Yesterday, I joined my friend Vic for
pysanki, the ancient Eastern European art of egg decorating. Using a stylus called a kistka, you write with wax in the batik method to dye the egg in stages. Some eggs done in this style are really extraordinary; Vic comforted me that it is a precise art (it takes several hours), and not to feel frustrated not getting it or wanting it to turn out exactly as planned. This banana reminded me of the beauty of dappled things; I took Vic's advice to use free form lines.
 |
you can see the beeswax block here
Everything you want to remain white, you cover with
wax. Then you die the egg in the next
lightest dye you prefer (usually yellow). Next, you cover all the areas you
want to remain yellow with wax, before dying in the next darkest shade.
|
 |
| Vic chose a design modeling art from her wedding vows! |
 |
Vic’s grandmother from Poland was in a concentration camp during WWII. There,
she created eggs using a kistka she fashioned herself from the metal piece off
the end of her shoelace! |
 |
| I chose a shrimp design, inspired by a delicious shrimp lunch. |
 |
| Vic's more traditional design with lines and geometric forms. |
It is a slow and meditative process. You end up with an egg largely covered in black wax.
 |
| Only when you burn the wax off by the flame is your completed design revealed! |
 |
| ta-dah! |
 |
| Risky business: after you create this beautiful egg, you still have the insides to take care of. |
We used a pump (thanks, Claire!)
After my first egg cracked at this stage, I turned this delicate art over to Vic!
HAPPY EASTER!
"Behold, I make all things new."
Hope yours was egg-cellent!!
