Bettina Egli Sennhauser
About Bettina
I am a visual artist and educator deeply committed to developing an abstract vocabulary through the exploration of natural materials and a process-oriented approach. Since 2016, I have focused on the contemporary reinterpretation of ancient techniques, including encaustic, fresco, and cold wax painting.
As a Core Instructor with R&F Handmade Paints, I have shared my expertise in these techniques through workshops at leading art academies across Switzerland, Germany, Austria, the USA, and Ireland. I have also been a speaker at the International Encaustic Conference in Provincetown, USA, and presented at the IEA International Encaustic Conference in Ireland in 2023.
My first workbook, IdeenFänger zum Kaltwachs 1x1, published in German, offers a comprehensive guide to the cold wax technique. In addition to my in-person teaching, I have created various online workshops, providing accessible learning experiences for artists interested in exploring the diverse applications of wax painting.
My work has been exhibited in Switzerland, Italy, and the USA, and I am proud to be represented by Gallery Soderbergh in Wellfleet, MA. I am an active member of the 120-year-old professional Association of Female Visual Artists in Switzerland (SGBK) and the International Encaustic Artists (IEA).
I live and work in Switzerland, near Basel, where I also run my teaching studio, kunstfreiraum.
You can view Bettina’s work at:
Class Details
LINESCAPES Part One & Two
"Linescapes" is all about using lines as a form of storytelling—without words, yet full of meaning. Whether drawn to expressive movement or quiet detail, this workshop will help to develop our own artistic language and bring new energy into our encaustic work.
Lines are more than just marks on a surface - they create energy, define space, and bring emotion into our work. But working with lines in encaustic comes with its own set of challenges. The fluid nature of molten wax demands both control and spontaneity, making it an exciting but unpredictable medium to explore.
In this workshop, we’ll dive into different ways of working with line - from bold, gestural strokes to delicate, structured forms. We’ll also experiment with asemic writing, a freeform, abstract way of mark-making that feels like a personal script without fixed meaning. Through layering, scraping, and carving, we’ll push the boundaries of texture and depth, shaping lines that feel dynamic and alive.
