First commission

Cherry Blossom dream

on silk 33 x 44cm

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We'll call it a Nightingale..

on silk 33 x 44cm

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A good friend asked for 2 batiks to be given as gifts : to a sister, and to a young couple..
the only (very vague) direction given was 'something romantic'

Working on silk has its own charm, and its own challenges - colours are much lighter, I've had to dye over each colour several times to get a coulour deep enough to get the contrasts that I was looking for.  The waxing is however, a lot easier - you need less wax and its easier to get fine lines.  The transperency of the silk is ideal for a double glass framing - allowing for light from behind!

This is my first 'sale' - does that officialise the Artist status?  In some way, it makes me nervous.


(Photos published here with the friend's permission)

monsoon windowpane

on cotton 57 x 39cm
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It feels good to come out of small period of 'no inspiration'

Autumn has comme suddenly to France, in a wave of cold rainy grey days
Sometimes I can spend hours standing at my window staring at at the rain fall..

ipomée

on cotton

40 x 55cm

she grew wings

on cotton
68 x 88cm
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This one made me realise (again) the limitations to the size of batik I can do at home.  And the fact that exhasperation leads to a 'wanting to get this over' mood; and the abandoning of the detailing I had wanted initially.
Until I can move to a big 'proper' studio (no more dyeing on my kitchen counter and sink); I think I'll go back to smaller sizesd batiks.  Who knows, it might end up being the incentive I need to decide to move.

stream

batik on cotton

54 x 73cm

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more of the water fascination
also the first batik I've done with as many layers of colours - around 13.
I'm not sure of the result - again very illustrative...

water lily

batik on cotton

54 x 73cm

my new fascination with water..

sycomore 'helicopters'

batik on cotton

37 x 40cm

reminds me of childhood days and spinning the 'helicopters'

red butterfly

batik on cotton

46 x 46cm

more summer inspiration

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I messed up on the perspective; but really like the texture on the red wings..

blue butterflies

batik on cotton

48 x 117cm

summer inspiration

B-) dreaming

batik on canvas
58 x 82cm

the only planned part of this batik was the eyes.. everything else 'happened'... wax filled brush in hand.
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thicker canvas is strange to work with, it reacts very differently to the wax, has to be dyed on both sides and for longer times...
I've been wanting to do a purple toned batik for a long time