Roberta Winjum

Artist Statement

Artistic Philosophy: My subject matter is driven by a desire to translate the natural world into color and form. While I am inspired by the organic beauty of nature, the heart of my practice is the crayon batik process itself. I find deep fulfillment in the labor of the craft and the "reveal"—the transformative moment the wax is removed to uncover a work that previously existed only in layers. It is an act of bringing something tangible into existence through patience and intuition.

Process & Technique: This fiber art form, the crayon batik replaces traditional dyes with melted colored wax. Using a candle flame, I melt individual crayons, letting the wax drip onto cotton cloth. Once the composition is entirely covered, the piece is immersed in a black dye bath, and the wax is later ironed out to reveal the design. I occasionally integrate final touches of hand-stitching or acrylic paint.

Themes & Influences: The unpredictable nature of dripping wax forces a looseness that naturally lends itself to abstraction, while my love of the outdoors makes nature an ideal subject. The crayons provide a nostalgic, comforting familiarity, and their limited palette forces me to interpret color loosely. The resulting aesthetic sits at the intersection of pointillism, impressionism, and traditional textile craft.