Adam de Boer's Batik Studio in Los Angeles

In the 345th installment of Hyperallergic's 'A View From the Easel,' Los Angeles-based artist Adam de Boer discusses his studio practice. De Boer creates lush scenes on canvas using Indonesian batik-dyed fabric, which he waxes and boils himself. His studio is a storefront in northeast Los Angeles, where he has worked for five years. He arrives by 8:30am, spends 30-45 minutes on correspondence, then works 10 hours on batik paintings with a teatime break. His process involves stages: drawing, waxing, color staining, boiling, and oil painting, with each piece stretched and unstretched four times. He works in groups of four or five paintings for exhibitions. The studio's location influences his subject matter, often depicting the neighborhood. He paints exclusively in natural light, which viewers compliment for color accuracy. De Boer shares the space with his wife, Leah Ring, owner of Another Human, a furniture and interior design firm. Neighboring artists include Antonia Pinter, Chase Biado (A History of Frogs), Spencer Lewis, Caitlin Lonegan, and Tala Madani. He appreciates ample street parking, no stairs, and two large north-facing windows. He wishes for traffic signals instead of stop signs, and access to outdoor space and a water spigot for boiling wax at home in Altadena. His favorite local museums are The Huntington Library and Art Museum and the Geffen Galleries at LACMA. His favorite material is melted beeswax.