Batik by Ruth Atchley
The Post Library is pleased to feature
batik work by Ruth Atchley, art teacher at McAuley Regional High School in
Joplin, who earned her art degree from Pittsburg State University.
Her colorful textile creations vary in subject matter, from flowers,
horses, and other nature scenes to abstracts. In traditional batik,
designs are applied with hot wax; after the fabric is dyed, the wax is
removed to reveal the printed design. Atchley updates the ancient
technique by using a flour-water-alum paste instead of wax. She also
embellishes the batiks with raw wool, fabrics, needlework, and beads.
