Artist Statement
I appreciate batik for its random results - the mixture of waxes, dyes, and fabric texture creates endless combinations of effects that are only revealed at the final step. For me, the art form is an excuse to use vibrant colors and simple shapes to produce complex designs, without having to worry too much about the details - there are no "mistakes" in batik, and the drips, cracks and dye spills are all part of the creative process.
I like the concept of using a very old, traditional media for contemporary and stylized images. My inspiration for themes is music, sports, architecture, engineering, and being outdoors.
In my latest work I have begun to bring my engineering background more to the forefront, using mixed media to create three-dimensional structural and truss components to layer over the batik. Additionally, in my continued study of the human form, I am exploring the motion of dancers, aerial artists, and workmen through the objects that connect these people in their activities.
I grew up in Massachusetts, live in Oakland, California, studied Civil Engineering at Tufts University, and learned batik while a US Peace Corps Volunteer in Uruguay, South America. I am a self-taught artist and have exhibited across the country.
Thanks for visiting my site, and I look forward to hearing from you !
~ John
I like the concept of using a very old, traditional media for contemporary and stylized images. My inspiration for themes is music, sports, architecture, engineering, and being outdoors.
In my latest work I have begun to bring my engineering background more to the forefront, using mixed media to create three-dimensional structural and truss components to layer over the batik. Additionally, in my continued study of the human form, I am exploring the motion of dancers, aerial artists, and workmen through the objects that connect these people in their activities.
I grew up in Massachusetts, live in Oakland, California, studied Civil Engineering at Tufts University, and learned batik while a US Peace Corps Volunteer in Uruguay, South America. I am a self-taught artist and have exhibited across the country.
Thanks for visiting my site, and I look forward to hearing from you !
~ John
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Awards
National Endowment for the Arts & D.C. Commission on the Arts Small Project Program grant recipient. June, 2001.
Solo Shows
Feb 2011 "The Beauty of Batik" Olive Hyde Art Gallery, Fremont CA
June 2010 "Roadtrip: From the Sierras to the Sea" C'era Una Volta, Alameda
May- June, 2007 “California Landscapes”. Eagles Nest Café, San Francisco.
October-Jan, 2006 “Waterscapes”. San Francisco Bay Water Quality, Oakland.
May- Dec., 2003 Rock Soup, San Francisco.
October, 2002 Open Studios, San Francisco.
September, 2001 “New Prints”. Washington, DC.
Juried Exhibitions
October, 2004 “Open to Change”. Whitney Young Cultural Center Mansion, San Francisco.
June, 2004 “Summer Solstice Blues… and Yellows”. Café Arrivederci, San Rafael.
May, 2001 Juried Online Arts Festival.
May, 2001 “Television: A visual dialogue about television and its relationship to the work week”.
San Mateo, California.
December, 2000 “Bikeworks: Celebrating bicycling in the nation’s capital”. Platinum Club and Art Gallery,
Washington D.C.
Publications
October, 2006 CD cover “Fool’s Journey” by Tara Linda
June, 2004 “A Guide to the Week Ahead”, San Rafael News Pointer
November, 2001 Featured in “Found Art”, Washington City Paper. Washington, D.C.
August, 1998 Cover, Watermarks literary magazine. Washington, D.C.
Selected Group Shows
January-June, 2006 Silver Gallery, San Francisco.
June, 2006 Matrii art show, San Francisco.
February, 2004 La Toscana Restaurant. San Rafael, California.
June, 2003 Hall of Flowers. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
October, 2002 Open Studios, San Francisco.
July, 2002 “Art of July”. Marriott Copley Plaza, Boston.
April, 2002 Matrii art show, San Francisco.
June, 1999 “Summer art show and keg party”, Washington, D.C.
August, 1993 Intendencía Municipal de Arts and Crafts. Montevideo, Uruguay.
