Capturing Nature’s Essence in Wax and Pigment

Leah K Read is a fine artist specializing in encaustic and mixed media, creating richly layered works that explore the delicate beauty of the natural world. Raised in the coastal wilds of Point Reyes after an early start in Chicago, Leah’s deep connection to nature was shaped by childhood adventures and her father’s scientific curiosity.

With a background in graphic design and a lifelong love of art, Leah eventually left behind commercial work to pursue her own creative path. Today, she works from a light-filled backyard studio in Northern California, where beeswax, pigment, and found materials converge in immersive pieces that evoke memory, texture, and wonder.

Leah is an active member of International Encaustic Artists, NorCal Wax, and the Encaustic Art Institute. Her work has been shown in juried exhibitions and is recognized for its emotional resonance and tactile detail—each piece a quiet portrait of the natural world.

Nature's Tapestry: A Fusion of Precision and Freedom

Surrounded by the serene landscapes of rural coastal Marin County, nature has been my constant muse since childhood. The National Seashore, State Parks, and vast wildlife areas that adorn my doorstep have fueled my artistic journey, imprinting the intricate details of the natural world into the fabric of my creations. As a former graphic designer, my affinity for meticulous attention to detail seamlessly informs my artistic process. 

While I find joy in the literal depiction of nature, my artistic heart gravitates towards the gestural, free, and abstract. A pivotal encounter with artist Raimonds Staprans at the San Jose Museum of Art sparked a shift in my perspective. His bold use of color, simple compositions, and seemingly carefree brushstrokes challenged my rigid mindset, urging me to embrace imperfections as integral to the artistic process. 

Simultaneously, my foray into encaustic painting became a lesson in patience and release. Manipulating molten wax with a torch led me to embrace the beauty of imperfections, blurring the line between memories and dreams inspired by nature. Encaustics have opened new realms of expression, fostering flexibility, pushing boundaries, and igniting an abundance of unexplored ideas. 

Each artwork weaves a narrative between the meticulous and the spontaneous, capturing the essence of a world suspended between reality and imagination. In this creative dance, I find myself on a perpetual journey of growth, with an ever-expanding canvas of ideas waiting to be explored.

Exhibitions

Lasting Impressions - IEA Juried Exhibition 2025
Cooperstown Art Association, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown NY 13326
October 3 - 31, 2025

EAI (Encaustic Art Institute) Member Only Exhibition
Museum of Encaustic Art, 18 County Road, 55A, Cerrillos, NM 87010

When in Rome: The Art of Travel Exhibition & Publication
International Encaustic Artists, Online & Print Publication

Pacific Art League 103rd Anniversary Exhibition
Pacific Art League Palo Alto, CA 94301

WaxOn – WaxIn
Museum of Encaustic Art, Cerrillos, NM 87010

Wax and Wildflowers
San Antonio Art League & Museum in partnership
with International Encaustic Artist, San Antonio, TX

Silicon Valley Open Studios
San Jose, CA

Members Only Online Show (MOOS)
Pastel Society of the West Coast, Online

Pastel USA
Pastel Society of the West Coast, Haggin Museum, Stockton, CA

Landscapes, Seascape & Cityscape
Pacific Art League, Palo Alto, CA

Feathers, Fur, and Fins
Pacific Art League, Palo Alto, CA

Publications

When in Rome: The Art of Travel Exhibition & Publication
International Encaustic Artists, February 2025

Wax and Wildflowers Exhibition Catalog
San Antonio Art League & Museum in partnership
with International Encaustic Artist, June 2023

Of Murmurs and Musings
Internal Collaborative Catalog, San Jose Museum of Art, April 2023

Pastel Society of the West Coast Magazine
Spring, 2020, Tulip Blooms

Pastel Society of the West Coast Magazine
Summer 2019, Black Hen

Education

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Art
California State University, Fullerton

Workshops and Professional Development

Mentor
Sandra Jones, San Jose, California

Encaustic Workshops:
Lonnie Zarem, Palo Alto, California
Jaya King, San Jose, California
Alicia Tormey, Online course
Painting with Fire, yearlong online workshop with 26 instructors, including: Kathryn Bevier, Christian Lovisa, Amanda Jolley, Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch, Angela Hansen, Elise Wagner, Erin Keane, Crystal Marie Neubauer, Shary Bartlett, Linda Robertson, Clare O’Neill, Michelle Belto

Pastel Workshops
Terrilynn Dubreuil, Online
Barbara Jaenicke, Bend, Oregon

Collectors

Sebastop, CA
Los Altos, CA
San Jose, CA
Fort Collins, CO
San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico
Palo Alto, CA
Green Valley, AZ
Ashland, OR
Point Reyes Station, CA

Mediums

Encaustic

Encaustic is a captivating wax-based medium made from beeswax, damar resin, and pigment. Heated to a liquid state, it’s applied in layers and fused with a torch, resulting in a luminous, textured surface that’s rich with depth—something few other materials can replicate.

This medium moves between fluidity and solidity, requiring a balance of precision and spontaneity. Working with encaustic means learning to guide its natural flow while embracing its unpredictability—when it all comes together, the effect can be truly magical.

Encaustic is remarkably versatile. It lends itself to both abstract and realistic styles, integrates beautifully with mixed media, and can even take on sculptural form. In my work, I explore its many possibilities through thematic series, continually pushing each idea in new and unexpected directions.

Cyanotype

Cyanotype is one of the earliest photographic processes, discovered in the 19th century. It uses a light-sensitive solution that, when exposed to sunlight and developed in water, produces vivid blue images—hence the term “blueprint.”

This process captures the essence of light and time. Objects or negatives placed on coated paper or fabric block the light, creating ethereal silhouettes and rich tonal contrasts. Each print is unique, shaped by the sun’s intensity, exposure time, and the hand of the artist.

Cyanotype invites experimentation. I use it to explore botanical forms, layered compositions, and mixed media, embracing its blend of science, spontaneity, and beauty.

Pastel

Soft pastel is a pure, vibrant medium made from finely ground pigment and just enough binder to hold it together. With no liquid or brush between the artist and the surface, it offers an immediate, tactile connection—color applied directly by hand.

The result is rich, luminous color with a velvety texture and incredible blending potential. Pastels can capture both delicate detail and expressive gesture, making them perfect for everything from subtle landscapes to bold, abstract compositions.

Soft pastel is both responsive and challenging—it rewards careful layering and confident marks. In my work, I explore its intensity and nuance, building color and mood one stroke at a time.