ABOVE: Encaustic Tile
Tracey Currington – Encaustic Artist
Tracey Currington has always wanted to explore her creative side, and now that she has more time to devote to her art, she is embracing the freedom and possibilities that come with being an encaustic artist. With no formal art training, Tracey has found her own way of working, guided by intuition, curiosity and a love of experimentation.
Inspired by the beauty of nature, travel, interiors, fabrics and other artists’ work, Tracey enjoys exploring ideas and seeing where the creative process takes her. She has no single preferred subject, tending instead towards abstract work that allows her to experiment with colour, texture and mixed media. For her, one of the greatest joys of creating is the sense of freedom it brings.
Working with Wax
Encaustic painting is a fascinating and hands-on process. Tracey begins with a wooden panel, applying layers of encaustic medium made from beeswax and damar resin. Each layer is fused before the next is added, gradually building depth, colour and texture. Additional materials and mixed media can be incorporated to create interesting surfaces and unexpected effects.
Her favourite tool is her blowtorch, an essential part of the process that fuses the layers of wax together. It is a technique that encourages experimentation, and Tracey particularly enjoys the fact that mistakes are not necessarily mistakes at all. Encaustic work can be reworked, allowing her to revisit an area, make changes and discover new possibilities along the way.
Tracey describes herself as an intuitive painter, happy to follow an idea and see where it leads rather than starting with a fixed outcome in mind. This willingness to experiment is central to her practice and keeps the process fresh and exciting.
Finding Her Creative Voice
Like many artists, Tracey is learning to balance her creative ambitions with the demands of everyday life. She still works part-time, so finding time to paint can be a challenge. Building confidence is also an ongoing journey, but she is learning to trust her instincts and enjoy the process rather than worrying too much about the result.
Being involved with Estuary Arts has played an important role in her creative development. As both a member and an employee, Tracey is surrounded by different forms of art and has the opportunity to meet and connect with other creative people. She also volunteers once a month to help hang the gallery’s new exhibitions, giving her another way to contribute to the local arts community.
Tracey is also a member of the OzNzEncaustic group, an online community where encaustic artists share questions, knowledge and practical solutions to the challenges they encounter in their day-to-day work. Being part of this supportive network helps her continue learning and exploring the possibilities of her chosen medium.
Exhibitions and Opportunities
Tracey has already enjoyed several opportunities to share her work with others. She has held two exhibitions at Mangawhai Art Gallery alongside two fellow artists, participated in the Hibiscus Coast and Bays Art Trail in 2025 and 2026, and exhibited at the Auckland Art Show with Artràdie in 2025.
Looking ahead, Tracey is enthusiastic about the opportunities that lie ahead. Her upcoming opportunities include participation in the Hibiscus and Bays Art Trail 2027, and a solo exhibition at Estuary Arts in 2027 as part of her Merit Award. She has also just tutored her first Encaustic Workshop at Estuary Arts and looks forward to teaching these more regularly as the first one sold out very quickly. These opportunities give her plenty of motivation to keep creating, developing her practice and sharing her work with a wider audience. Her aspirations are simple but meaningful: to continue making art, exhibit more often and receive further recognition for her work.
Life Beyond the Studio
When she is not painting, Tracey enjoys spending time with family, gardening and cooking. Music is also part of her creative world, with Spotify providing the soundtrack. She particularly enjoys letting Spotify find the music she likes, leaving her free to get on with painting. Her approach to art reflects the way she likes to live; curious, open to new ideas and willing to see what happens when she tries something different.
Advice for Aspiring Artists
Tracey’s advice to anyone thinking about pursuing their own creative interests is simple: “Start as early as you can.” Her own journey is a reminder that formal training is not the only way to develop an artistic practice. A willingness to experiment, opportunities to learn from others, and the confidence to keep going can all help an artist find their own voice.
For Tracey, the journey is very much ongoing. With new exhibitions on the horizon, a supportive artistic community around her and plenty of ideas still waiting to be explored, she is looking forward to seeing where her encaustic practice takes her next.
