Image from Baltimore Style Magazine, David Stuck
Learn the ancient art of Pysanky
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Technical
Classes cover the wax resist technique of writing, use of aniline dyes, and various wax removal options. Basic divisions, and symbols integral to the traditional pysanky are the focus of the beginner class.
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Cultural
Traditional pysanky are considered talisman, holding intention in symbol and color combination. Beginner classes will cover the cultural (and spiritual) significance of the art form.
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Accessible
All materials for class are provided, including egg “canvasses”: white and brown chicken eggs (or goose, turkey, duck or quail in advanced classes), kistky (wax writing stylus), beeswax and dyes, candles, heat gun, and other required materials.
Beginner Pysanky Class - $350 (up to 6 attendees, $50ea additional)
Basic wax resist techniques, combined with cultural history of the Pysanky introduces the foundational aspects of the art form.
4 hour class for up to 6 adults.
All materials and guidelines provided
Host at your home or location of choice.
Class is taught on white or brown chicken egg, design penciled onto shell in advance.
Participants work on the same design, and once complete are invited to create another Pysanka of their own creative vision or inspiration.
Payments made via cash or Venmo on the day of class.
Beginner Pysanky Class w/kit- $400 (up to 6 attendees, $65ea additional)
Basic wax resist techniques, combined with cultural history of the Pysanky introduces the foundational aspects of the art form.
4 hour class for up to 6 adults.
All materials provided, including individual Pysanky Kits (1 kistka, 1 block of beeswax, 6 dye packets, instructions, ordered by Instructor in advance) which participants take home with them to start their own pysanky practice.
Host at your home or location of choice.
Class is taught on white or brown chicken egg, design penciled onto shell in advance.
Participants work on the same design, and once complete are invited to create another Pysanka of their own creative vision or inspiration.
Payments made via cash or Venmo on the day of class.
advanced Pysanky Class - $450 (6 Attendees, $65ea additional)
This class explores different egg canvases (goose, duck, turkey, quail), as well as advanced techniques like wash backs, color blending, and starting with a dyed canvas. This is NOT a beginner class, and is preferable for individuals who have a basic understanding of pysanky, who write pysanky and are seeking to level up in how they approach the art form, or who are seeking to learn the nuances of using an egg canvas other than chicken egg.
4 hour class for up to 6 adults.
All materials provided — class will choose which egg canvas to work from (turkey, goose, duck or quail)
Host at your home or location of choice.
Participants create a Pysanka of their own creative vision or inspiration. Instructor will provide reference materials.
Payments made via cash or Venmo on the day of class.
I don’t sell my pysanky. However, I do craft pieces on commission. If you would like a one-of-a-kind pysanka for your home, or as a gift, auction item, or fundraising donation (I also donate classes for fundraising), please email me via the button below.
Commission work
In pre-Christian times of Ukraine, the sun god was the most important of all the deities; birds were the sun god’s chosen creations as they were the only beings who could get close to him. the eggs the birds laid – a source of life – were considered to be magical objects.
FAQs
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Kids are often naturals at Pysanky!
I’m comfortable with kids attending class so long as parents or caregivers understand that we work with open flame and hot wax, and occasionally, things catch on fire, and eggs break. Pysanky classes are hours long — so if you know your kid can handle these conditions, I’m all for teaching this artwork to any age.
Please NOTE: As instructor, it helps me to know in advance if non-adults will be there. The rate is the same for adults and children, and parents need to supervise their young one while also learning.
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This is not your average Easter egg. At their most basic, Pysanky are art pieces. In honor of their heritage, Pysanky are cultural folk art and meditative expressions of the celebration of life, seasons, and even protective talisman. Eggs are either emptied and clean in advance, whole (raw) and emptied after the art is applied, or left whole (raw) to dry out naturally depending on the preference of the egg writer.
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Traditionally, Pysanky are dyed and designs/symbols/intentions written onto the dyed shell using melted beeswax. Advanced egg writers will sometimes apply dye to their designs with paintbrush or cotton swab, but Pysanky are written and dyed, not painted.
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For materials to make Pysanky (these are the businesses I buy from for my supplies):
For more information about the cultural heritage of the art form, these are websites worth exploring:
Gail Lambda’s piece for Martha Stewart Magazine
Luba Petrusha’s online respository of Pysanky as Folk Art of Ukraine.