Buyers are responsible for return shipping costs. If the item is not returned in its original condition, the buyer is responsible for any loss in value.

Shipping costs today are very expensive. And, especially with larger pieces of art, I worry about the potential for damage. So for art that’s up to 48 inches in either linear direction, I do one of two things:

1. I add a shipping and insurance surcharge to individual pieces.
2. I will literally drive it your home. If you’re located with 500 miles of my home in mid- Michigan and order a large piece, there’s a strong possibility it would be safer and less expensive to simply drive it to you myself. We can discuss.

In the pre-covid world, I would show my work at up 12-15 community art fairs in the Midwest a season (generally Memorial Day through Labor Day). I did no art fairs in 2020 and expect to do only a limited number in 2021. For a full schedule of my appearances – and other news such as pieces I’m working on – sign up for my occasional newsletter.

Encaustic is an ancient painting technique that originated with the Greeks. They initially used beeswax to make ships waterproof. They later added pigments to the wax for additional decoration. The process evolved into painting. Some of the earliest examples of encaustic paintings are funeral portraits in Fayum, Egypt, that date to the 1st-3rd centuries.

Today’s encaustic artists work in much the same way as their predecessors, mixing beeswax with damar resin to create their medium. The word encaustic originates from the Greek word ‘enkaustikos’ which means to ‘burn in’ and reflects a necessary part of encaustic painting, the fusing of each layer with heat before a new layer is added. Damar resin (which comes from a tree found in the East Indies) is typically added to the beeswax in various ratios to add durability, increase the beeswax’s melting point, and provide varying degrees of luster.

Many artists today create layer upon layer of encaustic – often manipulating it once it has cooled – to create works of indelible depth and texture. Other artists add elements such as photos, collage material, stencils and even sand to their medium..

Encaustic is archival – it will never yellow or fade – and very durable. As with any piece of art, however, there are certain precautions you should take to guard against damage.

1. Provide a Consistent Temperature – Hang and store at normal room temperatures. Avoid freezing and extremely hot temperatures; encaustic will soften at around 120°F and melt at 150°F.
2. Avoid Direct Sunlight – Keep all artwork out of direct sunlight because of potential heat damage.
3. Transporting – When packing encaustic art for transportation, cover the face of the painting with wax paper. If the painting is unframed, wrap the entire piece with wax paper before surrounding with bubble wrap or foam. Do not use bubble wrap directly on the front of the painting as it may leave an imprint on the surface.
4. Framing – Encaustic does not need to be protected by glass. A floater frame or simple wooden frame are often attractive options that help protect the edges of the painting from scratches, dents, and chips.
5. Curing – Encaustic paintings may continue to ‘cure’ for a full year after they’re created. This can produce a naturally occurring white haze on the surface called blooming. The haze can be removed by buffing the surface with a lint-free (and seam-free) cloth or pantyhose. NOTE: Not all encaustic paintings should be polished. All of my artwork is delivered with specific instructions.
6. Cleaning – To remove any dust, simply use something like a Swiffer lightly across the surface.

Individual pieces of encaustic can often be heavier than more familiar oil or acrylic paintings. This is mostly because there are often many layers of encaustic medium (beeswax mixed with damar resin). Therefore, you should hang these with care.

• Much of my heavier work already comes with French cleat hangers. These are durable hangers that come in two pieces – one installed on the artwork itself and the other ready for you to attach to your wall. These should be attached to wall studs, if possible, or with something like drywall anchors.
• Smaller pieces can be either placed on a wall, mantle, or easel, depending on its thickness. Be aware that even small pieces can be top- or bottom-heavy depending on how the encaustic is applied.

Yes. Each piece is a unique and authentic creation.

While I typically print all of my own canvas photos, if you want a custom size or finish I can’t produce in my studio, it’s easy to have my external lab print and ship directly to you. I only use one external lab and am comfortable creating color-calibrated files for their process.

The most common item that’s drop shipped are metal prints. Since the lab does these anyway, it’s less expensive and more environmentally sound to have the lab ship directly to the buyer.

Yes! I’ve been a professional executive speechwriter for more than 30 years. I’m a founding member of the Professional Speechwriters Association, a judge for the acclaimed Cicero Awards (annually recognizing the world’s best speechwriting) and director of The Speechwriting School.

In addition, my book “10 Steps to Writing a Vital Speech” is one of the industry standards on speechwriting. I specialize in topical speeches on large social issues such as sustainability, diversity, leadership, and economic and manufacturing policies and trends.

You can see my LinkedIn profile here.