Painting with Fire: Encaustic Art with Kathleen Kvern – Joleen’s Happy Time Craftcast 85

Craftonians! ✨ In Episode 85 of Joleen’s Happy Time Craftcast, Joleen kicks things off with her “Five Happy Things,” from Cricut-made retreat toolkits and vintage paper treasures to an upcycled tote bag project and the completion of her giant bookboard circle art piece. She’s then joined by Minneapolis encaustic painter Kathleen Kvern, who shares how she creates luminous layered artwork using molten wax inspired by Lake Superior landscapes. Together they explore creativity, resilience, and the joy of making. Guest BioKathleen Kvern is a Minneapolis-based encaustic painter whose work explores transformation through molten wax and layered processes. Inspired by the landscapes of northern Minnesota and Lake Superior, her paintings capture the emotional essence of place using texture, translucency, and color. Kathleen exhibits her work regionally, is represented by galleries in Wisconsin, and teaches encaustic workshops and retreats focused on creativity, connection, and personal resilience.Follow KathleenWebsiteInstagramEpisode Chapters with Timestamps[00:00 – 02:09] – Welcome back + why being off last week felt strange[02:10 – 08:59] – Five Happy Things segment begins[9:00 – 10:00] – Introducing guest Kathleen Kvern[10:00 – 20:25] – What is Encaustic Art?[20:26 – 21:20] – Teaching workshops and building creative community[21:21 – 37:59] – Kathleen’s encaustic painting journey[38:00 – 45:59] – Inspiration from Lake Superior and Minnesota landscapes[46:00 – 55:00] – The Happy Ten [55:00 – End] – Retreat Announcements + Thank YouQuotes from the Episode“It makes me ridiculously happy to turn something ordinary into something beautiful.” – Joleen Emery“Sometimes the best creative supplies come from the recycling center.” – Joleen Emery“Working with encaustic feels like painting with fire.” – Kathleen Kvern“Art has this incredible ability to transform not just materials, but the artist too.” – Kathleen Kvern“Creativity is really about staying curious.” – Kathleen Kvern Resources and Links🔥 Encaustic Painting (Molten Wax Technique) – Kathleen Kvern works with heated beeswax and pigment to build luminous, layered paintings that capture atmosphere and landscape. 🛠️ Encaustic Tools & Materials Mentioned – Heated palette, encaustic medium (beeswax + resin), natural bristle brushes, and heat tools used to fuse wax layers together. 📚 Joleen’s Book RecommendationsThe Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick RubinThe Great Work of Your Life by Stephen Cope🎨 Encaustic Workshops & RetreatsLove "Happy Time Craftcast"? 👉Don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts and leave a review to help others discover our crafty community 👉Stay tuned for more Happy Time Craftcast with Joleen Emery. Subscribe now!👉FOLLOW  ME ON TIKTOK | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM 👉SIGN UP FOR THE ART KIT OF THE MONTH CLUB