Well hey there, Craftonians! ✨
If you’ve been hanging out with me here on the Happy Time Craftcast, you know we don’t just chat about paint, paper, or the occasional glue gun adventure (though, yes — I will always say yes to sparkle). We talk about creativity, curiosity, and what it means to build a life that’s full of making, experimenting, and finding joy in unexpected places.
And this week’s guest — the wonderfully creative and deeply thoughtful Kathleen Kvern — brought such an inspiring energy into our conversation. Before we even welcomed Kathleen onto the show, I was sharing my usual “Five Happy Things” (because you know that’s how we start around here). From Cricut-crafted needle boxes for retreat toolkits to vintage paper treasures found at the recycling center and finishing a giant bookboard circle art piece months in the making — it was one of those weeks where creativity felt like it was bubbling up everywhere.
Then Kathleen joined us from her beautiful studio in Northeast Minneapolis, and suddenly we were talking about something truly magical: encaustic painting — painting with molten wax.
The vibe? Curious. Creative. Joyful.
The perfect energy for a conversation about experimentation, resilience, and the beauty of working with materials that have a mind of their own.
Getting to Know Kathleen
Kathleen Kvern is a Minneapolis-based encaustic painter, which means she works with heated beeswax mixed with pigment to create luminous, layered works of art. Her paintings are deeply inspired by the landscapes of Lake Superior and northern Minnesota, and when you see her work, you can almost feel the wind off the water and the quiet stillness of those northern spaces.
But what really struck me during our conversation is how encaustic painting invites artists to embrace unpredictability. The wax is heated, layered, fused with flame, and moved around the surface — meaning every piece has a little bit of mystery in it.
Kathleen talked about how this process has taught her to stay curious and open, letting the materials guide part of the journey.
One of my favorite moments was when she described the process as “painting with fire.” How cool is that? There’s something both powerful and poetic about working with such elemental materials — wax, heat, pigment, and time.
What I Learned from Kathleen
Talking with Kathleen reminded me of something I think about a lot in my own studio — that creativity often happens when we allow ourselves to experiment without needing everything to be perfect.
Encaustic painting requires layering, patience, and a willingness to adapt. Wax can melt, shift, and transform in ways you didn’t expect. And honestly, that feels like a beautiful metaphor for the creative process itself.
Kathleen also shared how much inspiration she finds in the natural world, particularly the colors and textures of Lake Superior’s shoreline. Her work isn’t about recreating a literal landscape — it’s about capturing the feeling of being there.
I loved when she talked about how the layers of wax hold memory and depth. It reminded me that so much of art is about building layers — of material, of experience, and of meaning.
By the end of our conversation, I felt inspired to keep experimenting in my own work — to try new materials, stay curious, and keep letting creativity surprise me.
Why You’ll Love This Episode
If you’ve ever been curious about encaustic painting…
If you love hearing how artists discover their creative voice…
Or if you simply enjoy conversations about the messy, magical process of making art…
This episode is going to make you smile.
Kathleen’s story is a beautiful reminder that creativity is a lifelong journey. It’s about exploration, curiosity, and sometimes letting the materials lead the way.
So pour yourself a cup of tea, settle into your favorite creative space, and join us for a conversation that’s full of warmth, inspiration, and a little bit of artistic fire.
Until next time, Craftonians — keep experimenting, keep creating, and keep crafting happy. 💛
With love and laughter,
Joleen
PS: 🎥 Watch the full episode below:
Guest Bio
Kathleen Kvern is a Minneapolis-based encaustic painter whose work explores transformation through molten wax and layered processes. Inspired by the landscapes of northern Minnesota and Lake Superior, her paintings capture the emotional essence of place using texture, translucency, and color. Kathleen exhibits her work regionally, is represented by galleries in Wisconsin, and teaches encaustic workshops and retreats focused on creativity, connection, and personal resilience.
Follow Kathleen
Episode Chapters with Timestamps
[00:00 – 02:09] – Welcome back + why being off last week felt strange
[02:10 – 08:59] – Five Happy Things segment begins
[9:00 – 10:00] – Introducing guest Kathleen Kvern
[10:00 – 20:25] – What is Encaustic Art?
[20:26 – 21:20] – Teaching workshops and building creative community
[21:21 – 37:59] – Kathleen’s encaustic painting journey
[38:00 – 45:59] – Inspiration from Lake Superior and Minnesota landscapes
[46:00 – 55:00] – The Happy Ten
[55:00 – End] – Retreat Announcements + Thank You
Quotes from the Episode
“It makes me ridiculously happy to turn something ordinary into something beautiful.” – Joleen Emery
“Sometimes the best creative supplies come from the recycling center.” – Joleen Emery
“Working with encaustic feels like painting with fire.” – Kathleen Kvern
“Art has this incredible ability to transform not just materials, but the artist too.” – Kathleen Kvern
“Creativity is really about staying curious.” – Kathleen Kvern
Resources and Links
🔥 Encaustic Painting (Molten Wax Technique) – Kathleen Kvern works with heated beeswax and pigment to build luminous, layered paintings that capture atmosphere and landscape.
🛠️ Encaustic Tools & Materials Mentioned – Heated palette, encaustic medium (beeswax + resin), natural bristle brushes, and heat tools used to fuse wax layers together.
📚 Joleen’s Book Recommendations
The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
The Great Work of Your Life by Stephen Cope
🎨 Encaustic Workshops & Retreats
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