BY EJM
Batik is a art medium originating centuries ago in Southeast Asia. You can find Museum quality masterpieces in Bali and all over Java. Batik quickly became globally represented but still tends to be most popular in warm, tropical regions. Wax melts much easier in warm weather & cooperates when applying to fabric. I'm drawing with a combination of paraffin/beeswax using the original tjant
ing tools. Everything starts out white on natural fabric, after drawing the design with wax I apply color using dye. The design is then waxed over and can be submerged in dye once or numerous times. After being dyed everything needs to be washed and dry-cleaned--the dry-cleaning process removes the wax. One more wash is necessary to remove any excess dye. Each step is time consuming--this medium isn't fast and cutting corners isn't acceptable to me. Batik is a labor of love, each one has hours of time involved. I'm only as good as my last batik...
