Featured Artist : Melanie RitterMelbatiks

I’m an aging artist with a complicated past living a simple life in beautiful northern NM. I’ve been continually surprised by the magic that is batik. I draw most of my inspiration from this Land of Enchantment, Taos. I have been influenced most by studying the history of Modern Art and especially by the Fauves and German Expressionists. I hope you can see my love of color in my work!

I studied art as a Printmaking major at The School of Visual Arts and The Art Institute of Boston. I continued my printmaking studies with master printers at the Visual Arts Center of NJ and the Art Students League in Denver.

I learned batik while at the Art Institute of Boston. I developed my own style by countless experiments in the studio I had in Boston. I started using my batiked fabric in fashion and started Melanie Fabric and Fashions in the ‘70s. Although I had some success, I was too young and inexperienced for the rather cutthroat industry called fashion.

Eventually, I married and had two wonderful children. My day job turned into a decent living and I continued to print at the Visual Arts Center.

Batik makes a mess and has limited my time doing this form. I started to batik again about one year ago when I moved to Taos. I have been exhibiting my batiks and prints at Ennui Gallery and set up an Etsy shop.

I use the rayon scarves and cotton pillowcases from Dharma as well as their fabrics. I have been very satisfied with the consistent quality products and excellent customer service available at Dharma Trading Company.