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For 28 years, I have been making batiked cotton clothing
under the name KEEPER OF THE RAINBOW BATIK. I learned
the batik process while studying textile design at
UCLA, from where I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree.
Batik is a wax resist method of dying designs onto
cloth. Each garment starts out blank white and goes
through a multi-sep process of alternating applications
of hot liquid wax and color…waxing the color
areas to prevent them from getting over-dyed. At the
end, the wax is removed and you have a soft garment
that is a piece of wearable art. Because the design
is dyed into the fabric, you cannot feel anything on
the surface as is the case with silkscreening or fabric
painting.
The designs in my garments are my own orignal artwork…except
for a few Native Amnerican stylized designs that I
have used. The themes reflect my relationship with
the natural world that surrounds me. Being a dedicated
surfer, I have a lot of ocean related designs, and
I also have a lot of celestial inspired motifs. I love
stars and use them a lot! Over the years, I have learned
to listen to what my customers would like to have and
then let it settle in my mind until a design shows
itself to me.
KEEPER OF THE RAINBOW is a line of unique, handcrafted
garments…even the dyes I use are my own recipes
and not just colors out of a dye jar. The dyes I use
are non-toxic, but very colorfast and yield true, beautiful
shades. I also do contract dying for the line of natural
fiber lingerie called Love Tanjane, and over the past
6 years have become a very well-versed colorist.
Due to the lengthy process that batik entails, there
are very few people in this country that do it on a “commercial” basis,
and so I believe that I have something very original
and unique to offer.
I’m very pleased to be working with Big On Batik,
and look forward to creating beautiful wearable art
designs on the various white blank tops and dresses
that are available on their website.
Leslie Broude
Keeper of the Rainbow
Ventura, California
Phone: 805-652-1097
e-mail: BATIKER@aol.com
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