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Lobby Gallery Featured Artist
Featured Artist - Deb Jones
March 18 - May 18
About The Artist
My first career was teaching middle school art at Harrison Junior School. I loved teaching art to teenagers, but I also made sure to have a studio space where I could create my own art whenever I could. In a studio above a bar in Cheviot, I started experimenting with batik on rice paper using wax and watercolor paint. Later, I shared a studio space in a haunted church in Miamitown with a teaching colleague to create batiks on fabric. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I moved my studio to a spare bedroom in our home and connected with the International Batik Guild online. I had the chance to meet many talented batik artists from around the world and learned how to do batik painting, which is applying dye with a brush instead of using tubs of dye.
Now retired, I love being a full time artist, creating batiks in my home studio in Okeana, Ohio. My batiks have been featured in local regional, and national shows, and I also enjoy teaching batik workshops.
Artist Statement
I present my worldview through layers of colors and shapes. I create intricate batik inspired by the beauty and uniqueness I observe. Batik is an art form that demands meticulous planning and strategic thinking to achieve the desired outcomes.
I begin by selecting a scene or object that captures my attention. I take a photo or sketch it quickly to capture the essence of the attraction. Next, I import the image onto my iPad and analyze its formal elements. I identify areas that need further definition or creative changes to amplify the intended message. A color plan is refined.
The finalized image is then drawn onto fabric, and hot wax is applied to areas that will remain white. The lightest color of dye is mixed and applied, allowing it to dry. Next, hot wax is applied to protect the areas of this color that will remain. This process of waxing and dyeing is repeated, typically 20 times or more, to create subtle color variations and shapes that form the image. The shape of the wax as it settles into the fabric can be manipulated using a diverse range of tools from various cultures for application. Finally, the wax is removed to reveal the final, beautifully crafted image.
The moment of letting a new color of dye flow over the previous colors to watch as new colors are created and other colors are protected is magic to me. Some shapes and textures are emerged as planned and others are treasured spontaneity. I’ve been captivated by the batik process as an artistic medium, allowing me to express my interpretation of the world.
On the Web
About The Exhibit
The exhibit will run from March 18th to May 18th. Hours of operation to view the works are Monday - Thursday, 9am-8pm, Friday 9am-6pm and Saturday 9am-3pm. Artwork and prints are available for purchase at this show. A portion of each sale benefits Springfield Township ArtsConnect. For questions, call 522-2108