EVENTS
WORKSHOPS
Intuitive Encaustic Painting
More Information & Registration
Returning to Dillman’s Art Retreat for the 4th year in 2026
In this unique three-day participatory workshop experience you’ll be introduced to the exciting processes and techniques of encaustic painting (hot wax) painting. The workshop is appropriate for beginners as well as those with more advanced encaustic painting experience. A brief history and description of encaustic painting will be discussed as well as an overview of the basic supplies and tools used in Encaustic painting. Participants will learn a variety of techniques including incising, collage, image transfers, mixing paint, creating texture and working with masks and stencils. There will be ample studio time and one-on-one instruction. You will develop your aesthetic and artistic voice using the ancient medium of encaustic. Participants will create a minimum of four works of art and leave with confidence to continue the exploration of encaustic painting.
Painting with the ancient, luminous medium of encaustic wax offers unlimited creative possibilities. Encaustic medium is a combination of beeswax and damar resin with pigment added to the medium for color. Encaustic painting is a process of applying the heated wax onto a substrate and fusing layers of wax with a heat gun or torch. Review of the history, safety practices, and basic skills of encaustic painting will be covered through conversation and demonstrations with hands-on practice. We will review various encaustic tools and materials, and multiple techniques for achieving lines, texture, and composition when working with encaustic paints. Participants will explore the medium and be encouraged to move beyond the basics into exploration of layering techniques and collage work. We will cover individual creative goals and discuss studio set up for encaustic painting as well.
Spirit of Fire: Encaustic
Concept
In this unique three-day workshop experience, discover the exciting processes and techniques of encaustic painting. Deepen your authentic creative voice through a combination of encaustic techniques; bringing together head and heart.
Experience
Through demonstrations, ample hands-on practice, and individualized instruction, learn the history of encaustic painting, studio safety and setup, and a variety of techniques including incising, collage, mixing paint, creating texture, and working with stencils. Integrate other materials with your encaustic work as the week goes on such as oil sticks, pan pastels, and paper. You are encouraged to cultivate your authentic creative voice before, during, and after the workshop through walks in nature, journaling, stargazing, yoga, and meditation - and in whatever ways you fuel your creative practice. Leave this workshop with confidence in your abilities to continue the exploration of encaustic painting and the joy of cultivating authenticity through creativity.
Skill Level
Designed for beginners, as well as those with more advanced encaustic painting experience.
I’m excited to be leading my encaustic workshop at Door County's artistic and cultural hub. PenArt is a year-round visual arts destination, offering unique experiences for artists and art lovers of all ages and skill levels. From fine art workshops with nationally-recognized artists, to engaging programs for children and teens, compelling exhibitions, and fun, art-centered events, including the Door County Plein Air Festival.
SPIRIT OF FIRE Encaustic Workshop
Spirit of Fire: Cultivating Authenticity Through Creativity
Creativity is an expression of our originality and helps us make meaning in our lives. In the Spirit of Fire workshop we will carve out time to explore encaustic painting and through a combination of learning (head) and doing (heart) cultivate authenticity through our creative practice.
In this unique three-day participatory workshop experience you’ll be introduced to the exciting processes and techniques of encaustic painting (hot wax) painting. The workshop is appropriate for beginners as well as those with more advanced encaustic painting experience. Participants will learn the history of encaustic painting, studio safety and setup, and a variety of techniques including incising, pouring, collage, mixing paint, color theory, creating texture and working with stencils. There will be ample studio time and one-on-one instruction. You will be guided to deepen your authentic creative voice through a combination of encaustic techniques (head) and intuitive art exercises (heart). We will integrate spiritual practices such as walks in nature, journaling, star gazing, yoga, quiet contemplation, and meditation to cultivate authenticity in our creative practice.
Participants will leave with confidence in their abilities to continue the exploration of encaustic painting and the joy of cultivating authenticity through creativity.
Encaustic Workshops at my Studio!
Encaustic Workshops Minneapolis – Painting with Fire & Wax with Kathleen Kvern
Learn encaustic painting and build your creative practice in my intimate studio setting. My teaching approach blends technical skill-building with experimentation, intuition, and cultivating your individual artistic voice. My intention is to offer small-group workshops, designed to support both beginners and experienced artists working with encaustic and mixed media to build confidence and a creative practice.
All workshops take place in my fully equipped studio at the Grain Belt Bottling House in Northeast Minneapolis.
