Patrick Akinbola

I am Patrick Akinbola residing in Queens NY. Originally from Nigeria, I have had artistic influences around my life since I was a kid. My dad trained both as a graphic artist and a painter and watching him paint was a favorite pastime for me. I had watch my mom do tie dye growing up even though I didn't show much interest. My desire was to become a painter, which ultimately led to an undergraduate degree. My interest in puppetry resulted in interest in Educational Technology which I studied at the graduate level (University of Missouri) to acquire a PhD. I however returned to batik following a doctorate and job search in my area which did not yield any result. My spouse (Anthonia) and myself based on a survival instinct felt the need to earn a living from our artistic skills. While she is specialized in batik immersion, my technique is the direct application.

We therefore in 1988 begun Batikarts, a wearable arts and souvenir shop in Columbia MO, which we operated through a storefront until 2005. This we have subsequently transitioned into an online operation and incorporated both our own works and those of other artists, crafters and artisans in our home country Nigeria and the US.

Direct application batik is my technique of choice. Apart from working on murals and other larger surfaces, I have also been interested in wearable art. My interest in murals traces back to my desire for artistic expression which are not commercially motivated. Wearable arts on the other hand stems from a desire to model sustainable living as an artist.

My attraction to batiks (direct application specifically) is particularly linked to some peculiar characteristics I have experience which have further spurred my creative impetus. Apart from the translucent effect that results from the wax resist when light is passed through, there is also the beady manifestation of dyes when painted on wax. This creates a certain dynamism and transition whereby the same artwork if captured several times after its completion, would tend to take on new and different characteristics as the dyes settles in their final positions.

I established two complimentary platforms www.afrotreasure.com and www.infopowerinternational.org with a view of assisting low income and under-served communities. Our program Arts For Income is a model for community empowerment through the arts. It is my view that globally, artists are a threatened and endangered group, who have been underrated and left with insufficient encouragement and support. Based on my belonging to an artist's family in which my father and mother (deceased), spouse & both children are all artists, I feel an obligation to model what I profess. This I do not only by creating artworks myself, but also teaching and mentoring young and "struggling" artists, to manifest their artistic side.

Dharma products that I use for the direct application techniques include the following:

Urea, Soda Ash Fixer, Sodium Alginate Thickener, Synthrapol Detergent, Scarfs, Brushes, Clothing, Dharma Fiber Reactive Procion Dyes