"Lummi Island Goatherd" by Lara Wheeler

19 x 25 inches
batik on cotton
$1950

Contact Lara to purchase

Artist Statement: 

My art practice is grounded in the tactile, time-honored process of batik—a resist dyeing technique in which successive layers of wax protect areas of cloth from color. Batik is both deliberate and unpredictable: each choice of wax and dye locks in a moment of intention, yet the medium always surprises with crackling, texture, and subtle shifts that emerge only during dyeing and waxing.

I begin with photographs I’ve taken—fragments of landscapes, people caught in an unguarded moment—then translate them into fabric with brush and wax. The process demands planning, patience, and a willingness to embrace the material’s own voice. Silk and cotton become more than surface: they carry memory, depth, and a resonance between the seen and the felt. My goal is to create work that invites viewers to slow down and engage with color, form, and narrative in a way that honors both tradition and personal vision. Through batik, I seek to weave together technique, emotion, and place—inviting an intimate conversation between cloth and viewer.

About the Artist:

Lara Raven Wheeler is a multimedia fiber artist based in Olympia, Washington, whose work explores the expressive possibilities of batik and related textile techniques. Through her practice, Lara uses the ancient wax-resist method of batik—layering molten wax and dyes on cotton and silk—to create richly colored landscapes, portraits, and narrative works that emphasize light, shadow, and emotional resonance. Drawing on photographs she’s taken of her own explorations, Lara meticulously plans each piece before waxing and dying layer after layer, finally allowing the unique patina of the medium to reveal itself as wax is removed and colors emerge. Her work bridges traditional craft and contemporary artistic expression, bringing the textural depth and luminosity of batiked fabric into fine art contexts. Lara’s fine art prints and original textile works reflect a profound connection to material and place, rooted in both personal experience and an appreciation for the long history of batik as an art form.

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