Encaustic on Panel, Wired cradled panel, 10"x10"x2"

Encaustic painting with translucent layers of soft greens/blues/lavenders depicting a dragonfly and knapweed among pond life.

Artist Bio


Leslie Yolen lives and works in rural Albany County, New York. She has worked predominantly in clay until recently when encaustics became her favored medium. She earned a BFA from Bennington College, a MS in Visual Arts Education from the College of Saint Rose and continues to study with renowned artists in workshop settings. Her career in arts education has provided a broad perspective in how meaning is made from the visual experience, and what that contributes to our shared humanity.

Leslie recently retired from her position as the Arts Education Associate at the New York State Education Department's Office of Curriculum & Instruction where she provided statewide leadership in relation to the implementation of the NYS Learning Standards for the Arts (dance, music, theatre, visual & media arts), supporting arts teachers, administrators and students across the state. Prior to working with NYSED, Leslie taught Visual Art in the public schools. Previously, she held several artist residencies in the schools and operated a successful art studio business while directing a cooperative fine arts and craft gallery. When not in her studio, she spends time in her glorious gardens and is now designing gardens for others to enjoy.

Artist Statement

This painting was made in the hot wax process, normally referred to as encaustic. I work with encaustic paint, which is beeswax and tree resin with pigments, on wood panels using brushes, torches, knives, and scraping tools. I love the sense of the unexpected, the warm fragrance, and the anticipation evoked by moving molten wax. The alternate carving through and building up layers of wax are similar to the additive and subtractive processes of working with clay, which has long been my favored medium. Inspiration often comes just from working with materials and process. For me, it is the thrill of exploring, pushing the materials, and discovery that keeps me returning to the studio.

www.leslieyolen.com