R&F Handmade Paints

Jim Haskin and Richard Frumess in 1996

January 15, 1988 is an important anniversary here at R&F Handmade Paints.  He had been making encaustic paint since 1982, but that was the day that Richard Frumess, working from a basement in Brooklyn, went to New York Central Art Supply and made his first commercial sale as R&F Encaustics, Inc.

In 22 years there have been many changes, including the name of the company, but R&F still remains dedicated to making the best paint we can.

As the R&F family continues to grow and face the realities of today’s global market, we wanted to take a moment to look back and remember our humble beginnings.  For more on our history click here.

Our 2010 Workshop Schedule is now available.  We are excited to add new workshop locations, including the new Encaustic Art Institute in New Mexico, Penninsula Art School in Fish Creek, Wisconsin, and Seattle.  Our Visting Artist Series was such a hit this past year that we had to do it again - it is so much fun to have these wonderful artists come and spend time with us. The workshops are custom designed by each visiting artist, according to their own unique talents. This years’ line-up of artists includes figure painting with Francisco Benitez, oil stick painting with Charles Forsberg, and encaustic exploration with Cari Hernandez.  We have also added new one-day intensives that will focus on specific techniques.
Click here to view the full schedule.

Give the gift of a fabulous encaustic workshop and save!  R&F is offering a special 10% tuition discount for early registrants. To take advantage of this offer, just give us a call at (845) 331-3112, and say “I want the Early Registration Discount”. Please note that this offer is only good for workshops administered by R&F.  We have extended this discount from now until January 8th, 2010, so you don’t have to worry about signing up before the holiday rush.

Ultramarine Blue Pigment

Ultramarine Blue has a fabled history. It is naturally derived from the semiprecious gemstone lapis lazuli. It gets its name from the Latin, meaning beyond the sea, since the best source of lapis was in the northeastern corner what is now Afghanistan. (more…)

Cynthia Knott, Naiad, oil, encaustic, and metallic on linen, 40"x74", 2005

We are always thrilled when one of our customers gets well-deserved recognition. The latest instance was Cynthia Knott from eastern Long Island who recently received a Pollock-Krasner Foundation Award in October. (more…)

Judy Sigunick, African Wild Dog, monotype

A wonderful exhibit took place this November at the Spencertown Academy Arts Center in Spencertown, NY. The exhibit was a fundraiser for Art for Animals and included works by professional artists and students from the Taconic Hills Middle School. (more…)

Jane Guthridge, Dancing Light 2", 19"x19"

Meininger’s in Denver, Colorado will be hosting an in-store encaustic demonstration on Saturday November 14th, from 1 - 3 pm. (more…)

Michelle Marcuse, Unaware of Daylight, encaustic on masonite, 16"x16"

Dick Blick in Philadelphia, PA will be hosting an encaustic and pigment stick demonstration on Thursday November 12th, 2009 from 4 - 6 pm. (more…)

Tracy Spadafora, Untitled, mixed media encaustic

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Leslie Giuliani "EVOLUTION"

Jerry’s Artarama in CT will host an Encaustic and Pigment Stick demonstration on Saturday October 17th from 1-4pm.  Artist Leslie Giuliani will be on hand to teach you techniques and answer your questions.  Contact Jerry’s Artarama at 1-860-232-0073 for more information.   

About the Artist:  “When people view my work they are surprised by its individuality.  That the work represents a unique voice is very important to me.  The work is intriguing in many different ways: the structure- how it’s shaped and built; the imagery- light hearted and darkly primal simultaneously; texture- use of a variety of materials; the interplay of color; and good design.  This way as people look deeply into the work it changes with each viewing- the piece evolves, never settling into one specific interpretation- a work that invites visit after visit.”

R&F is please to present the work of Kingston artist Hendrik Dijk.  “So Far, So Close” opens Saturday October 3rd.  There will be a reception from 5 to 7 p.m and Hendrik will give an informal artist talk at 5pm. 

Hendrik Dijk’s work is about energy.  He is a colorist who will use form, find and create for the purpose of letting colors have a life of their own.  Dijk thinks that colors are like humans; each one is unique and likes to have good neighbors.  Therefore, even though his work is often chromatically pronounced, he always asks himself if each color harmonizes with neighboring colors.

Born in Oostmahorn, Friesland, Netherlands, Hendrik Dijk moved to the USA in 1983. Since 1986, he has lived in Kingston, NY and teaches art at Kingston High School. He has made six murals for the City of Kingston in city parks. Dijk’s present creative efforts go mainly into painting and photography.  He is a co-founder of the Arts Society of Kingston and the Kingston Biennial Sculpture Show.  Click here to view Hendrik’s website.

The Gallery at R&F is featuring this exhibition of Kingston’s own Dutchman as a way of celebrating the 400-year anniversary of Henry Hudson’s crossing of the Hudson River.  From spring through fall, Ulster County is celebrating Henry Hudson’s 1609 journey up the river that bears his name with dozens of special events.  Click here for complete celebration details.