Encaustic from the ancient Greek enkausticos, which means "to heat." Encaustic is the name for both the medium, pigmented wax, and the process, involving heat, by which the medium is applied and secured. I incorporate the same materials into my encaustic paintings as are in the mixed media works, alkyd paint, metallic powders, metal leaf and organic materials. The primary difference with the encaustic work is that everything is incased in the encaustic wax during the creation process.