Linda Lenart McNulty – Encaustic Shakudo

Here is a technique I have developed, called Encaustic Shakudo. It entails every type of Metal Leaf, used together on Encaustic wax, mellowed with a blue-black patina.

Shakudo is a Japanese metals technique historically used in the making of swords for Samurais, which, once the Samurai class became obsolete, showed itself in jewelry. A gold and copper alloy was used to make a black patina, which was then engraved upon to create intricate design work.

As you can imagine, approaching Shakudo with Encaustic wax and Metal leaf is a much simpler approach! Like any great “invention”, Encaustic Shakudo was really just a product of a lot of playtime in my studio. Each of my Encaustic Shrines incorporate this new technique to some extent, and some of my favorites use it the most.

In the Encaustic Shrine above, named, Saint with Tears, the sunlight connects with the different colors of the metal leaf, while the dark pigments offset the sparkling metals with just the right amount of aging. It’s a beautiful Shrine, and within it’s beautiful frame of aged metals, our beautiful heroine, the Encaustic Shakudo Saint, has her back turned to the viewer, so we actually look through her eyes along with her, and into the night sky. Her tears fall like rain. She holds the pain of our pasts for us, so we are free to move on.

I made this piece after my artist sister, Cheri, died of cancer. My heart was broken, but I could move on knowing my little heroine was holding up the sky for me, so to speak. It’s powerful for me. I hope you connect to the piece as well.

– Linda