Batik is an age old art of textile, with Javanese origins. It is more than just about drawing with wax but instead an art that is very deeply embedded with the influence of culture and religion. Modern batik designs are everything under the sun, but tradition batik has specific designs and colours that all carry meaning and purpose. Much like how purple is the colour of royalty in Europe /Medieval Europe or yellow to ancient China and parts of Asia and how silk is worn by the rich and influencial, batik is a fabric of status and the colors and patterns can tell you about the wearers social standings.
A magnificent art that has won the hearts of admirers the world over, it was only a matter of time before a new form a batik emerges…and today we have it – Eco Batik. Not that the original form of batik was ever so serious detrimental to the environment but eco friendly batik just makes it all the better and who better to know this than Jennifer Doheny who has over 12 years experience in batiking and has in her own words “developed a way to bring ancient handmade textile beauty to the contemporary design market”.
So what makes eco-batik exactly what it is – eco-conscious? Well for starters how about it is made using 100% recycled material, soy wax and low impact ink – the end product is the batik that “is a perfect marriage of old and new, form and function, design and sustainability.”
And here’s what makes Jennifer Doheny’s batik even more special. Instead of just making eco friendly batik, she actually turns them into custom window treatments and lampshades! Doheny’s batik designs are unique – a mix between the modern and the old, very colourful, very beautiful and simply tasteful for the home.
Her beautiful works are available for viewing at her showroom in Milwaukee and some smaller pieces such as greeting cards are available on Etsy. You may visit her website to learn more about how she specifically does batiking. Presently her works are all done on paper but I look forward to the day she comes out with her batik textiles…those will be splendid.
