#21 - Rivnenshchyna Reverie: Red & Black Pysanky - Irene Chewchuk - Thursday July 23rd - 10:00am to 12:00pm

Workshop Summary:

Inspired by Victoria Stepaniuk’s traditional pysanka creations from her book "Pysanka Rivnenshchyny", these eggs are written on brown chicken eggs, dyed in red then black and finally etched to white.

Many traditional elements are used in the designs of these pysanky.

This 2 hour workshop will focus on but not limited to the ‘tree of life’ design.

• Various design elements will be explored 

• Instruction & demonstration on technique will be provided

• Sample pysanky will be available

• Instructional handout and a prepared brown chicken egg will be provided to each participant.

This workshop is appropriate and welcomes all levels of pysankarstvo.

What’s Provided:

• one pre dyed chicken egg

• one egg holder

• instructional handout including sample eggs and design inspiration

What to Bring:

• a pencil

• a kistka (medium and /or fine)

• beeswax

Maximum Number of Students:40

Workshop Fee: $40 CAD per student
Please bring $40 CAD in cash, placed in an envelope with your name and the instructor’s name written on it, to the start of class. 

About Irene Chewchuk:

I was introduced to the art of writing pysanky about 60 years ago while attending St. Volodymyr Ukrainian school.  I immediately fell in love with the craft and my parents bought me my first kistka, wax and a few dyes.  My father constructed a wax melting apparatus using a board, utility light fixture, coat hanger and soup cans. Armed with these tools and basic knowledge of the process I began creating pysanky with varied success.  Over time I amassed a collection of books, postcards and magazines which inspired me to try various techniques, styles and patterns.  More recently the internet has provided a source of information, instruction and inspiration.  I have written pysanky on quail, guinea, chicken, duck, turkey, goose, swan, rhea, and ostrich eggs.  When I’m not writing pysanky, I enjoy sewing, embroidering, crocheting, knitting, quilting, quilling and painting.