Paint & Play

with Encaustic


Ever wondered what it's like to

paint with wax?


Register For A Paint & Play Workshop

What Are Your Workshops Preferences?


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Please click the button below to see the scheduling options.


Enjoy a little slideshow!

Encaustic Painting Workshops


Mini encaustic workshops give participants a hands-on introduction to the encaustic process. 

We start with a focus on health and safety followed by a demonstration of basic technique and hands-on studio time.

You have a chance to explore paints and encaustic tools in a safe comfortable work environment.

Techniques presented in the workshops include fusing; brushing; preparing an encaustic ground; texture; layering; inscribing lines; introduction to collage, and glazing with Pigment Sticks. 


Introductory Workshop:

$99.99 per session, plus HST (includes all supplies)


I provide everything you need. This let's you relax and experience something new. I look forward to learning about you and what fires you up!



Here's what to expect:

  • Experiment with Encaustic medium and techniques
  • Be inspired/Access creativity/ Laugh!
  • Overcome fear or procrastination


Above all, bring your Inner Child. This will be a chance to play!


Payment is required at time of registration by Etransfer to [email protected].


Fees are non refundable. If life gets in the way and you're unable to attend that day you may be transfer it to a friend or make it up at a workshop on another date:)

Beyond Basics Workshops: Continue The Journey!


$99.99 per session, plus HST (includes supplies)


Single or Series?


Enjoy a single Beyond Basics workshop or continue the fun with a Series.

In a series of 4 - 6 sessions you can explore more techniques, develop mastery and complete multiple projects!


Payment is required in full at time of registration by etransfer to [email protected].

Fees are non refundable. If life gets in the way and you're unable to attend that day you may be transfer it to a friend or make it up at a workshop on another date:)

What Participants say about the Workshops


Cathy Denning


Maura is a wonderful teacher and her introduction to encaustic painting was a great experience. We had lots of fun and being in her studio and her beautiful home was really inspiring. Maura has a passion and great talent that she shares with patience and detail. She just wants you to have fun in the process! It was a great afternoon!


Janette Stock


I attended Maura's studio tour and was very impressed with her work. Although I don't consider myself very artistic I was curious enough to attend her introductory art class & appreciated the experience. 

I completed a small project & was pleasantly surprised with the outcome - yes, I even show it to my friends.

I would recommend this class, it was fun and Maura is an inspiring teacher!

Joan Long


Maura - thank you for your patience in showing me some of the basics of encaustic painting. Your work is beautiful - you are extremely talented in this art. I am definitely interested in another class where we can create a specific picture of sorts using encaustic painting


More Happy Students

Sylvana Spatz


I enjoyed learning and experiencing the Encaustic technique. Spending time in Maura’s studio space was inspiring and very comfortable. A beautiful setup space to nourish and connect with one’s innate creativity.


Diane Wolf


I am definitely a beginner to art, other than being a scrapbooker. I only signed up because I know and trust Maura, otherwise it would have been too intimidating for me. Now, I can't wait to go back! It was fun, inspiring, it felt safe to experiment, and Maura is an enthusiastic and encouraging teacher as well as being a gifted artist. Highly recommend!  


Karen Pegler


Had a great night learning to paint with Maura and being creative with friends and meeting new friends! Lots of learning in an inspirational setting. Looking forward to learning more!  


Meet the Artist...

Maura Joy Lustig



I have been painting all my life and attended countless art courses and workshops, as well as art shows and coaching retreats in Canada, the USA and abroad. 


I am constantly in awe of the beauty of nature around me. As I observe and report what I see through my paintbrush I share and create for others my sense of the inner beauty of all things and all people.


Time stands still for me during those moments of concentration. When you stop to analyze the elements of something beautiful, you internalize it and it becomes a part of you forever!


I use natural elements, painting on wooden canvases with pure beeswax, resin and pigment. I love the way the wax flows and creates new patterns and images. The translucent quality of the fragrant beeswax and resin allows light to penetrate the layers and radiate outwardly so that the paintings appear to glow and give energy. 

I seek to express the extraordinary in the ordinary in realistic and abstract images, in a way that acts as a metaphor and speaks universally to those who view my art.

Infinity Art Studio

See my Encaustic Paintings:

Summary of Workshops & Pricing:


Introductory:


3 hour Workshop Cost: $99.99 per session, plus HST (Includes all supplies)


Payment is due when registering. Please send Etransfer to [email protected].


I will provide everything you need. This let's you relax and experience something new!

Above all, bring your Inner Child. This will be a chance to play!

I will have watercolour paper and small canvas for you to paint and sketch on, as well encaustic medium and paints,

pastels, pencil crayons, scissors, string.

Tea and Water will be available:) Bring other snacks if you wish.


Optional: Bring textured materials - like string or yarns or other small items. Buttons are fun to incorporate.

Little photos or stickers can be great too!


Fees are non refundable. If life gets in the way and you're unable to attend that day you may be able to

transfer it to a friend or make it up at a workshop on another date:)

Beyond Basics:

Available as a Single Workshops or a Series of 4 - 6 sessions:

$99.99 per session, plus HST (includes supplies)

Payment is due when registering. Please send Etransfer to [email protected]


Enjoy a single Beyond Basics workshop or continue the fun with a Series of of 4 - 6 sessions.

In a series you can explore more techniques, develop mastery and complete multiple projects!



Fees are non refundable. If life gets in the way and you're unable to attend that day you may be able to

transfer it to a friend or make it up at a workshop on another date:)



Learn a bit about the history of

ENCAUSTIC PAINTING

PRE-PICTURES? Roman Portraits from FAYUUM



THE TECHNIQUE used in painting the majority of mummy portraits is called encaustic (Greek for "burnt in").

This term, used by ancient authors, is somewhat misleading, because heat is not absolutely necessary to attain the effects seen in the encaustic panels. Therefore, encaustic has come to mean any painting method in which pigment is mixed with beeswax.


Researchers have found that a great variety of methods were used to achieve the desired effects in the encaustic paintings: hot or cold wax, under-painting with various colors, and a variety of soft or hard tools that were used cold or heated.


To the modern viewer, part of the attraction of encaustic paintings is their similarity to oil painting, since the wax medium could be applied in thick layers showing a great variety of tool marks and free brush strokes. An important characteristic of encaustic mummy portraits is the use of wafer-thin gold leaf.


In some pieces, the entire background is gilded, in others, wreaths and fillets are added, and jewelry and garment decoration is emphasized.