Encaustic Camp at LEVEL Retreat

Weekend Art Camp with Jamie McPhail and Marie Rosettie October 16-18, 2026

Join Us! this fall for an immersive weekend of focused encaustic instruction, hours and hours of painting, communal meals and the comradery that comes with creating in community!  Hosted by Jamie McPhail and Marie Rossettie at LEVEL Retreat, a 16 acre artist residency and retreat space in Chapel Hill, N.C. More than a workshop, Encaustic Camp is inspired by the spirit of summer camp—just for grown-ups.

The ancient art of encaustic involves painting with molten beeswax mixed with damar resin and pigment. The workshops will involve structured studio sessions, demonstrations, technical skill building and experimentation. In this immersive retreat experience participants will share communal meals, engage in creative discussions and develop their work in a supportive environment. 

We are excited to welcome encaustic artists of all experience levels. The weekend is designed to feel like a grown up summer camp, with more beeswax and less rushing around. Set on LEVEL’s 16 acre working farm in Chapel Hill, Encaustic Camp provides a perfect setting to slow down, experiment, and connect with other creative people.

Through a series of structured studio sessions, participants will learn foundational and intermediate encaustic techniques while exploring ways to incorporate the medium into their existing artistic practices. Workshops will encourage experimentation, technical skill-building, and creative risk-taking, providing artists with both practical knowledge and renewed inspiration. Participants will also share meals and conversations, enjoy time outdoors, and become part of a small, supportive, creative community.

You do not need to take Friday off from work. Camp begins Friday evening, with arrivals between 5–7 PM so guests can settle into their accommodations before gathering for dinner and our opening evening together. Saturday will be our full creative day, featuring encaustic workshops, shared meals, time to explore the property, and an evening adventure into Chapel Hill/Carrboro. We'll wrap up Sunday with a final morning workshop, a closing conversation, and plenty of time to transition back into the week ahead.

The total cost for the Encaustic Camp is $750 per participant, all inclusive (art supplies, meals, accommodations). Please register by clicking the link below; we'll confirm your reservation and method for deposit payment soon. Your responses will help us match you with the best camp accommodations, plan meals that meet your dietary needs, and make sure we can create a comfortable and welcoming experience for everyone. Space is limited, and registrations will be accepted on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Schedule at a Glance

Friday, 10/16

• check in between 5-7pm

• Welcome dinner and introductions

• Encaustic inspiration slideshow and discussion

• Optional s’mores by the firepit

Saturday, 10/17

• Breakfast available 8-9am

• Morning encaustic workshop in the barn studio

• Shared lunch and time to explore LEVEL

• Afternoon encaustic workshop with breaks and refreashments

• Dinner at Med Deli and optional Chapel Hill/ Carrboro scavenger hunt

Sunday, 10/18

• Breakfast available 8-9am

• Final encaustic workshop session

• Closing lunch and group reflection

• Optional studio time until 5pm

Made possible with grants from:

July Show at Rebus Works, Raleigh, NC

Join me in Raleigh Friday, July 3, 6-8pm for my art opening at Rebus Works.

January classes

My January classes at the ArtsCenter are at capacity. Stay tuned for dates of upcoming workshops.

R&F Teaching Certificate, Dietlind and Richard! Woodstock School of Art

The first week of November, I was lucky enough to attend an Encaustic teacher training at Woodstock School of Art. It was taught by the fabulous artist, Dietlind Vander Schaaf, of R&F Paints. Dietlind is a generous, thoughtful and wonderful teacher and I have taken one of her encaustic classes at Penland School of Craft in the past. I learned many things that I will carry forward in my own journey as a teacher and mentor. One of the perks of this class was getting to tour the R&F facility in Kingston, NY, and getting to meet Darin Siem and Sean Sullivan and the whole crew of paintmakers. They generously showed us the proccesses involved in their handmade paints, and talked to us about the products themselves. To top it all off, we got to meet and talk with the founder, the rock star, Richard Frumess. I encourage all creatives to keep taking classes, keep learning and stay curious!

Had a great time teaching a short encaustic workshop at Peel Gallery during my show! I love introducing people to the medium of encaustic!

Lots of things happening in August!

It’s my birth month! I’m celebrating with an Art Show at Peel August 6 thru September 7! Stop by the opening during the second Friday Art Walk on August 8. I am unable to be there that evening, so there will also be a closing reception on Sunday, Sept. 7.

As part of my show at Peel, I will be offering a one day intro to encaustic workshop ! It will be in the gallery Sunday August 17 from 11 - 2. You can sign up on the Peel website.

There are a few openings in my regular beginning encaustic classes at the ArtsCenter starting Aug. 28. The class is Thursday nights from 6:15 - 9 pm. The class runs four weeks. Sign up through the Carrboro ArtsCenter!

spring classes!

