Caylie Nicholson
Caylie Nicholson
218-988-0192
cayl.nicholson@gmail.com
Follow Caylie on FB or Instagram @Nixco Designs
Caylie lives in Hallock and offers a residency in encaustic art.
Artist Caylie Nicholson explores a wide range of artistic mediums, constantly pushing her creativity and expanding her knowledge. While she experiments with many forms, her current favorite is working with stained glass, where she brings color and light together in meaningful ways. She is drawn to mixed media and combining different techniques to create something entirely unique, as the possibilities are endless. Caylie teaches “encaustics” using various materials, like tissue paper, adhesives, wax, paints, beads, and more — it truly can open a whole new door into your creative world.
Caylie believes that every individual has an artistic voice worth exploring and is committed to creating a supportive environment where students feel safe to grow and take risks. She views art education as a meaningful way to connect with others, foster imagination, and make a lasting impact on students’ lives. She looks for the “aha” moments when a student discovers a new technique, overcomes self-doubt, or takes pride in their work. Caylie has also found art to be incredibly therapeutic and she is certified as a holistic art therapist, focusing on the connection between creativity and emotional well-being. She recognizes that creating art is more than just being creative — it can be a powerful way for people to express thoughts and feelings they may not always have the words to say.
Artist Caylie Nicholson working with students
“Art is not just a subject — it is a lifelong passion and a bridge that connects people, ideas, and cultures. My dedication to both creating and teaching art reflects a genuine desire to inspire others and keep creativity alive in every space I enter. I love the Marc Chagall quote, ‘If I create from the heart, nearly everything works; if from the head, almost nothing.’”
Caylie working on encaustic art
Inspiring Creativity Through Encaustic Art
Objective: To introduce students in Grades 7–12 the fundamentals of encaustic art, a technique that uses heated wax combined with pigment to create layered, textured works. The residency can be modified for younger students.
Time/Duration: 3-5 days for 1 to 1.5 hours
Students will learn proper safety procedures for working with heated materials, understand the historical significance and contemporary applications of encaustic art, and develop foundational skills in layering, fusing, and incorporating mixed media elements.
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to demonstrate safe studio practices, experiment with creative expression through encaustic techniques, and produce an original artwork that reflects their personal ideas and artistic voice. The lesson also aims to encourage problem-solving, exploration, and confidence in working with unconventional materials. The end product will be a 10” x12” layered board with texture made from beads, tissue, and visuals.
Materials required:
Beeswax, paraffin wax, resin
Pigments — dried pigment or pigmented wax wooden board for creating the painting on
Images like magazines, photographs, or other visual images
3D materials, such as beads, buttons, tissue paper, cardstock, etc…
Tools, including paintbrushes, skewers, other items to help create texture, hot plate, skillet, heat gun
Apron, safety glasses, gloves, paper towels
