About Kevin Ghiglione

Kevin Ghiglione is inspired by the passing of time.  Man’s presence is suggested with elements of partially revealed structure and communication.  The textural surface explores a mystery of obfuscation and incompletion.  Each artwork becomes an object with an intimate patina of a well-loved tool or space.  The intention is to leave the viewer looking for clues to give meaning to the story buried within.

Kevin Ghiglione’s paintings are abstract with many layers of composition. He works in the ancient encaustic medium and various mixed mediums. He is fundamentally inspired by the mark of mankind through time. His artworks often reflect evidences of wear, vestiges of architecture, and hints of communication through the passage of time. His artwork, a discovery of hidden and excavated elements, suggests a missing part of history when viewed in person.

Kevin has had several successful solo shows at Muse Gallery in Toronto and has participated in various group exhibitions. He is represented in Toronto by Muse Gallery and in Calgary by Gibson Fine Art. His work is in collections across North America and Europe.

A native of Saskatchewan, he attended the Alberta College of Art and Ontario College of Art where he studied print making, experimental media, photography, communication arts and industrial design. His working career has led him into various fields of art related careers. Kevin brings over four decades of artist experiences to his encaustic painting process. Kevin is an encaustic artist based in Toronto.

Selected Exhibitions

• 2021 - Working. Creating. Coaching. 
• 2016 - Show & Tell  - Muse Gallery, Toronto, ON
• 2015 - Featured Artist - Gibson Fine Art, Calgary, AB
• 2015 - Art Gems Charity - Toronto, ON
• 2014 - Stories - Muse Gallery, Toronto, ON
• 2014 - Group Exhibit - Toronto Art Expo Gallery, Toronto, ON
• 2014 - Art Gems Charity - Toronto, ON
• 2013 - Featured Artist - Gibson Fine Art, Calgary, AB
• 2013 - Art Gems Charity - Toronto, ON
• 2012 - Fable - Muse Gallery, Toronto, ON
• 2012 - Group Exhibit - Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, ON
• 2012 - Art Gems Charity - Toronto, ON
• 2011 - Rival Rhythm - Muse Gallery, Toronto, ON
• 2011 - Solo Show - Red Brick Cafe Gallery, Guelph, ON
• 2011 - Art Gems Charity - Toronto, ON
• 2010 - Group Exhibit - Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, ON
• 2010 - Group Exhibit - Art Gallery of Hamilton, ON
• 2010 - Arcs, Areas & Boundaries - Muse Gallery, Toronto, ON

The ancient art of encaustic painting involves the quick application of molten beeswax and damar (tree) resin to a hard painting surface. Oil and powder pigments add colour to the natural translucent wax. The word ‘encaustic’ means ‘created by fire’ or ‘to burn in’. Each layer of opaque and translucent pigmented wax are then fused with a torch or heat gun to ensure a bond to the wax layers underneath. Thick coloured layers create a lush sensuality, while thinner translucent layers create mysterious depths. Ghiglione often claws or scrapes away wax from his encaustic paintings to expose past workings of surfaces and achieve textural and visual depth. The heavily worked painting surface transforms into a low relief sculpture. The encaustic medium can be lightly buffed to bring up a deep lustre.

by K. N. Ghiglione

Encaustic – Literally means “created by fire”. Dating back to the 5th century B.C, encaustic paintings are created by melting together natural beeswax and damar (tree) resin.  Colour is added by powder and oil pigments.  The coloured molten wax medium must be applied quickly. The medium exhibits as thick, lush and sculptural.  A torch or heat source - the fire - then fuses the new wax application to the previous wax layer.  The surface can also be scraped and excavated to reveal the history of past layers. Encaustic is a natural medium and speaks directly to your senses. The surface is exotic to the touch. The aroma of honey and beeswax plays to your sense of smell.

Transporting – Handle the painting only when it is cool to the touch.  Protect the edges and corners.  Flat plastic wrap is the best material to cover the surface.  Do not use bubble wrap.  Do not use any fibrous material such as wool, paper or cardboard to directly cover the surface of the painting.  Handle the painting by the outside frame, the back hanging wire, and the back supports when moving or hanging.  Avoid extreme temperature shock when moving from indoors to outdoors. 

Hanging - Handle the painting only when it is cool to the touch.  The painting can be placed anywhere any living plant, animal or people habituate.  Avoid extremely hot, close or focused heat sources.  Avoid fingers and objects touching the surface of the painting when it is hot.  Once positioned, the painting will be trouble free and withstand normal heat and cold suitable for any living thing.

Lighting – Lighting and placement can result in dramatic viewing results.  The encaustic medium benefits from proper lighting conditions.  Focused lighting will reveal the depth of the layers of the semi-translucent wax.  Indirect natural light from a window often brings out the painting’s quiet sculptural qualities.  Halogen lighting can be used providing the bulb is not in close proximity or contact with the painting’s surface.

Polishing – Beeswax is a natural material, so the painting will ‘breathe’ for some time after it has been created.  Handle the painting only when it is cool to the touch.  A deep lustrous glow can be re-instated to the surface by gently ‘buffing’ or ‘polishing’ the surface by hand.  It is okay to touch the painting!  Use a soft cotton cloth, turning it repeatedly while buffing.  As the painting ages, the painting’s lustre will remain for long periods.

Cleaning – Cleaning can easily be done in the event the painting needs to be cleaned due to dust, splashes and so on.  Handle the painting only when it is cool.  Use only cool water.  If needed use a drop of dish soap.  Rinse the solution with clean, cool water.  Buff as necessary.