Art is a balm in troubling times. Creativity helps create community and connection, inspiration and exploration. Join me for an encaustic workshop at the ArtsCenter in Carrboro starting April 24 and running through May 22. Thursdays, 6:15-9pm. The class is limited to 12 students so every participant will have one on one instruction and feedback. You will dive into the encaustic medium, exploring various painting techniques, application, fusing, color mixing, etching, texturing, collage, transfers and embedding. You will have plenty of time to complete several paintings. Sign up through the ArtsCenter’s website: https://app.amilia.com/store/en/theartscenter/shop/activities/5627939

classes

SOLD OUT

Learn the art of encaustic! I will be teaching a class at The ArtsCenter in Carrboro starting in January! This is a 6 session class running Thursday evenings 6:15- 9, 1/9 thru 2/15. Each class runs 2 hours and 45 minutes to give us time to dig in and really get a feel for the techniques I will be teaching. There is no experience needed to take this class, and everyone should leave with completed works! Class is limited to 12 students so that i can offer one on one feedback and help. Please email me for any questions you may have about the class and for more details! Sign up at the ArtsCenter website. https://app.amilia.com/store/en/theartscenter/shop/activities/5627939

encaustic and kuzo rice paper. 24x24

upcoming show!

So happy to be included in this show! →

July 2020 International Encaustic Artists presents “Vignettes in Wax and Words” - their first international juried exhibition in digital magazine format Featuring 40 artists from 10 countries, International Encaustic Artists presents “Vignettes in Wax and Words” – their first virtual exhibition - to a global audience. Juried by well-known encaustic artist, Lora Murphy, the exhibition will premiere on August 1, 2020, on International Encaustic Artists’ website. The exhibition is free and available to the public and can be viewed at https://www.international-encaustic-artists.org/Vignettes-inWax-and-Words. International Encaustic Artists (IEA) is an association of artists who use wax (encaustic, cold wax, or any other wax-based medium) as primary elements in their work. IEA is committed to supporting the growth and advancement of artists at all stages of their careers and providing opportunities and resources within a global community. IEA President, S. Kay Burnett noted: “Last fall when we posted the call for entry for a digital-juried exhibition that would include encaustic and wax artists from around the world, we had no idea how timely it would be. We received a diverse and inspirational selection of entries that reflect this historic time we are living in - a shared voice using art and words that brings our global community together through art.” The exhibition combines a “vignette in wax” – which could be a painting, sculpture, assemblage or installation – with “and words” which could be any evocative description that describes or enhances the art. The 44 works featured here reflect a wide spectrum of styles and techniques in 2D and 3D and illustrates how diverse and seductive wax can be. As Juror Lora Murphy observed: “The standard of work was extremely high, and as I worked my way through the many submissions, I looked very closely at the words that accompanied the paintings and tried to experience the artists’ intent. I also considered the technical aspects of how this difficult medium was used. Looking at the overall design and composition of the artworks, I was truly humbled by the brilliance of many of these works. I spent a long time agonizing over my decisions and second-guessing my choices, but ultimately, I would be thrilled to own any of these works. Truly, your Art is stellar!”

POP UP SHOW AND SALE

Sunday 12/02 from 2-6pm. Located between Local 506 and Mint, Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC.

Please join me for a pop up art show and sale at My Room, Amanda Barr's new project space. I will have varied collections of my work: encaustic paintings, mixed media collages and oil and cold wax, all sizes.http://www.jamiemcphail.com

Photographer, educator & curator Lindsay Metivier will open her studio for the day, showing her photography work and digital lab. She will also have prints for sale. http://www.lindsaymetivier.com

The Concern Newsstand, a publications project run by Orvokki Crosby, will be open. Come take a look at art books, limited edition books by local and not-so-local artists, zines & hard to find magazines. www.theconcernnewsstand.com

Max Huffman, artist, illustrator and cartoonist will be selling comics, prints and stickers. http://maxhuffman.com/

Most of my paintings are out of the studio now, so I took the opportunity to clean a bit and regroup.  It has been years since I have worked in anything other than encaustic, and at times, the limitations of working with hot wax can be frustrating. I thought that the more fluid oil and cold wax would be a fun diversion. The wax is a super creamy texture and mixed with oil paint it feels like you are working with buttercream. Unlike encaustic, you can easily sketch into the surface, you can smear and blend. This was painted applying oil and cold wax with a palette knife, drawing with an oil stick and a pencil, and letter stamps.

instagram:

playing with oil and cold wax    #trysomethingnew#blog

instagram:
Work work work #blog

new show at Crook's Corner for October

a perfect afternoon

our vacation this year took us to visit the beautiful Pacific northwest. the whale watching tour was a highlight. Orcas island was charming. the beaches of the Olympic peninsula were powerful. 

you can practically hear the whispers of the first people. inspiration abounding.

May is for Peonies

like clockwork, the peonies burst into the spring just in time for mother's day, and for a few lovely weeks fragrance the house with decadence.

these are unbearably delicate with just a flush of pink on the outer petals.

the days are inching longer and the slant of the sun is just right.