Michelle Belto is a multi-faceted artist and teacher. She holds a BA in Education, teaching certifications in Art and Theater, and an MA in Fine Arts and Consciousness from John F. Kennedy University. Her work as a performer, educator and visual artist spans more than thirty years, three continents and thirteen publications. She divides her time between her two passions: teaching encaustic painting and studio art with an emphasis on hand-made paper and wax. Her encaustic work is included in public and private collections throughout the U.S. Her new book, Wax + Paper, Techniques for Combining Handmade Paper and Encaustic Paint is scheduled for release by North Light Press in the Fall 2012.