Jay Burgess

Artist Statement

As an encaustic artist, my practice around wax. I began with abstract works in cold wax and oil, but my passion for encaustics truly ignited after attending Arrowmont School in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Encaustics allow me to move fluidly between representation and abstraction while incorporating multimedia and collage.

As my practice evolves, so does my exploration of materials—ephemera, mark-making tools, original prints, watercolors, and alcohol inks all find their way into the wax. I am unabashedly obsessed with encaustics and the endless possibilities they provide. Inspiration comes from every corner of my life, specifically nature and the ocean but most recently the shifting life cycles of my garden, the rhythm of music, and even the current political climate.
My desire is for viewers to feel immersion, mystery, and excitement. Because encaustic medium offers a luminosity and depth unmatched by other forms, I seek to create works that feel both otherworldly and intriguing—inviting viewers to linger, explore, and discover new layers within both my representational and abstract pieces.