>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

‘WINTER’S CHILL’: Watercolor by La Grande artist Jan Clark

However, at this Third Thursday’s Art Walk at the Mitre’s Touch Gallery, the La Grande artist will unveil displays of her latest work in batik (ba-teek) and mixed media collage. Mitre’s Touch is just one of several galleries partiocpating in the April 17 event between 5 and 8 p.m.

Batik is a centuries-old, wax-resist dyeing technique that can be used on textiles such as silk, cotton and wool as well as leather, paper, wood and ceramics. This expressive art form is found in several countries in West Africa and Asia. In Indonesia, the ancient tradition is considered a national art form.

Jan learned the technique about a year ago at a batik workshop. Instead of textiles, though, she prefers to use rice paper on which she applies wax waterproof inks and watercolors or gouche. The wax creates a visual texture when the ink is applied.

The technique can be flexibly applied to create realism, abstract, florals or landscape art. Jan has been exploring abstract batik art and enjoys its breadth of interpretation.

“It’s open for everyone to see what they want to see in it,” she said. “With batik abstract, you do it in layers, dyeing and rewaxing, depending on how many places you want the wax to resist as you do the painting.”

Besides her batik artwork, she will also display her work in mixed media collage. Many of these pieces include hand-dyed papers, fibers, diffused ink pages and natural items from the Northwest outdoors.

Of course, a display of her traditional watercolor and oil art will also be on display along with a sample of the upcoming oil class painting for those interested in joining her beginners to advanced oil painting classes held weekly at the Wildflower Lodge.

The Mitre’s Touch invites the public to enjoy refreshments as they view Jan’s batik abstract and mixed-media collage art between 5 and 8 p.m.

Horse Hair Pots coming to The Potter’s House

The Potter’s House will be featuring “Horse Hair Pots” for Third Thursday Artwalk.

Bob Jensen will be demonstrating the technique at 5:30 and 7 p.m. He said this is a very interesting process to watch.

Pots are formed either by hand or thrown on a potter’s wheel. They are usually burnished with a smooth stone during the drying process, which creates a glossy surface on the pot.

After drying completely, the pieces are slowly heated to 1200 degrees F. Glazes are usually not used. The designs are created by removing the pot from the kiln at 1200 degrees F. and lying coarse strands of horse hair on it.

The heat from the clay causes the horse hair to burn. As it does it leaves a carbon residue that penetrates into the clay surface, leaving a black or charcoal gray line where the hair was.

As the hair burns, it shrivels up a bit, which creates very interesting and random designs, Jensen said. This is another one of those processes that the artist does not have complete control of, he added, so one is never sure exactly what the result will be.

The public is invited to come and be a part of the process.

Art fans will also discover artwork in glass, metal, wood, jewelry and painting by several other local artists in the gallery. Artwalk, Jensen said, is an opportunity to delight the aesthetic pallet, join in stimulating conversation and enjoy tantalizing, tasty refreshments.

Back to Nature features new oil paintings

Back to Nature Art Gallery is presenting a collection of new oil paintings by Linda Elliott.

Images of these works will be exhibited at the Surtex International Show in New York City in May.

Worldwide, Surtex is one of the largest and best known art licensing trade shows. Hundreds of artists and designers exhibit their work for companies looking for graphics for their products.

Representing that Eastern Oregon feeling will be three new cow paintings.

‘IRIS’: A new oil painting by Linda Elliot titled “Iris” glows with the purples and fushias of old-fashioned iris in the morning light, a black cat blending into the depths of the foliage.

“Nose to Nose” is a close encounter with another black and white calf sure to bring a smile to the viewer’s face.

Cats in garden flowers, always a favorite of the artist, comprise the rest of the exhibit. A brighter, bolder look with vivid colors and strong design are the hallmark of these new pieces.

In “Holly’s Hideaway” a calico is sitting in a shadowed hiding spot surrounded by California poppies, the light just touching her turned head.

In another painting the intense reds and pinks of poppies are the background for a show-stopping green eyed tabby.

A painting titled “Iris” glows with the purples and fushias of old-fashioned iris in the morning light, a black cat blending into the depths of the foliage.

To enjoy the entire collection stop by 1617 Fourth St. from 5 to 8 p.m., enjoy refreshments and take a look.

Back to Nature’s regular hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Nightingale showcases seniors’ best works

The Nightingale Gallery at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande is presenting an exhibition of the work of four graduating seniors: Emily Chartier, Christine Heap, Ashley Heisler and Matthew McDonal.

The exhibition, titled “What’s Within” will showcase the body of work that each of the artists has developed in their time at EOU including works on paper, fused glass, painting and ceramics.

The exhibit will run through April 25.

Highway 30 adds open mics, hosts artists

New at Highway 30 Eats, 1302 Adams Ave. are bands (May 3, 6 p.m., Brian Griffing, and open mics which started Tuesday and will take place every Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. For information, cal 541-975-9232.

Artists of the month are Amy Allen and Just Imagine! kindergarten.

Allen’s art communicates unique concepts from original perspectives by combining a wide variety of media — from pencil and paint to digital imagery.

Expressing a wide range of emotion, traditional often meets modern within the same frame, which makes Allen’s work unpredictable and thought provoking.

Students in Just Imagine! kindergarten, meanwhile, studied the works of author/illustrator Leo Lionni. The body of works included for the Art Walk reflects the students’ favorite stories and art. Students did a variety of art methods — torn paper collage, watercolor, color mixing and writing

Editor’s note: The Satellite Gallery is also particpating in Third Thursday Art Walk. See Page 9.