Waxing lyrical
PHUKET: Helping her lapidary mother as a child in the French Pacific territory of Nouvelle-Calédonie (New Caledonia), Patricia Boullion learned early the love of creating something using her bare hands.
Norachai Thavisin
Thursday 5 April 2012, 03:42PM
From collecting and handling gem stones, the artist went on to shape clay in pottery, and now – living in Phuket – is deeply-immersed in making beautiful batik.
Her small studio in Chalong is filled with her latest work: a large thin cotton cloth, stretched out on a rack, being lovingly worked on with wax and delicate hand-painted washes of pastel colours.
From the hot molten mixture of wax and paraffin on the kitchen stove, Patricia scoops up some in a small traditional Indonesian funnel, that allows her to effectively draw lines with the melted wax. These outlined shapes are then brushed in with different layers of watery paint.
Washing the wax lines away with warm water leaves neat white lines separating the colours, making up very satisfying designs that are inspired by nature.
The images reflect the relaxed and meditative state the artist is usually in when they are painted. Gentle classical music and Gregorian chants, playing in the background, also influence her art, it seems.
The much-travelled artist spent years sailing between New Caledonia and France. Calling into Phuket on a trip
to India in 2001, Patricia stayed in this natural paradise to make her wonderful batik.
Visitors are welcome to visit her house in Chalong, by appointment only. Call Patricia on 088-443-3412 or email caldianea@gmail.com.
