A Spark of Art in Aptos

By Jondi Gumz

For the first time since the Covid pandemic emergency, locals will have an opportunity to see art being made in Aptos and take their favorites home.

The dates are Saturday and Sunday, May 6 and 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 503 St. Andrews Drive, off Clubhouse.

This is encaustic art, made by four local artists, each with a different style.

Most people are not familiar with encaustic art even though it’s an ancient art form, using melted beeswax mixed with pigment – pre-dating oil painting.

Artist Terry Dowell, who hosts A Spark of Art, has been making art this way for 12 years.

She saw a demonstration at Lenz artists’ supplies store in Santa Cruz that got her started.

She was inspired to enter Open Studios, and when she was accepted, she created a studio where she could show her work.

The beeswax can be layered to produce compelling images, like one Dowell made of powerful blue ocean waves rolling in.

Dowell got a grant for $43,000 to upgrade her electrical setup — you need heat to melt beeswax — to create a teaching studio.

All of the artists participating in the May show and demonstration enjoy being able to get feedback from fellow artists.

Dawn McGinty, who has come from Boulder Creek for a year and a half, said inspiration can come from anywhere.

Among her recent images: The secretary bird that lives in Africa.

“I just do what I like to do,” she said.

Laura Martin, who retired from the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, has taken watercolor and acrylic painting classes, but she has stayed with encaustic.

“It holds my attention,” she said. “You’re never bored.”

Ann Bitonti, who has made jewelry, saw encaustic art in the Open Studios catalog and was captivated.

“I loved the look of it,” she said. She immediately signed up for Dowell’s workshop.

Ceramics by Nancy Niles also will be in the show.

Bitonti pointed to a box full of 3x5 works of encaustic art, which will be on sale for $10 each. All proceeds from those sales will go to Native Animal Rescue.

Dowell promises “great gift ideas” for Mother’s Day.

So, even if you never heard of encaustic art, it’s worth your while to stop in and check it out. n •••

For more about the workshops, visit https://www.facebook.com/terrydowellart/