BRISTOL — Ukrainian decorated eggs, or pysanky, are decorated with traditional Ukrainian folk designs using a wax-resist method. The word pysanka comes from the verb pysaty, “to write”, as the designs are not painted on, but written with beeswax. OnSaturday, April 29,from1-3 p.m.,at Art on Main, artist Theresa Somerset of Precision Studio will demonstrate the traditional art of pysanky.
Somerset, who has a degree in Fine Art and has been painting since she was ten years old, is self-taught in her chosen craft of egg painting. Her work is meticulous and multi-layered and she has taken her medium well beyond the traditional Ukrainian designs.
Incorporating a batik style of painting as well as etching into the egg shells Somerset is drawn to personal and historic imagery. She uses mostly local eggs. Her artistry covers everything from tiny quail eggs to emu and ostrich eggs with intricate designs and fantastic color.
Somerset is demonstrating as part of the town wide Spring into Art celebration taking place in Bristol on April 29.