tell us about your background
I am a registered nurse/mother/wife/artist who took this art form up in high school.
tell us about what you create
I create Pysanky which is a specific kind of batiking on egg shells. That involves applying hot bees wax to an egg, dipping it in dye baths and further wax applications. The wax is then melted off revealing the brilliant colour dye saturated shells. These eggs are not painted, thus no paint to peel off. They are also coated with several layers of an artist quality varnish.
what made you start making your pieces?
Many years ago while in High School I was looking for an inexpensive art form to teach myself for an independant art course. I saw a window display with the book “Eggs Beautiful”, bees wax, kistkas (stylus drawing tool heated over a candle), and packages of coloured dye. My inital eggs “Pysanky” where very simple and very very challanging! But I was hooked.
What is your inspiration/influences?
I find inspiration everywhere! Quilted patterns, Japanese woodblock prints, fabrics, geometry, magazines, nature.
What materials do you use?
I use just about any type of eggs. I have made Pysanky as small as pigeon and cockatiel (the shells are super thin and do not take up colour in a vibrant way. Chicken, pullet, duck, turkey, goose, and Ostrich. Finding white eggs in Brisbane is a huge challange. I use bees was tinted white or black. I use electric kistkas although I have many traditional tools. I use dyes, bleach, vinegar and varnish.
tell us about your creative process?
Finding white eggs are my biggest battle! My last batches came from the Melbourne Markets. I drill a 3 mm hole in one end, blow air (with a tool, not my mouth) into the hole which causes the increased pressure inside of the egg to assist pushing out the yolk and white out the one hole. The egg then is washed inside and out with hospital grade cleaner, rinsed and allowed to air dry. Now the creative process starts with anegg either white or dyed. Hot wax is drawn on with a tool which cools very quickly. The egg is then bathed in darker colours (ususally) until the egg is coated in a dark wax and dyed a dark colour and looks very unattractive. Next the wax is melted off of the shell and all of the brilliant colours are revealed (my favorite step for sure!). Finally several coates of artist quality varnish is applied, giving the egg more strength and ease of washing.
why did you choose in.cube8r?
I love the concept of retail space rental and exposure without commission. How fantastic is that? Meeting Vicki sealed the deal as her passion for handmade arts and crafts was clearly apparent in her Valley Shop.
anything else you would like to add?
I haven’t organized any demonstrations in time for this Easter season, but I make my “babies” all year and for all occassions. I hope to have some demonstrations organized through Incube8r and at my unit. If you are interested in attending a demonstration, learning more about this art form or taking any classes email me your interest at: jodi.henninger@hotmail.com
where else can we find you?
I also have eggs for sale down at New Farm Editions. I believe I will be featured in the Sunday Mail onEaster Sunday in the home craft section. I am on Pinterest under Jodi Henninger, I have a facebook page at Jodi.Henninger@hotmail.com and a shop through Etsy. Etsy/com/shop/