Western Sensibility meets Eastern Technique

BACKGROUND

My art combines western art training with an ancient eastern technique. Like meditation in a fast-paced world, it preserves an art form that is done by hand with skill and patience. Art using resists and dyes has captivated people from many cultures, for many centuries, and I am proud to be part of that tradition.

I discovered the art of batik in the early 70’s through friends returning from Indonesia. I had developed a love of textiles and folk arts during a year of travel in Europe after completing a 4 year diploma in painting and print-making. I recognized that the principles of using wax resist and dyes were similar to those used in print-making techniques. I experimented in my home studio.

My first batik paintings were well received and accepted in galleries. I applied for and received a Canada Council grant to experiment with ways of reproducing them so they would be more affordable. The originals were time-consuming and therefore expensive for many people. Soon I was distributing prints on cloth (using a transfer method) through gallery and gift shops across Canada.

In 1975 I was invited to teach textile design at Kwantlen College and later design and drawing. Until the mid 80’s I enjoyed the combination of teaching and making and selling batiks and reproductions.

In 1984 I pursued another career (United Church minister) from which I retired early in 2003 to return to being an artist. I had the opportunity to travel internationally from 2001-2005, including two memorable trips to Indonesia. There my earlier fascination with the art of batik was rekindled. I began making new batik paintings and was encouraged by jurors in the Federation of Canadian Artists, and others, to specialize in the art form. Now I also produce art cards and limited edition Giclee reproductions.

STATEMENT

There is something satisfying about patiently and meditatively applying the hot, melted, golden beeswax on natural white cotton. After immersing in successive dye baths, seeing the colours develop one over another is a magical process. The fine veining or cracking adds textures which create an antique quality, and my love of design, pattern, colour, shape, texture, composition, drawing and painting combine to make it a rewarding medium. The most exciting phase is seeing the end result after boiling out the wax! Also, I work on a large scale which is not so easy in print-making. I love the way the light brings the batiks to life when they are backlit in a window or a light box.

I have been pleased to be one of many artists internationally who help to keep this ancient art form alive. While in Indonesia I learned that even there it is threatened by modern printing methods. A group of enthusiasts called “friends of batik” work actively in Java to support the art form. In the west, a UK based, international group of accomplished artists maintain the Batik guild (www.batikguild.org.uk), of which I am a member. I have visited the studios of members in my travels. A few galleries internationally exhibit batik paintings and there have been major conferences over the years, the last being in Boston in 2005.

To fully appreciate my batiks, one needs to understand and value the process, which is as beautiful and rewarding as the end results. The act of batik making has connections to other hand made art forms such as tapestry-making, surface design printing, pottery and jewelry making and other time honoured crafts. Whether the end result is considered craft or art is dependent on the quality of the objects created; my intention is to use the eastern art of batik to create unique western works of art. My hope is that they bring pleasure to the viewer.


Selected Exhibitions
2008 “Towards Abstraction” juried group show Ferry Building West Vancouver
2007 Juried Group Exhibition, Chertsey gallery, Ascot (near London) England
2007 Fiber Essence Gallery juried group show, Vancouver
2007 Juried Exhibitions Canadian Fed of artists, Vancouver FCA Gallery, Nanaimo Art Gallery andgallery 223 Nanaimo
2007 group exhibitions Gabriola Island Artworks Gallery
2007 Solo show Artworks gallery, Gabriola Island
2006 Juried shows Canadian Fed. Of Artists, Nanaimo Art Gallery,
2005 Solo show, ArtSpring Gallery, SaItSpring Island
1984 Faculty show, Kwantlen College, Surrey Art Gallery
1981 Juried shows "On the Surface" and "Repeats 8 1 " Toronto, Ont.
1980 Solo show, Malaspina Art Gallery, Nanaimo
1978 Community Arts Council Gallery, Vancouver
1978 Solo show, University of Eastern Washington
1978 Group show in Kent, England
1975 Group show in Wolfsburg Germany,
1974 " Towards Costume" group show, Vancouver Art Gallery

Selected Awards and Recognition
2007 honorable mention for batik "Leaving Gabriola", juried exhibition, Canadian Fed. Of Artists,
Nanaimo Art Gallery
2006 Award of Excellence, batik "Waterfront Walkway" juried exhibition. Canadian Fed. of artists, .
Nanaimo Art Gallery -
1975 Canada Council Explorations grant $3,500 to experiment with methods of
reproducing batik paintings in multiples
Traditional and Modem Batik by Miep Spee, Holland. photo and article

Arts Associations
Active member, Canadian Federation of Artists
UK based Batik Guild
Gabriola Island Arts Council

Education

2007 one week workshop in Acrylic Painting with Brian Simmons, Nanairno
2004 one week batik studies at Winotosastro Batik Factory, Jogjakarta, Indonesia
1990's various courses and workshops integrating spirituality and the visual arts
2 year counselling training program plus 2 year training in Spiritual Direction
1984-1988 Master of Divinity Degree, Vancouver School of Theology
1980-1984 various undergraduate courses community colleges and UBC
1960-1964 diploma Van. School of Art honours dip. Painting and print-making
Studying with Jack Shadbolt, Don Jarvis, Orville Fisher

"Leaving Gabriola"
batik on cotton
26" x 35"
$1200

"Hollyhocks, Gabriola"
batik on cotton
18" x 51"
$1500

"Waterfront Marina"
batik on cotton
Size: 45" x 54"
$1800

"Midnight Boats"
batik on cotton
28" x 44"
$1400

"Forest Floor"
repeat pattern detail of 3 yard piece
batik on cotton
45" x 96"
$1900

"Gyrations in the Greenhouse"
acrylic on canvas
24" x 30"
$800 unframed
$950 framed