I first learned the technique of beeswax painting about 10 years ago in Capetown, South Africa, when I was teaching Eurythmy to the aspiring Waldorf teachers at Novalis College. Beni Kleynhans joined the faculty to teach art, and I took an instant liking to him: square choleric build, auburn hair and beard, with a deep, mellow voice that warmed you when he spoke. My dear friend, Beni, was a fine teacher and a talented artist with whom it was my privilege to have worked.

One day, in his studio, I asked, "How'd you do that?"

He began by taping all four borders of a sheet of 50% cotton paper to the wall. Then he placed three items on his table: a box of Stockmar beeswax crayons, a bag of large cotton balls, and a can of citrus thinner, a divine fragrance, like orange blossoms. He rubbed the paper vigorously with the side of the crayon until there was a large area of color, "This is a MARS technique!" he said. Then with a little thinner on a cotton ball, he rubbed the color into the paper, creating a diffused effect. This was repeated with various other colors, each time taking a clean cotton ball, until there were several layers and subtle forms began to appear. It was simple and pure and beautiful. This was the beginning. I was hooked.

Rudolf Steiner gives indications for painting "out of the color," suggesting that the artist experience the moods and qualities of each color, allowing them to express their own unique personalities in relationship to one another, until forms arise from the colors themselves. Entering the realm of feelings, rather than beginning with an idea, can be a very liberating experience for anyone. Many artists choose watercolors, building up the layers or veils gradually until forms appear. I find beeswax painting to be more immediate and extremely satisfying.

Beni told me, "I was inspired to develop beeswax painting with aromatic thinner, after reading a lecture from THE FOUR SEASONS AND THE ARCHANGELS. Steiner, in describing The Saint John's Imagination, speaks of '...using a kind of vaporous substance to create an instantaneous painting...' "