Studio Location
Kathleen Kvern Art – Studio #206
Grain Belt Bottling House
79 13th Ave NE, Studio #206
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Safe, free, and ample street parking available.
Upcoming Encaustic Workshops:
Encaustic Collage
Saturday, January 24
11:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Cost: $220 per person (includes all supplies)
Class Size: Maximum 5 people (2 spots left)
This immersive workshop explores the rich possibilities of combining encaustic painting with collage and imagery. We’ll work with layering, embedding papers and images, surface development, and color relationships to create depth and narrative. The day includes demonstrations, guided exercises, and ample studio time with one-on-one support.
Suitable for beginners with some art experience and those who have taken an encaustic class previously.
All supplies included and a suggested “bring your own” supplies will be provided before class.
Open Studio Encaustic Session
(For artists with prior encaustic experience)
Saturday, February 7
11:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Cost: $170 per person
Class Size: Maximum 5 people (3 spots left)
This session is designed as supported studio time for artists already familiar with encaustic. Kathleen will be available for questions, feedback, and guidance while you focus on your own work.
What’s provided:
Hot plates
Brushes
Encaustic medium
Tools
Limited encaustic paints
What to bring:
Artists are encouraged to bring their own cradled panels and favorite encaustic paints.
Registration & Policies
Full payment is required to reserve your spot.
Space is limited and workshops tend to fill quickly.
Cancellations within 7 days of the workshop are non-refundable; however, you may transfer your registration to a future workshop if space is available.
Spiraling Upwards
Spiraling Upwards is a Solo Exhibition featuring my series of recycled cardboard encaustic sculptural paintings. Through this work I am exploring the transformative power of joy. Inspired by research on positive emotions, I reflect on how even brief moments of joy can create an upward spiral, fostering more happiness and resilience over time. This series embraces movement, texture, and renewal—turning discarded materials into layered, luminous compositions that celebrate optimism and possibility. By working with encaustic, a medium shaped by fire and transformation, I aim to capture the energy of joy as a force that uplifts and sustains us.
Artist Reception Thursday, January 22, 12:00 to 1:00pm
HOLIDAY SPARK!
Join us for Holiday Spark! Art to Wear + Art to Collect — a festive evening celebrating creativity, beauty, and the joy of gathering.
Saturday, December 6, from 5:00–7:00 PM, at my Studio #260 in the Grain Belt Bottling House, 79 13th Avenue NE, Minneapolis, we’re looking forward to an evening of holiday treats, fellowship, and a curated collection of original paintings and handcrafted jewelry — perfect for gifting or for treating yourself.
Artist Dee Lonn and I are bringing our creative passions together to showcase Dee’s sumptuous, heirloom-quality jewelry alongside my newest series of vibrant and layered encaustic paintings. Together, we’re offering art to wear and art to collect inspiring pieces to bring a spark of beauty into your season.
We look forward to seeing you,
Kathleen & DeeExhibition Hours: 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Kathleen Kvern is a fiscal year 2025 recipient of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
Wax on Wednesday: November
Join me on November 19 for Wax on Wednesday—an encaustic workshop designed to help you deepen your practice and stretch your creative muscles.
Wednesday, November 19, 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Whether you're just beginning or have experience with encaustic, the session offers space to learn and build on your work. You’ll receive individualized instruction tailored to your artistic goals and explore new techniques.
$85.00 per person + $20.00 per person supply fee | Space is limited to 5 people
Reserve your spot today and bring your ideas to life, layer by luminous layer.
Registration by emailing kathleenkvern@gmail.com
Spirit of Fire: Cultivating Authenticity Through Creativity
Creativity is an expression of our originality and helps us make meaning in our lives. In the Spirit of Fire workshop we will carve out time to explore encaustic painting and through a combination of learning (head) and doing (heart) cultivate authenticity through our creative practice.
In this unique three-day participatory workshop experience you’ll be introduced to the exciting processes and techniques of encaustic painting (hot wax) painting. The workshop is appropriate for beginners as well as those with more advanced encaustic painting experience. Participants will learn the history of encaustic painting, studio safety and setup, and a variety of techniques including incising, pouring, collage, mixing paint, color theory, creating texture and working with stencils. There will be ample studio time and one-on-one instruction. You will be guided to deepen your authentic creative voice through a combination of encaustic techniques (head) and intuitive art exercises (heart). We will integrate spiritual practices such as walks in nature, journaling, star gazing, yoga, quiet contemplation, and meditation to cultivate authenticity in our creative practice.
