About me

What are encaustics ?
  I grew up as a stranger to my own story; adopted and re-named, grafted into a new family tree. The discovery in adulthood of my Metis heritage was a revelation that set me on a path of discovery. I often work in the powerful tradition of the vessel as metaphor for individuals; we fill and re-fill ourselves throughout life to create our own story. My developing story as an indigenous heritage woman and her quest for harmony with the natural world.  I am a proud member of the Métis Nation of Ontario.  My ancestors are from the Drummond Island community. 
Nature not only inspires my forms but provides the substance of my sculptures. Working in beeswax as a sculptural medium is a concept I have developed based on the tradition of encaustic painting. This special medium is wonderfully pliable and responsive when heated and results in a finished object with a delicate scent and a soft, magical, tactile quality that results in a resilent art piece.
Encaustic is the ancient art form of painting with melted beeswax mixed with Damar resin (tree sap) to make the wax more resilient and pigment for colour.  I have taken this to a new level by using it as a sculptural medium.  The results are lusciously coloured and are heat safe in normal home conditions.  Treat these treasures as you would glass.   
Contact me for available work list.  thequeenbeestudio@gmail.com 
Come and visit me at Dundas Millworks 64 Hatt St Dundas ON
​Contact me at thequeenbeestudio@gmail.com to arrange a visit !
Several of my sculptures have been purchased by the CBS tv series Star Trek Discovery Season 3. 

United Nations Commission

Picture
​I was honoured to have been commissioned by the United Nations to create six sculptures which were used as the Partnership Award for the United Nations Environmental awards celebrating 30 years since the Montreal Protocol was implemented.  This award was presented to five international recipients and one further sculpture will be placed on permanent display at the United Nations Environmental Headquarters in Nairobi in November 2017 in Montreal Canada. 
​(image right)


I am so grateful to both the Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts for their generous support. 
​Thank you !
*all work is copywritten under the Canadian Copyright Act as follows:
     Encaustic purse sculptures #1140028
     Encaustic vessel sculptures #1142346 (functional flower vase)
     The Vessel series. Encaustic sculpture  # 1140345( in the form of thin walled vessels of encaustic wax in various dimensions.)
All photos are the property of artist Tracey-Mae Chambers and/or The Queen Bee ( #240884262)