I have also given a presentation to a Folk-life class at Washburn University, in Topeka, Kansas.
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| Technique | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A wax-resist or batik process produces Kraslice, or beautiful eggs. I start with a clean egg and section it in as many parts necessary to create a specific pattern. Then, using pinheads, nail heads, the old style writing pen nibs and feathers, layers of wax are put on the surface of the egg in desired patterns. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| After each wax application, the egg is put into a dye bath. Only the areas that haven't been waxed over will accept the dye. After each dye bath, another wax application is applied to where that particular color is to remain. Working with colors from light to dark, alternating steps of wax and dye are applied. When the darkest dye color is reached, usually black, the egg is dried off and the wax removed by being held over a flame. At this point, one can finally see all of the previous work. The egg is then blown, dried in the oven at a low temperature, and when cooled, given a protective coat of varnish. In the old days the final protective coating was usually butter. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Many things affected the ideas of the Czech people and today their symbols or motifs stand as a reminder of the beliefs of an old people from an old time. These arts are preserved by the different folk artists. To help accomplish this, the Kansas Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program was created. It serves as a way to help people with an interest in the folk arts work with a master artisan. Without this program, I would have never known or been able to work with Kepka Belton, my teacher, and my mentor. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| I have been invited to demonstrate at several festivals including: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Railroad Days and the 101st meeting of the Kansas Arts Commission in Topeka, Kansas | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Kansas Folk-life Festival in Manhattan, Kansas | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Festival International in Kansas City, Kansas | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A Festival at Bethany College in Newton, Kansas | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Finney County Folk Festival in Garden City, Kansas | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Kansas Museum of History in Topeka, Kansas | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sam White Days in Colby, Kansas, and several other local festivals. I have also given a presentation to a Folk-life class at Washburn University, in Topeka, Kansas. |
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| For more information I can be emailed at - [email protected]. I am available for programs and workshops. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| * I have created the web pages, decorated the eggs, photographed and created the graphics, unless otherwise noted. The information was compiled during my apprenticeship from several sources, but mainly from a translation of the book, VYROCNI OBYCEJE A LIDOVE UMENI. Some of the web elements and pictures are borrowed from unknown origins marked with an *, and TRADITIONS: Czech Egg Decorating. A special thanks to all who contributed! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| You are the | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Visitor, thanks for stopping by! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Egg Gallery | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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