Participants will leave with confidence in their abilities to continue the exploration of encaustic painting and the joy of cultivating authenticity through creativity.
Studio Session
2-Day Spring Studio Session
Saturday, May 31 - Noon - 5pm
Sunday, June 1 - Noon - 5pm
Intuitive Encaustic Workshops at my Studio
Join me at my studio in the Grain Belt Bottling House!
Intuitive Encaustic Workshop
It’s official! I am now offering my Intuitive Encaustic Workshops in my new studio in Northeast Minneapolis. Email me at kathleenkvern@gmail.com to join!
$85.00 for the workshop and includes supplies.
Intuitive Encaustic Painting
In this participatory workshop you’ll be introduced to the basics of encaustic painting including safety practices when working with hot wax, encaustic tools and materials, and various techniques for achieving lines and texture.
Intuitive Encaustic Painting
In this unique participatory workshop experience, you’ll be introduced to the exciting processes and techniques of encaustic painting. The workshop is appropriate for beginners as well as those with more advanced encaustic painting experience.
Intuitive Encaustic Workshop
In this unique three-day participatory workshop experience you’ll be introduced to the exciting processes and techniques of encaustic painting (hot wax) painting. The workshop is appropriate for beginners as well as those with more advanced encaustic painting experience.
Hot Wax Sampler - 1 Day Workshop
In this unique one-day participatory workshop experience you’ll be introduced to the exciting processes and techniques of encaustic painting (hot wax) painting. The workshop is appropriate for absolute beginners as well as those with some encaustic painting experience. Participants will create a minimum of two works of art and leave with confidence to continue the exploration of encaustic painting.
Intuitive Encaustic Painting
In this participatory workshop experience you’ll be introduced to the basics of encaustic painting including safety practices when working with hot wax, encaustic tools and materials, and various techniques for achieving lines, texture, layers, collage, and more.
Review of the fundamentals and basic skills of encaustic painting will be covered through conversation and demonstrations with hands-on practice. Through the process of intuitive painting you'll create two works of art during the workshop and leave with confidence to continue the exploration of encaustic painting.
$100 ($65 tuition + $35 materials)
Open to ages 17 and up.
WORKING WITH HOT & COLD WAX: A SAMPLER
Hot & Cold Wax Sampler: Two Days & Two Instructors!
TO REGISTER AND COMPLETE DETAILS CLICK HERE
In this unique two-day participatory workshop experience you’ll be introduced to the exciting processes and techniques of encaustic painting (hot wax) and cold wax painting. The workshop is appropriate for absolute beginners as well as those with some encaustic and/or cold wax painting experience.
Participants will create a minimum of four works of art and leave with confidence to continue the exploration of encaustic painting and cold wax painting. The workshop will be split into two sessions. The morning session from 9am – 12:00pm will be an introduction and exploration of encaustic painting. We’ll take an hour break for lunch. The afternoon session from 1:00 pm – 4pm will be an introduction and exploration of cold wax painting.
Encaustic Class | CAFAC
In this participatory workshop experience you’ll be introduced to the basics of encaustic painting.
Students will learn the basics of encaustic including safety practices when working with hot wax, encaustic tools and materials, and various techniques for achieving lines, texture, layers, collage, and more. Review of the fundamentals and basic skills of encaustic painting will be covered through conversation and demonstrations with hands-on practice. Through the process of intuitive painting you'll create two works of art during the workshop and leave with confidence to continue the exploration of encaustic painting.
$100 ($65 tuition + $35 materials)
Intuitive Encaustic Workshop
In this participatory workshop experience you’ll be introduced to the basics of encaustic painting including safety practices when working with hot wax, encaustic tools and materials, and various techniques for achieving lines, texture, layers, collage, and more. Review of the fundamentals and basic skills of encaustic painting will be covered through conversation and demonstrations with hands-on practice. Through the process of intuitive painting you'll create two works of art during the workshop and leave with confidence to continue the exploration of encaustic painting.
$100 ($65 tuition + $35 materials) Open to ages 17 and up.
Intuitive Encaustic Workshop
In this two-day participatory workshop Saturday, November 12 and Sunday, November 13 from 1pm - 6pm both days you’ll be introduced to the basics of encaustic painting including safety practices when working with hot wax, encaustic tools and materials, and various techniques for achieving lines and texture.