Waxing Poetic: Expressions with Cold Wax is a new special exhibit at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, featuring approximately 35 new works by President George W. Bush.
The artwork, including cold wax renditions of floral arrangements, bird species, landscapes, and more, will be on display in Freedom Hall at the Bush Center through September 25, 2022. This unique, colorful collection is the fourth exhibition of President Bush’s artwork that the Bush Center has hosted. Cold wax is a material that can be mixed with oil colors to create artwork with unique effects, including luminosity. It’s made from beeswax, resin, and solvent, and it doesn’t require heat to use.
The process starts out by mixing cold wax with oil paints to create a layered original work on paper. Then, President Bush often employs a unique technique to create mirror images using this medium. Once the painting is complete, but before the work dries, he places a clean sheet of paper over the new painting and uses a roller to imprint the top sheet onto the bottom sheet. Once separated, the original bottom sheet is largely left in its original condition while the new top sheet is imprinted with a replica of the original. At times, President Bush may further embellish the works with additional paint.
Admission to view Waxing Poetic: Expressions with Cold Wax is included with the purchase of a ticket to visit the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum’s permanent exhibit on the 43rd President of the United States, which includes steel from the World Trade Center and a full-scale replica of the Oval Office, and special exhibit, Liberty & Laughter: The Lighter Side of the White House.
To visit, please schedule your time here.
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