Gwen Bodie

Available at the Alberta Craft Gallery - Edmonton

I fell in love with batik over 50 years when friends brought one back from Thailand. In 1975 I jumped at the chance to learn this ancient art when Edmonton Parks and Recreation offered a batik course. I started batiking in my home when my oldest daughters were very young. It was a creative outlet for the "stay-at-home-mom-blues". I really needed more to do with my hands and mind than change diapers!

I soon began to sell my batiks at craft fairs and stores in Edmonton. I sold batiks at the very first Edmonton Folk Music Festival in 1980. As my daughters got older, and I went back to my teaching career, I left batik behind for a while. Then, in 2011, after retiring from teaching, a bout of cancer, and a trip to Hawaii where the botanical gardens stirred my heart to create again, I picked up my brushes, my wax and dye and got back to it!

I once again started selling batiks at craft fairs, stores, and on-line through Etsy. I have displayed my work through some of the wonderful programs offered by the Edmonton Public Library as well as an exhibit called "Treat", through Alberta Craft Council. 

Three years ago I went back to selling batiks through the Artisan Market at Edmonton Folk Festival....full circle!