INTERVIEW: Anne Strout | Ogunquit Art Association (OAA) Showcase Artist

Anne Strout is an Ogunquit Art Association member-artist (Painter) and one of our 6 Showcase Artists at Barn Gallery for the 2023 Season.

Strout’s Showcase at Barn Gallery will run from August 9th – September 9th, 2023 with an Opening Reception on Saturday, August 19th (from 4PM – 7:30PM) and a Gallery Talk (along with Painter, Janet Ledoux) on Thursday, August 17th, at 6 PM.

Learn more about the Barn Gallery 2023 Schedule: barngallery.org/2023-season

featured image above: Anne Strout; Gardening was Her Religion, cold wax, 20”x20”.

Continue reading below for some excerpts from a discussion we had with Anne Strout about her background and work.

What is the theme of the body of work will you be exhibiting in your showcase?

The Title of my show is called Rejuvenation. The theme is portraying things we do to make us happy, as simple as having coffee in the morning, planning a garden, or having an adventure. I love mixed media, and paint in watercolor and acrylics, but generally these days I am painting with wax; hot or cold!

Can you talk a little bit about your process?

Encaustic painting, hot wax,involves a heat gun (or torch), a heated palette, and pigmented wax. You can do this on several different substrates; paper, wood panel, or canvas. I usually use wood panels for my encaustic paintings. You may also embed objects,create texture, and employ mixed media, image transfer, and stencils. Cold wax is a process of mixing “cold wax” which is beeswax (if using Gamblin’s) and damar resin, a substance that looks like lard, with oil paints. When mixed, the paint becomes very thick. It is not put on the canvas with brushes, but palette knives, brayers, or squeegees. I work with thin layers. The substrate may be canvas, wooden panel, or paper. Again, you may embed collage elements, graphite, oil sticks or pastels, or pigmented alcohol to the cold wax painting.”

What other details can you share with us about the work in your OAA Showcase?

Much of my work speaks to the obstacles and adversities we all face in our daily human struggles. The emphasis is on reinvention and optimism. Encaustic and mixed media help me with these narratives, as I employ multiple layers, colors, and often embedded objects to metaphorically address the past, and the hope of the future.

And where can people learn more about you and the work you create?

They can visit my website annestrout.com to see more of my work.

Photos of Work by Anne Strout.