Arden Batik

A new and rather different piece, completed last week and now in the hallway - "Sunlight on Kennebec Lake." It's in a 9 1 /2 x 20 recycled frame - $200.

Sunflowers in the gardens are inspiring me. Here are sunflower batiks in progress in 3 different sizes; they should be done sometime next week.

A new and rather different piece, completed last week and now in the hallway - "Sunlight on Kennebec Lake." It's in a 9 1 /2 x 20 recycled frame - $200.

Sunflowers in the gardens are inspiring me. Here are sunflower batiks in progress in 3 different sizes; they should be done sometime next week.

Arden and Area - Local Christmas Shopping by Appointment (tel. 613-335-2073) original batiks on cards - assorted sizes, $4 to$15 - cards with reproductions of batik art, $6 each, 5 for $25 Plus a variety of art and gift items.

The batik of monarchs and black-eyed susans, to which I gave the title "Summer Courtship," has been finished and sold. Here it is, during its brief appearance on my studio wall....

Last two steps before framing.... ironing wax off the front and back of the fabric, and then washing it in varsol to remove the wax between the fibers - fortunately had a sunny day to dry it - I tried hanging a large varsoled piece indoors once, and we all had to leave the house and go out to eat until the fumes dissipated.

Next two steps - yesterday I drew (with wax) more leaves and grass, then added more blue to give me a good "distance green" for outlining the butterflies where they connect with the meadow. I also dropped some purple dye on the black- eyed susan centres for highlights to give them more contour. Today, I waxed the distant vegetation and the highlights and put on a dark green dye. Nearing the end of the wax- and- dye part of the process.

After a break for Sunday and a family visit, here's the next step in my Monarchs project. I have waxed the sky, and some light green grass, then brushed on some blues to make a darker green for the black-eyed susan leaves.

Today's work on the Monarchs batik - brush yellow dye on the lower half of the piece, then diluted sky blue dye on the whole picture, then a light brush of cobalt blue at the top. Let colours blend, then wipe off excess dye. Set upright to dry.

Today's work on the new "Monarchs" batik involved waxing, bleaching, rinsing, and hanging to dry - (In the studio - it has rained on and off all day.)

It's been a pleasant long weekend so far - sun and rain and visitors to my shop. I'm starting a new mid sized batik of monarchs and summer flowers - here are the first two stages....

I've had some good creative time in the studio this month. Here is my most recently finished batik, stretched and hung in my gallery - "Big Clear Lake from the Birches, 1980's". A tribute to summer on the lake.....

I am busy both in my garden and in my studio. Here are three new summer mini batiks - 4x6" mounted on a 5x7" card. $15 each. No tax, but $2.50 added if you want to have one mailed to you. Message me if you are interested - first come, first served - they are all drawn by hand, amd each one is unique.

I have had lots of butterflies in my garden this week - here's a giant swallowtail which may inspire a batik....

With the increasing restrictions because of the pandemic, Arden Batik is officially not open on location. Cards can be easily ordered by telephone (613-335-2073) or through the website, www.ardenbatik.com, and if you are in need of a special order or some art to cheer you up, please contact me and we can make an arrangement for online viewing and for delivery or pick-up.

Self isolation continues to be artistically productive -- have one new piece ready to put on a stretcher frame - Birch Trees and Yellow Lady's Slippers - I was trying to catch some of the many different colours of young spring foliage.

This time of social isolation is actually quite freeing for me as an artist - got two new batiks started yesterday. My gallery is only open by chance or appointment in the winter, anyway - this month only by appointment - but name cards can be ordered by e- mail, phone, or facebook messenger - contact info at www.ardenbatik.com. The photo below is a detail from an 11x14 batik finished two weeks ago, of a bumblebee on asters.

Spring is on the way, and packages are arriving of new items that I ordered at the Toronto Gift Show this winter. I am open for the next three months by chance or appointment, and there are new batiks to see, as well as work from around the world. Below are some new pieces from Kitras Glass in Fergus, Ontario ($25 - $45) and some long scarves from India (100% cotton or 100% rayon) - a springtime bargain at $8 each. See you in Arden!

Wishing all my friends and customers a very blessed and joyful Christmas/Hanukkah/Solstice, etc. Below is the annual Christmas batik, which was my donation to the Sharbot Lake Festival of Trees; the piece is entitled "We'll All Be Home for Christmas." (Cards from this piece are now available at Cornerstone and the Riverguild, or directly from me). The second picture is one that I created for my December display at Cornerstone in Kingston, entitled "Winter Solstice." The cold days and early snow storms have been an inspiration for a whole new series of wintry batiks.

This month I am honoured to be the Feature Artist at Cornerstone (255 Ontario St., Kingston). The theme of the show is "Trees," with a title batik of the Tree of Life. For the show, I completed several new winter scenes celebrating trees - the largest is a third version of a pair of birch trees that I have done in summer and in fall -- now winter. Notice that I am experimenting with framing by stretching the fabric around a wood frame, without glass, to emphasize the effect of working on different kinds of cloth. If you are in Kingston, do stop in at Cornerstone and see the display. Also -- my work is still available in Arden at 1037 Bridge Street, and I have a selection of gift items including calendars, mugs, cards, games, and small batik artworks. Open by appointment - tel. 613-335-2073.

This past weekend, I enjoyed a workshop in acrylic painting, organized by the Rideau Lakes Artists' Association. The instructor was fellow RLAA member Barbara Sohn, and she gave good instruction in under-painting and composition and helpful hints as we worked on our acrylic landscapes. I completed a small painting of the road through Rainbow Valley, from a photo taken on my Thanksgiving trip to Thornbury on Georgian Bay. (see below Barb Sohn and my painting). I am fascina...ted by roads, but have found them difficult to capture in batik. Barb commented that the painting was looking more batik-like by the time I finished it.... My next project is preparation for being the December Featured Artist at Cornerstone Gallery and Fine Craft store in Kingston. I foresee lots of new winter themed pieces. I will also be creating my annual Christmas card batik for the Festival of Trees in Sharbot Lake; I guess it will be a busy November. See more

Summer is over; I did a lot of batiking, but the larger pieces were orders, and have gone to new homes. Today, though, I framed and hung a piece that I made just because i wanted to -- a view of a section of Bon Echo Rock in autumn, from a photo I took there a few years ago. (See below.) It's an image that has intrigued me for quite a while, and I am happy with the results of my labours. I am now on fall and winter hours here in Arden -- Open by Chance or Appointment. I do plan to be at home most of this winter, and now I will be able to conveniently work and entertain studio visitors all year round -- so come and see -- but call ahead (613-335-2073).

Had a good Labour Day Weekend. My studio and shop will be open by chance or appointment from now until June of 2020. I expect to be in Arden most of that time, so do feel free to drop by or call or e-mail to arrange a time to visit. Sarah

Happily at work on the holiday weekend - next step on one large commission and 2 small flower cards.