good mix of didactic time and still plenty of time to play. Melissa was well-organised and had all the materials we needed.

Painting class review by Jessica Stanton & Jeff Lee - Oakland (Bay Area)

Teacher's response

Thank you for leaving me a 5-star review. It was great meeting you both. Please contact me with any other interest you may have in my classes, or if you have any questions or concerns as you set up your own studio.
Cheers, Melissa Stephens

Gay Heit Dec 2023


Melissa was a warm and welcoming teacher. We covered an amazing amount of information in the time we had and she has a vast array of tools to work with. I came away with so many ideas and look forward to taking another class with her to expand my encaustic knowledge.

Sonnia Jean Kemmer Nov 2023


Melissa Stephens was a great teacher. She knows her craft and very willing to share to others. She's knowledgeable on a lot of artistic aspects, and I'm very much interested to attend another class of hers. Her art studio was perfect for the class, very spacious, open, and motivational. She has lots of materials/tools. The whole class made me feel like a kid again, playing with different colors and learning all kinds of tips and tricks. It was a wonderful experience.

Terry Pimental Mar 2023


Such a truly creative experience! I was able to let life go and just be in the moment! Our teacher was personable and made me feel comfortable! The sparkling wine and treats at the end of as a perfect way to cap the evening!

Elizabeth Springs Jan 2023


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.

Painting class review by Elizabeth Springs - Oakland (Bay Area)

Sara Sha Nov 2022


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!

Painting class review by Sara Sha - Oakland (Bay Area)

Renée Switkes Sep 2022


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 happy with and I look forward to taking another class with her.

Eveline Saur Dec 2021


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!

Encaustic Painting Class: Make Your Mark review by Eveline Saur - Oakland (Bay Area)

Sandra Nov 2021


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!

4FHB8OR140 b96a490f1dd90bcefdba5812d2d1076a production Oakland (Bay Area) CA US oakland-bay-area