My love of the batik medium endured. I joined The Batik Guild and, in the 1980’s had the chance to exhibit my batik paintings with Milton Keynes Craft Guild which led to me teaching batik classes. A few years later I relocated to beautiful North Yorkshire where my batik paintings were inspired by moors and coast. I exhibited my work at local galleries, ran batik workshops in Whitby (where I had my studio) and further afield for art and textile groups. I exhibited with North Yorks Open Studios and was a regular on the Batik Guild stand at the Harrogate Knitting & Stitching Show. In 2015 I had the opportunity to travel to Java with the Batik Guild, where I learned more about the history of batik as well as new techniques to try.
‘Whitby Swing Bridge’ – batik on cotton – (completed & sold c2011)
Using wax resist and dye is like painting with light. Applying wax with brush or a wax dip pen (tjanting/canting) the wax is painted on in layers with dye washed on between each layer. It is a magical, intriguing process which I find exciting and challenging.
‘Monolith’ Easington Beach – batik on cotton (90 x 70 cm)
‘Coming Into Harbour, Whitby’ – batik on cotton (70 x 50 cm)
‘Cloudy Riverscape’ – batik on cotton
BATIK WORKSHOPS/CLASSES: Sorry but I have now retired from running batik classes and workshops. Batik Guild members who teach batik can be found at http://www.batikguild.org.uk
For more information about everything batik: http://www.batikguild.org.uk
A FRESH APPROACH
Early in 2024, after a few years’ break as a carer, I began a fresh approach to batik. Sometimes a break from creative work can result in a build up of creative energy and kick start a new journey. I enjoyed making the batik below which sprang from my imagination when I read the theme for “Patterns of Change” a batik exhibition in Florida.
‘Rewilding The City’ – batik on cotton (63 x 64 cm 2024) for ‘Patterns of Change’ an exhibition of batiks organized by Naples Botanical Garden, Florida, in partnership with The Batik Guild.exhibition at The Botanical Gardens, Naples, Florid 4 May-30 June 2024 The exhibition invited artists to show (in batik) how climate change had resulted in new patterns/behaviours.
‘The Sea Dog’ – batik on cotton (50 x 36 cm)
The freedom of working from my imagination seems to be spilling over into my landscapes and seascapes!
‘The Fragile Beauty of Eroding Sea Cliffs’ – batik on cotton (45 x 40 cm)
2024 IS THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF BATIK
Heather Gatt 