WAXING POETIC: EXPRESSIONS WITH COLD WAX ASSETS
On display at the George W. Bush Presidential Center April 4 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.
Paintings
Images are provided courtesy of President George W. Bush for coverage of Waxing Poetic: Expressions with Cold Wax only. President Bush retains ownership of the images and does not grant permission to use them in perpetuity.
Bald Eagle
2022
Oil / Cold Wax on Paper, 24″ x 18″
Let Freedom Ring
2021
Oil / Cold Wax on Paper, 24″ x 18″
Bernadette
2021
Oil / Cold Wax on Paper, 16″ x 22″
Hummingbird
2022
Oil / Cold Wax on Paper, 16″ x 12″