Working with encaustic wax paint is a magical way to create one-of-a-kind, handmade ornaments and magnets that make lovely gifts for any occasion! Join me in my private studio to create something beautiful for yourself or for your family and friends.

Learn more and register here.

No painting or drawing experience is necessary for this beginning encaustic class. You can collage with wax instead of glue to incorporate thin papers, fabric, and beads and even add pastels once you get used to working with the wax.

We will use techniques involving collage, painting, and layering using wax in an assortment of vivid colors. Don't worry if you haven't tried anything like this before, the medium is very forgiving.

>> Learn more and REGISTER HERE

Photographers seem especially drawn to working with wax because of the variety of ways their images can be reborn in a new medium. Working with encaustic expands the traditional methods of hand coloring photographs, also allowing you to easily add texture.

>> Learn more and REGISTER HERE

I’m thrilled to host Lora Murphy as our guest teacher for this class, joining us from Ireland!

Ravens were the favorite bird of the god Lludd, the Celtic god of artists and artisans who had two ravens in his company at all times.

They are intelligent and playful and feature in so many Celtic myths and stories. This is you chance to paint your own studio companion!

I’m thrilled to host Lora Murphy as our guest teacher for this class, joining us from Ireland!

Many people would like to try portraiture in encaustic but are unsure of where to start. This Workshop will take the mystery out of it, but not the magic! Her step-by-step instruction will show you how to approach a portrait or figure, from the initial drawing to the final highlight.

FREE Artist Talk about our travels on Saturday, Feb 24 from 2pm - 3pm
LK Gallery, 3535 North Vancouver Avenue, Portland, OR, 97227

In support of their January/February show called Winter Light, featured artists Linda Robertson and Kimberly Kent offer a talk about how and why they create while traveling. They’ll share images and stories from their their painting trips to Ireland, France, and Hawaii. Whether you're creating overseas or in your own back yard, art adventure awaits!

Join me for a free talk to share photos, videos, and stories from my two trips to Ireland last year.

My talk will be followed by an informal Q&A for those who are interested in joining me for my epic 8-day Embracing Magic art retreat in Ireland this June.

This year will be my fourth trip to Ireland, and our hosts at Mulranny Arts make it really easy. Your lodging, studio instruction, and insightful tours with a local guide are all included during the retreat, along with most meals and more new friends than you’ll know what to do with!

Celebrate with me as we begin the new year with hope and peace. I’ll be sharing art that inspires you to take a moment for yourself, make space for others, and remember that darkness never lasts.

RESCHEDULED: Join me for coffee and conversation on Thursday January 25, from 1 - 3 pm.

A group exhibit featuring 12 Portland artists who shared their work here in 2023. Please join us for an evening of amazing art and fellowship.

Salon Style Discussions by Dan Pillars on Creating Art Communities
Wednesday, January 24, 2024 6 - 8 pm

Join me for a FREE virtual class in creating Lively Lines, where I’ll share some of my favorite encaustic line techniques using tools you are likely to already have in your studio. Start the year off right with some new inspiration!

Visit my Lively Lines page to join in the fun.

I’m excited to be back for another show at Arrowood!

>> Join me for my artist talk on Wednesday, December 20 from 6 pm - 8 pm for great food, a great happy hour, and to support a great art community. Our discussion will be about taking unintended paths toward creativity in our lives, with examples from my own circuitous path.

Click the image for more details. I hope to see you there!

It's (close to) my birthday, but you get the present: I'm having a big Studio Sale & Treasure Hunt! I need more room to paint, so I'll have many large and small paintings priced to move. I'll even encourage you to make an offer if you have a favorite that you can't quite afford. There will also be framed prints, note cards, and some great deals on paint and art supplies!

Please RSVP here if you are planning to join us.

In this class we'll use shellac mixtures to paint onto warm wax then super heat until it cracks, leaving an elegant organic finish that would be impossible to paint by hand. It's gorgeous! I have mixtures in a variety of colors and will show you several easy ways to make your own custom colors at home.

Sign up to paint with us here!

Join me to create multiple panels of paper and wax that are thin enough for natural light to penetrate, filling your space with energy and movement. In using paper we'll trade some durability for dynamism, but wait until you see the result! If you keep them indoors they will last for many years, but you can still decorate your garden with them on special occasions.

Come join us!

There are several ways to add texture to your encaustic paintings, so we'll explore some of them in this class. We’ll also incorporate pigment sticks with this texture, adding depth to your encaustic paintings not possible with wax alone.

Learn more and register here!

This is it! My final Irish Pub night in the countdown to my trip in May, when I'm leading an 8-day art retreat in Ireland.

RSVP to join the celebration!

Feeling spontaneous? A couple of spots have just opened up for the trip! See what we'll be up to in Ireland.

Hand coloring is a fun way to revitalize vintage photos or make new ones look older. The look you achieve depends on your color choices so you can make your images look very contemporary too. For this technique we'll use pigment sticks and pastels to add color to your black and white photographs that have been encased in wax. The best part? If you don't like the color you can easily remove it until the end when we set it with heat!

Learn more and register here!

A fellow artist once told me that any mark is better than no mark, and that advice has served me well. You can use mark making techniques to avoid that dreaded blank canvas as you begin new work or to add gestural marks at any point in your creative process to add more spontaneity and life to your work.

Learn more and register here!