Welcome to part 4 of “Artist Spotlight”, an ongoing blog series recognizing artists from a variety of communities.

The following interview is conducted and written by Peach, one of the team members here at Liquid Amber.

From Aug 6- the end of Oct, 2021, we are pleased to showcase Almira Baimuratova’s art on our studio walls.

P - Hi Almira! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?

A - Of course! My name is Almira Baimuratova. I was born and raised in Almaty, Kazakhstan. I have been working with batik since 1999, Although I use some conventional batik techniques and materials such as paraffin wax and silk. My work is not entirely traditional, it is an absolutely unique hand made modern style. I love using different mediums, such as oils, watercolors, acrylics, pastels, and pencils as well.

P - Can you explain a bit what batik style painting is and why you are drawn to working in this method?

A - Batik is an ancient art form from Indonesia made by using wax resistant dye on fabrics. The applied wax resists dyes and therefore allows the artisan to colour selectively by soaking the cloth in one colour, removing the wax with boiling water, and repeating if multiple colours are desired.

I find traditional techniques very interesting. I decided to use it in modern media, by showing the best of traditional batik techniques but in my own vision of contemporary art. To get effects such as crackles, splashes and darker color from light, I use layers on layers of melted wax and colors. It takes time and concentration, focus and patience. There is no room for mistakes, in Batik, artists can't repaint.

P- What inspires you to paint the scenes that you decide on?

A - Stylization with a focus on depicting nature in a decorative way has always appealed to me. Using bright, vibrant colors and contrast in my artwork to communicate happiness, I believe is my ultimate goal. Although I visualize my pictures before I begin each one, I enjoy playing with lines, tones, details and effects to give each piece an original, spontaneous quality. Whether it be a sketch, oil painting or batik, I find the process just as fulfilling as the finished piece. My travels have inspired my focus on landscaping, still life in my artwork to show the beauty of our planet.

The landscapes in Kazakhstan are similar to BC, although no ocean. There are many fields with canyons where you can find petroglyphs. The combination of mountains and vast meadows are incredibly beautiful scenes which can inspire any artist.

I’m also inspired by Gustav Klimt, and other contemporary impressionists.

P - Thank you so much Almira, we are thrilled to have your beautiful artworks displayed in our shop!

Learn more about Almira, and follow her work on facebook.