I took a water colour painting class with my son when he was in middle school. We both loved this medium and continued for a couple of years. Ben moved on to an arts high school and I continued painting for fun, when I had the time.

In 2004, I quit my work as a clinical counsellor in Ottawa and moved to Vancouver Island to start a different life. I took art classes at the ten Malaspina College and learned how to draw. I experimented with charcoal (lovely) and chalk pastels (gruesome) and then went back to watercolour. It’s sometimes hard to go back when you have tried other things, and I found I wasn’t as excited or motivated as previously. In spring 2008, I went on holiday to Bali and took a batik course.....I was hooked.

When I got back to Canada, I started by using the traditional batik method. I melted wax and, with a tjanting tool, I drew my picture. My mum, years before, had sent me silk paints and yards of silk. Since then, after much research and frustration at the few places that deal with silk painting supplies, I moved on to a water based resist (instead of wax) and then to silk dyes. Dyes, although more work in that they have to be steam set, are much more vibrant than the paints and longer lasting.

I am enjoying finding new things and ways to paint in silk. I am painting cushions, scarves, purses, eyeglass cases and the odd shawl and sarong. I have recently begun painting without resist and letting the dye flow on the silk. I sell my cushions at Imagine That Artisans' Designs, where I am a member. I am a member of the Visions Art tour and will be opening my own studio on 1840 Koksilah Rd, near Cowichan Bay, in the spring.

Clare Carver
Artist Biography