by Reva Weinlaub

When wearing a "one of a kind" hand-painted silk creation, Wanda Baxter enjoys the admiring glances or obvious stares she receives. She feels like a walking canvas that she has created in her world of art.

Wanda Baxter began silk painting in 1980 when art to wear became fashionable. "We saw hand-painted silk garments in a boutique on Sanibel Island, and I immediately fell in love with the technique," she said. "Lahja Seppa-Tischler taught me the basic technique, then I just experimented and developed my own style, which became 'Silks the Wanda Way.'"

Baxter's unique technique involves painting yards of fabric at one time, which is then stretches on long boards. she paints from ideas in her mind, using vibrant steam-set dyes. Each garment is an original, wearable work of art. "I have a great team to help keep my designs flowing. Kate Jobe and Yarrow Pleasanton are my associate designing artists, and Kim Gaynor is responsible for designing, pattern making, cutting and sewing of all my garments" said Baxter.

"My husband and I travel extensively, looking at art, antiques and original designs," said Baxter. "We are always seeking inspiration for new colors and textures to creatively use in our work, as well as my silk paintings."

The highlight of her artistry is meeting worldwide textile designers and artists. "they are enthusiastically spirited people and speak vividly about what they do. Almost every artist with whom I have talked feels as I do, that he work is a process of divine flow that comes forth from within. I call it my God in action, for many times I do not recognize the actual work as mine when I finish."

silks the Wanda Way has progressed from hand-painted silk scarves to a full line of women's wear sold at major department stores and upscale boutiques. Baxter also sells and distribute Art by the Yard and Silk Watercolors (framed paintings) to the home fashion industry. Her fabrics are featured at Jeffrey Michaels at the Design Center of the Americas in Dania Beach.

It is her hope and dream to establish a Foundation with other silk artists. "A place to come and study and work together under a secure umbrella, with an atmosphere which reaches out to draw silk artists together, allowing us to create and share out work. I would love to hear from other silk painters who believe in the potential of silk painting as a fine art medium," said Baxter.

"I love every aspect of my work, from the first idea, the painting, the designing, to the marketing," said Baxter.

QUICK BIO
Born in the small town of Baymer, MO, Baxter showed interest in art as a child. She studied at Kansas City Art Institute and School of Design and majored in interior design. She moved to Florida in 1969 to pursue her career, and married interior designer Porter Baxter. Their successful partnership, Porter Baxter Interior Design, Indialantic, Florida, created interior designs for both residential and commercial clients, often featuring hand-painted fabrics.

(Reprinted from Art Spirit! magazine.)

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