I usually try to try to create at least one personal project a year for submission to art exhibits and galleries. This time, I wanted to create something with a 3-D effect.

I had flirted with the idea of encaustic wax for a while. Encaustic wax is not your everyday candle wax. In art, it’s mixed with tree sap to make it harder and more durable. It makes logical sense. After all, no one wants to hang a wax-coated portrait in a room with constant sunlight and have it be a sticky mess. Using encaustic wax prevents this.

Once I came up with my concept, I had to determine how I was going to make this work. Massage oil candles actually don’t harden fast enough, and regular candle wax is far too hot for human skin. Enter bondage candles: hotter than massage candles and cooler than regular candles.

Once I created the photographs, I had to come up with a way to make the wax jump out and look like real wax. I won’t give away all my secrets here but it’s not all encaustic wax here.

Originally, I used a professional model for this project but I’ve had such a positive response from fans and clients and have been asked to add this to my product offering. Initially, I was hesitant to do so, because of the risk of skin burns. I have decided to include these for clients with a signed damage liability waiver. If you’re interested in creating art like this for yourself, or your home, drop me a line and we’ll set something up.