Welcome to Precision Studio! by Theresa Somerset
The eggs that are used in this batik method are Quail, Pullet, Pheasant, Chicken, Duck, Turkey, Goose, Emu, Rhea and Ostrich eggs. Most of these are from local sources. The eggs are blown, washed and dried. The design is drawn on with beeswax and a “Kitska” and then dyed with each successive color. The wax is then melted off to reveal the design. Since dyes are not inherently colorfast, the finished egg is given coats of a hard MSA solvent based acrylic gloss varnish with a Ultra-violet inhibitor. It is still advisable to keep them from direct sunlight.
I am self -taught with the help of many publications over the years and examples by other artisans in the field. As my collection of tools and non-traditional dyeing techniques continued to become more refined, the pysanky have become more intense and delicate. I am especially pleased that most of my egg designs have left the traditional realm, and have become art objects unto themselves.
I am currently a member of the International Egg Art Guild, and World Egg Artists Associated among other egg decorating organizations and have recently written for and have been featured in the“Linda Martin Egg Designs- Art of the Eggshell” publication, and have my egg art in the published children's book "The Easter Surprise", written by John and Jennifer Churchman of Moonrise Farm. I am currently represented by three Vermont Galleries and my work is shown all year round. I am the New England Distributor for the Pysanky USA products and am an instructor at the Pysanky USA Retreat in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. I was an attendee at the Pysanky in the Gardens in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and am attending the Ukrainian Eggcessories retreat in Toronto, Canada. I also participate at "The Elegant Egg and More Show" in Akron, and "The Eastern Ohio Egg Show" in Strongsville, and the "Egg Bazaar" at the Ukrainian Museum in Cleveland.
The eggs that are used in this batik method are Quail, Pullet, Pheasant, Chicken, Duck, Turkey, Goose, Emu, Rhea and Ostrich eggs. Most of these are from local sources. The eggs are blown, washed and dried. The design is drawn on with beeswax and a “Kitska” and then dyed with each successive color. The wax is then melted off to reveal the design. Since dyes are not inherently colorfast, the finished egg is given coats of a hard MSA solvent based acrylic gloss varnish with a Ultra-violet inhibitor. It is still advisable to keep them from direct sunlight.
I am self -taught with the help of many publications over the years and examples by other artisans in the field. As my collection of tools and non-traditional dyeing techniques continued to become more refined, the pysanky have become more intense and delicate. I am especially pleased that most of my egg designs have left the traditional realm, and have become art objects unto themselves.
I am currently a member of the International Egg Art Guild, and World Egg Artists Associated among other egg decorating organizations and have recently written for and have been featured in the“Linda Martin Egg Designs- Art of the Eggshell” publication, and have my egg art in the published children's book "The Easter Surprise", written by John and Jennifer Churchman of Moonrise Farm. I am currently represented by three Vermont Galleries and my work is shown all year round. I am the New England Distributor for the Pysanky USA products and am an instructor at the Pysanky USA Retreat in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. I was an attendee at the Pysanky in the Gardens in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and am attending the Ukrainian Eggcessories retreat in Toronto, Canada. I also participate at "The Elegant Egg and More Show" in Akron, and "The Eastern Ohio Egg Show" in Strongsville, and the "Egg Bazaar" at the Ukrainian Museum in Cleveland.
