BATIK CLASSES are on hold for now...
with Open Studios Artist Alexandra Sanders

Westside Santa Cruz Art Studio
637 Columbia Street
BATIK & Silk Painting "Parties" by appointment

TRADITIONAL BATIK CLASSES are starting later than I had planned. Between weather related damage, the passing of my beloved dog, Bella, and the pandemic, I have decided to postpone indefinitely. If this changes, I will make note here. I am keeping the information that I present regarding the classes, as I do believe I will resume as time permits. And if you are interested in private or semi-private classes, there is potential for that. Please message me if you are interested. 

BATIK is an ancient technique used to create beautiful and unique FABRIC using hot wax to create a design and dyes or inks to create the desired colors. In this series of classes, the student will learn a variety of skills that will enable the creation of beautiful fabric. In general, the work created in these classes is suitable as a wall or window hanging, or for framing. The fabric will not be washable and only the silk will be dry-cleanable.

The general theme of all the classes will be MANDALAS. Mandalas are circular designs, generally created with an intention (healing, spiritual growth, mental calm….), and there are many wonderful images from which to choose. I offer some and encourage you to look online as well. That being said, you may also choose a design from the many templates I have available. I email these choices to you and they can be used to trace onto your fabric. Most any design can be modified to be circular.

What to expect.....
Students will learn how to apply the hot wax, using a tool called a tjanting, pronounced janting, (a brass or copper receptacle that literally holds the hot wax and can be used for drawing, outlining, various detailing, etc.).They will learn how the reverse process works and how the hot wax serves as a RESIST to any inks or dyes that are applied. The student will learn how we remove the wax through ironing.Students will learn unique ways of filling spaces with design elements, getting comfortable with our skills with the tjanting tools primarily; we will also do a little brush work.

In each class, we will start by discussing your design for your main piece for that day. If you haven’t already drawn it on, this is the time you will do that. Ideally before class, I would like you to consider your design and how you want the finished piece to look. So consider your colors primarily and designs should be simplified so they can be completed. This will be part of the discussion. We will spend some time on your mini samplers experimenting on techniques suitable for your design. I like you to draw a small section of your main design onto one sampler so that you can practice. Once you are comfortable, you will begin work on your Mandala: drawing on your design, waxing and painting on your dyes. Once dry, the wax can be ironed off and your piece will be finished. (While it is drying, you can work on your other sampler.)

Classes on cotton are $75.00 and classes on silk are $100. (Silk requires different dyes, different fixer and must be run through a solvent to remove the wax.) All initial classes will be cotton. I will announce when I will offer silk classes. I discount multiple classes by $5.00 for each class. I do not give refunds unless I can replace you. You may also transfer to another class with one week’s notice, apply what you have paid to studio time (once you have taken at least 1 class), or you may apply your funds toward merchandise. Returning students with vouchers, may apply part or all of the remaining balance on their voucher towards a particular class. Your voucher will still be good for open studio hours. (To clarify for the newly interested students, I offer an Open Studio Time for students that have taken at least one class from me. The voucher is offered at a very discounted rate-$10/hr or 12 hrs for $100. This is time devoted to their own works, or finishing up, or working on a multi-dipped traditional batik piece. I am here to facilitate and answer questions, but it is not a classroom situation.)

Classes will be for 2-4 students.
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If you’d like to follow me on Instagram or Etsy, just type in Ladywholovesbirds, and my pages will hopefully pop up. My personal page on Facebook is Alexandra.Sanders.773I often show new work, inspirations, videos of batiks in process, etc. And prior to each class, I will send students ideas for inspiration, links to videos, and the like.

Location is at my studio on the Westside of Santa Cruz, at 637 Columbia Street. I am on the corner of Columbia and Monterey and one must come down Monterey and enter my back gate before the barn to access the studio. All very accessible. Contact me with any questions. To reiterate, please sign up for class via email me at [email protected]. I look forward to these classes and meeting some new students and welcoming returning students.

If any of this is unclear, please contact me. I had some trouble putting it all together as I have started it several times over the last few weeks! So there may be some overlap or if something sounds crazy, it probably is!! Lemeno.

Alexi
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A bit about me...I have my BA in Art/Textile Design from San Jose State University, where I was able to study BATIK almost exclusively during my last two years. I went on to perfect my technique and have spent many years as a professional artist, teaching along the way. I am an Open Studios Artist for the Santa Cruz County Art Tour. I am also a professional creator of GREETING CARDS (www.etsy.com/shop/ladywholovesbirds). I have my DESIGNS in a number of stores: The Garden Company, Westside Feed, Homeless Garden Project, For the Birds Veterinary Clinic, Birdwatcher and Chocolate Box (these last three in Los Gatos, San Jose). I love teaching others this really fascinating art form and look forward to meeting you.
The studio will be available for those of you wishing to work on your own projects, perhaps duplicating what you have learned or experimenting on your own. The studio will be open for returning students by appointment. It is also possible to email or text me and say, "Alexi, what about Tuesday from 12-3pm?" and I will see if that will work. Generally it will. The point is, I am very flexible and would love to have any and all of you continue if you so desire. Cost for returning students is either $10/hr or you can purchase a voucher for 12 hours for $100. Voucher hours can be applied to classes.So let's say you want to use $50 of your voucher towards a class, that would be deducted from the cost of the class.

Additional info....

EXPERIENCE: None required

Cost for your class covers instruction, fabric (fine cotton or silk depending on the class, as well as numerous small samplers for practice or mini pieces), beeswax (100%), use of all tools, irons, soldering irons, etc. With a single, 4 hour class, students can expect to create a SIMPLE DESIGN and receive an introductory lesson in the interesting and versatile technique of BATIK or WAX PAINTING. Additional classes are recommended for students who want to explore BATIK and its various methods in depth.

To sign up or for any questions, contact me directly at [email protected]. To hold your spot, payment is expected at the time of signup: Paypal, mail or put in my mailbox. Refunds are given IF I can fill your spot. Otherwise you can apply to another class or to Open Studios time once you have one class under your belt.

HOSTED Classes: These are PARTY Classes. You choose the date, the time (3 hour minimum), for 3-6 students.

My website is www.ladywholovesbirds.com.
My Instagram account is www.Instagram.com/LadyWhoLovesBirds
My Etsy shop is www.etsy.com/shop/ladywholovesbirds.