My exhibition at Brightwell Artists includes recent batiks on a variety of subjects ranging from Oakley Court down the road in Berkshire, to Brighton, France, and as far afield as India, one of my favourite places.
As well as framed work I have many original mounted batiks, table lamps using abstract paper batik, and a large selection of cards.
The exhibition is in Stewart Hall, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, Wallingford, OX10 0RT from Friday 24th May to Monday 27th May 2024.
I have been working in batik for over 40 years. Much of my inspiration comes from beautifully dilapidated buildings like those I search out on my travels in India, and structures like seaside piers which I find closer to home.
The exciting thing about batik for me is that I never have complete control because more often than not the technique takes over and gives my painting that certain something I can’t achieve with paint. It may be the unpredictable spidery lines of the crackling, or the fact that the wax and dye on paper give you a sort of abstract effect – which is perfect for me because I don’t like perfect!
Batik is a resist technique of painting. I paint a pattern of hot wax onto my paper (or fabric) using a special spouted tool, and then paint dye over the surface. The design can be pure pattern, or it can be a complete painting built up from 10 or so layers of wax and dyes.