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The Batik Studio

My daughter and I just returned from the vacation of a lifetime! We were lucky enough spend three weeks in glorious, beautiful Barbados, where my sister and her husband have purchased a retirement property and live for several months each year.

One day, we ventured off to the other side of the island to see a famous pottery shop called Earthworks. While visiting Earthworks, we also visited the Batik Studio and Gallery located on the same property. The Batik Studio consists of a store where one may purchase the beautiful batik paintings created by Artist Henderson Reece, and there's also an open-air workshop where one can watch Henderson create his art.

While we were there, Henderson was busy at work. He struck up a conversation with me and my 15-year-old daughter Jessie. When he learned that Jessie also loves to paint and draw, he invited her to return on the weekend and he would show her how to Batik and let her create her own batik painting. When we returned on Saturday, true to his word, Henderson gave Jessie the gift of his time, to show her how to create the artwork he loves.

Jessie decided to create a picture of a guitar to give to one of her music-loving friends. As creating Batik pieces is quite a lengthy process, (similar to painting Urkranian Easter Eggs, where the desired colours must be waxed-over to preserve each individual colour before applying the next darkest colour), Jessie didn't finish her piece that day. So Henderson invited us to return and spend another day with him at the studio.

Then, when we told Henderson that my sister had a business appointment on the proposed day and we would lack transportation, he offered to pick us up in the morning and take us to the studio. Jessie completed her work that second day, but not before other customers were asking to purchase it from her! She created a beautiful gift for her friend, but more importantly, Henderson provided her with a treasured memory of a very unique and special experience.

Henderson Reece is more than just a great artist, he is an inspiring, kind and positive role model for everyone he meets in his corner of the world. If you happen by the Batik Studio and Gallery, located in Edgehill Heights St. Thomas, Barbados, and see Henderson at work, please tell him that Leslee and Jessie from Nova Scotia say hi! And thank him for us :)