November 1st - November 29th, 2019

The Strand Center for the Arts was excited to host an exhibition of watercolor batiks by the Aquarelle Artists, in the Main Gallery.

 Watercolor batiks are a special kind of artwork. Anne Bailey, one of the exhibiting Aquarelle Artists, states: “They begin with a simple line drawing in indelible ink on rice paper. Then the artist layers wax and paint to highlight or darken areas of the piece. Each application of the wax and paint dries before more is added. Once the piece is completely painted and waxed, the paper is balled up to crack the wax, and a final layer of paint is applied to the entire sheet. Sometimes this end process is repeated. At this point, the batik looks like an awful mess! After the paper is flattened out, the wax is lifted repeatedly with sheets of newsprint and a hot iron. As the light and dark areas emerge from beneath the waxed surface, the image is revealed, and the final surface splatter along the cracked wax is always unpredictable, adding spontaneity to the work. The batiks on display in this exhibit are done with rice paper and watercolor paints. Simple designs and motifs like flowers, birds, or other elements of nature are the most effective, as the pigments take on a life of their own when they are applied to rice paper.”

 The watercolor batiks in this exhibit were created by the Aquarelle Artists who have been meeting and working Wednesday mornings for the past 5 years in a studio in the Arts Center. The artists bring their materials, working independently on subject matter of their own choice. They explore innovative ways to use watercolor, and gently critique each other’s work, but there is no instruction. The group numbers about 9 regular members, including Donna Austin, Anne Bailey, Marilyn Kretser, Paula Calkins LaCombe, Caroline Lindburg, Carol Lowery, Jessica Mieszkowski, and Michelle Whitfield, and newcomers are welcome at any time. They have found that working together in the studio fosters creativity, and, particularly with the works in watercolor batik, the end results are often a pleasant surprise to the artists.