Batik on the Shore - Part 2
Connecting Traditional Folk Art to Contemporary Chesapeake Themes
Eric Jackson
Led by local artist Eric Jackson. Get your hands immersed in the traditions of wax and dye fiber resist batik technique. Recognized as a UNESCO Heritage of Humanity, the wax resist techniques which originated in Indonesia create an easily distinguishable aesthetic for anyone who has practiced or learned the intricacies of this unique art form.
In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn the basics of batik through exploring the three basic elements of melted wax, natural fibers and vibrant dyes. Participants will have the opportunity to choose between several different batik applications (stamping, painting, drawing) depending on their comfort level to create their own one-of-a-kind hand dyed pieces. Participants will also engage in discussions of how this traditional art form can connect to the heritage and traditions of Southern Maryland, and how they have influenced the process and content of Eric’s paintings.
Participants should be comfortable using a low temperature melted wax (~120°F), and be prepared with comfortable clothes which may likely be permanently stained. No prior experience or drawing experience is necessary. This is a two part workshop.
Eric Jackson ('04, '10 MAT) is a professional artist whose work explores a connection to the water and wildlife of the Chesapeake. A contemporary fiber artist, his work is an intersection of fine art, contemporary craft, and the ecology of the watershed.
His work has received support from the Maryland State Arts Council, Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, and numerous local arts councils including St. Mary's County. He has been a presenter and exhibitor at the National Folk Festival, the American Craft Show, and many prestigious national art fairs, including Coconut Grove and the National Art Fair in Naples. An avid outdoorsperson, Eric continues to explore the Chesapeake from Leonardtown, where he lives with his wife and two girls.