Artist Spotlight: Andrea Carracedo
Andrea Carracedo was born in Comillas, in the northern coast of Spain, and currently based in Banyoles, Catalonia. Inspired by dramatic landscapes, colors and light, she paints encaustic artworks, often using a highly textured accretion technique. Andrea is a Core Artist Instructor for R&F Handmade Paints and a member of International Encaustic Artists. She has a License in Art History and a Masters in Communication and Art Criticism from University of Girona. She has additional training from attending workshops and courses, in person and online. This year Andrea is hosting the first encaustic retreat in Spain, between Banyoles and Girona, Catalonia.
Please tell us a little about yourself. How did you get your start as an artist?
I’ve always painted for myself; I grew up learning to paint in a traditional European atelier. I continued as a way to be creative outside of my day job in IT, which is quite different. My job and life circumstances became full and I stopped painting for some years. In 2018, I went through a devastating loss. I stopped feeling happy and motivated. I returned to painting, and being in the studio helped me to heal and enjoy life again.
When I discovered encaustic, I started to feel that I wanted to make art professionally. I traveled to the U.S. and visited the R&F Handmade Paints factory in Kingston. When I entered into their workshop studio, I noticed the big sign on top of the shelves brimming with encaustic and Pigment Stick® colors. It said: “Skillfully Made & Creatively Driven Since 1988”. I smiled. That’s the same year I was born. That had to mean something!
I met many wonderful encaustic artists who became close friends, and learned from excellent teachers, such as Dietlind Vander Schaaf during her “Encaustic: Advanced Teaching” program. I spent countless hours practicing in my studio to be able to make the paintings I saw in my mind’s eye.
Image credit: Andrea Carracedo
What's a typical studio day like for you? What keeps you motivated?
I turn on the hot plate, smell the beeswax, and I simply want to exist in the studio. I put on music, lately it’s clawhammer banjo and americana. I look at photos on my phone, or start directly laying down marks and abstraction. I try to jump into flow state, and edit later. I enjoy taking walks - Banyoles is famous for its beautiful lake - and taking pictures of things I want to look at in the studio.
The sculptural nature of encaustic connects me directly to the piece I'm creating, using carving tools, adding and scraping back layers. It’s pretty easy to be motivated since doing the work is a pleasure in itself.
What are you currently working on in the studio? Is there a specific goal that you have for your work?
I’m currently working on small encaustic pieces on a locally handmade paper for a solo show in Banyoles coming up this May. They’re going to be inspired by the lake of Banyoles. In fact, the gallery space is in front of it. The biggest encaustic painting I created has been a 4’ x 2’. My goal is to paint on bigger supports.
Image credit: Andrea Carracedo
Do you have a favorite R&F color?
I love the whole R&F color line, but Cadmium Coral, released in 2024, has been one of my go-to colors. It works beautifully for sunsets.
Please tell us about an upcoming workshop.
In Spain, encaustic is not a well-known medium. I'm currently offering workshops in my studio and at art centers. I recently exhibited at a group show in Banyoles and did an encaustic demo during the opening. It wasn’t planned, but 8 different people decided to try it out. That amazes me - how encaustic can attract even casual viewers.
My next encaustic workshop will be in April, tailored towards beginner artists. This workshop features different ways to achieve accretion and textures.
At the end of this month, I’m doing Pigment Stick® demos for R&F at Hartem in Madrid, one of our major art retailers in Spain.
In October I am hosting the first encaustic retreat in Spain. It's a combination of encaustic workshops taught by four different teachers and the Catalan culture. Twelve participants will connect with encaustic and experience the depth and beauty of Catalonia through its traditions, artists, landscape, and gastronomy.
To learn more about Andrea’s work and classes, visit www.andreaencaustic.com
Andrea will be at Hartem in Madrid, Spain on March 27 to offer two Pigment Stick® Masterclasses. You can learn more and reserve your spot by visiting hartem.com/eventos-madrid.