ConVergence — Wax on the Water

An Intimate Encaustic Retreat by the Bay

There was something joyous and magical about ConVergence - Wax on the Water. When you walked through the patio gate, you entered a safe haven, one where artists gathered to learn, share, and heal. Old friends embraced, friends who met online finally got to meet face-to-face, and artists could meet their heroes in person: Artists like Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch, who, through her workshops and instructional books, introduced many of us to this ancient and versatile medium, and Lora Murphy, who provided us incredible online learning opportunities with some of the best teachers in the world so we could all paint with fire while we were alone in our studios.

We met in Morro Bay, a small coastal community located on the Central Coast of California, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. It is a beautiful place filled with miles of unspoiled beaches, nature trails, and estuaries. Also, there is the worldfamous Morro Rock — an old and ancient place where the Chumash settled thousands of years ago and where the Salinan

Tribe has been climbing to the top of Morro Rock twice a year, each summer and winter solstice for centuries to perform religious ceremonies. Both tribes consider Morro Rock to be a sacred site, and we honored them and the sacred land where we met.

We also immersed ourselves in the local cuisine. At the meet and greet, we enjoyed wine from several of the local wineries and beer from a local brewery. House of Bread catered our breakfasts and lunches, providing a wide variety of local favorites that included gluten free and vegetarian choices. And we celebrated our La Vendéenne Award recipients at Windows on the Water, where we had a 180 degree view of the bay and watched the sun set behind Morro Rock.

As we all gathered together in one space, each of the instructors and presenters shared the secrets of their special alchemy, taught us new techniques and tools, led us through creative and healing exercises, and welcomed us into this inclusive community of wax artists.

Many of the presenters shared free online instructional material. To view the online materials and an inspiring five minute recap video of the retreat, exhibition, and the La Vendéenne Awards dinner, go to www.international-encausticartists.org/Convergence-2022-Retreat-Recap.

Videos of the ConVergence retreat presentations and demonstrations are also available online for attendees and IEA members. To view the videos online, go to www.internationalencaustic-artists.org/Convergence-Retreat-presentations and sign in using your IEA member login.

To become a member of IEA, go to www.international-encausticartists.org/JoinIEA.

You can also view the New Times article Wax and paint converge into art from international artists at Art Center Morro Bay.