Batik Teaching/Workshops
We will explore the ancient and contemporary art of batik. For thousands of years, batik has employed a technique of wax resist and dye to create beautiful & unique patterns on cloth. In this workshop, we will review batik applications and see examples from around the world (India, Africa, Indonesia) as well as contemporary designs. Everyone will have the chance to create a small batik, and all materials will be provided. There are no mistakes in batik - the wax drips, dyes spill, and art crackles ~ these are all part of the creative process, which is the fun & challenge of this media. John Tinger, an Oakland based artist, studied batik at the Intendencia Municipal del Florida in Uruguay and has been doing batik for almost 20 years. An experienced lecturer, he is a NEA & DC Commission of the Arts grant recipient, and has shown in many low-key gallery settings across the country. http://www.BatikFineArt.com
John's workshops have included:
Olive Hyde Art Guild (adults)
San Jose State workshop (college students)
San Mateo Public School (4th graders)
Livermore Art Association
National Endowment for the Arts & D.C. Commission on the Arts Small Project Program grant recipient. June, 2001.
Solo Shows
Feb 2011 "The Beauty of Batik" Olive Hyde Art Gallery, Fremont CA
June 2010 "Roadtrip: From the Sierras to the Sea" C'era Una Volta, Alameda
May- June, 2007 “California Landscapes”. Eagles Nest Café, San Francisco.
October-Jan, 2006 “Waterscapes”. San Francisco Bay Water Quality, Oakland.
May- Dec., 2003 Rock Soup, San Francisco.
October, 2002 Open Studios, San Francisco.
September, 2001 “New Prints”. Washington, DC.
Juried Exhibitions
October, 2004 “Open to Change”. Whitney Young Cultural Center Mansion, San Francisco.
June, 2004 “Summer Solstice Blues… and Yellows”. Café Arrivederci, San Rafael.
May, 2001 Juried Online Arts Festival.
May, 2001 “Television: A visual dialogue about television and its relationship to the work week”.
San Mateo, California.
December, 2000 “Bikeworks: Celebrating bicycling in the nation’s capital”. Platinum Club and Art Gallery,
Washington D.C.
Publications
October, 2006 CD cover “Fool’s Journey” by Tara Linda
June, 2004 “A Guide to the Week Ahead”, San Rafael News Pointer
November, 2001 Featured in “Found Art”, Washington City Paper. Washington, D.C.
August, 1998 Cover, Watermarks literary magazine. Washington, D.C.
Selected Group Shows
January-June, 2006 Silver Gallery, San Francisco.
June, 2006 Matrii art show, San Francisco.
February, 2004 La Toscana Restaurant. San Rafael, California.
June, 2003 Hall of Flowers. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
October, 2002 Open Studios, San Francisco.
July, 2002 “Art of July”. Marriott Copley Plaza, Boston.
April, 2002 Matrii art show, San Francisco.
June, 1999 “Summer art show and keg party”, Washington, D.C.
August, 1993 Intendencía Municipal de Arts and Crafts. Montevideo, Uruguay.
Batik Teaching/Workshops
We will explore the ancient and contemporary art of batik. For thousands of years, batik has employed a technique of wax resist and dye to create beautiful & unique patterns on cloth. In this workshop, we will review batik applications and see examples from around the world (India, Africa, Indonesia) as well as contemporary designs. Everyone will have the chance to create a small batik, and all materials will be provided. There are no mistakes in batik - the wax drips, dyes spill, and art crackles ~ these are all part of the creative process, which is the fun & challenge of this media. John Tinger, an Oakland based artist, studied batik at the Intendencia Municipal del Florida in Uruguay and has been doing batik for almost 20 years. An experienced lecturer, he is a NEA & DC Commission of the Arts grant recipient, and has shown in many low-key gallery settings across the country. http://www.BatikFineArt.com
John's workshops have included:
Olive Hyde Art Guild (adults)
San Jose State workshop (college students)
San Mateo Public School (4th graders)
Livermore Art Association