Judy Ballinger
Hand-painted Silkwares
Hand-painted Silkwares
To say that there’s a world of artistry in the silkwares of Judy Ballinger is an understatement. It should be worlds, plural.
Her silk scarves and stretched hangings favor natural subjects that could be drawn from practically anywhere in the world. Bold florals, swirling sea life, Paris in the springtime, vibrant colors from South American rain forests.
Many of her subjects are drawn from her own experience. She might reference the muted earthtones in her sketchbooks from 12 years in Ethiopia and Sudan. Her designs might reflect the flora, fauna or shells of Cape May, where she lived before coming to Berks County, and continues to visit often. Or she might draw her inspiration from as close to home as the birds outside of her kitchen window.
Then there’s the world of experience that led up to her becoming a full-time artist. She has always been an avid painter. As an art educator with a masters degree, Judy worked with groups ranging from preschoolers to international students to seniors. While in Africa, she collected woven goods and studied batik-making. She worked as an assistant to a Japanese kimono painter.
In terms of quality, there is no room for compromise in Judy’s world. She works with high quality silks, which she has found withstand routine hand-washing and ironing better than plant-based fabrics. Her paints are imported from France. If you see her name on a piece, you can be certain that it is a one-of-a-kind original, not mass produced.
At a glance, you see a beautiful scarf. Look closer, and you’ll see that worlds of artistry have gone into its creation.
Her silk scarves and stretched hangings favor natural subjects that could be drawn from practically anywhere in the world. Bold florals, swirling sea life, Paris in the springtime, vibrant colors from South American rain forests.
Many of her subjects are drawn from her own experience. She might reference the muted earthtones in her sketchbooks from 12 years in Ethiopia and Sudan. Her designs might reflect the flora, fauna or shells of Cape May, where she lived before coming to Berks County, and continues to visit often. Or she might draw her inspiration from as close to home as the birds outside of her kitchen window.
Then there’s the world of experience that led up to her becoming a full-time artist. She has always been an avid painter. As an art educator with a masters degree, Judy worked with groups ranging from preschoolers to international students to seniors. While in Africa, she collected woven goods and studied batik-making. She worked as an assistant to a Japanese kimono painter.
In terms of quality, there is no room for compromise in Judy’s world. She works with high quality silks, which she has found withstand routine hand-washing and ironing better than plant-based fabrics. Her paints are imported from France. If you see her name on a piece, you can be certain that it is a one-of-a-kind original, not mass produced.
At a glance, you see a beautiful scarf. Look closer, and you’ll see that worlds of artistry have gone into its creation.
