We recently connected with Melissa Knight and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I have been a working artist since 2010. In 2017 I facilitated my first community project called “Interwoven Community Weaving Project” at my local Neighborhood Center – Rosewood-Zaragosa Neighborhood Center in East Austin. The project was supported by the City of Austin’s Cultural Arts Division, Awesome Foundation Austin & Bread for the Journey of Austin. The project consisted of a series of weaving workshops where community members of all ages weaved artworks together. The completed artworks were displayed in the neighborhood center with an exhibit during the East Austin Studio Tour.

As my first community project, Interwoven holds a special place for me. Since Interwoven, I have facilitated other community projects including The Community Quilt Mosaic Project, 2019 (co-facilitated with mosaic artist Ryah Christensen) and One Million Stars Texas, 2020 – present (this project is part of the global One Billion Stars, weaving stars for violence free communities). I recently completed a City of Austin Art in Public Places project “Harmonic Strings” with artist Rakhee Jain Desai at the Pharr Tennis Center. This project had a community engagement component which helped inform the final design.

Community art is now integral to my art practice and a large component of my work. I love facilitating community projects, engaging and connecting community members through making art together. Together we can do amazing things and make beautiful art!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I began working in batik (a wax-resist dye process) in 1993. I was invited to display one of my poems at a group art show. I wrote the words of the poem in wax on cotton fabric and dyed the fabric purple. The poem was displayed on a large fabric banner.

I have been experimenting and working in batik ever since. In 2010, I began working as a full time artist. In my art practice I make intricate collage designs, weavings, and wall hangings. I have recently been experimenting with pattern stamping as well as creating larger artworks that highlight the many layers of color in the batik fabric. I love the interplay between color, light and shadow.

Working in the studio is my happy place! When I am making the batik fabric or creating artworks, I feel more connected. Making art is a centering practice. There is something to the rhythm of making art that keeps me present in the moment. Of course there is so much more involved with being a working artist, but art making time in the studio is so precious and I savor every moment!

While there have been many rewards working as an artist, there have also been some challenges. The challenges mostly involve funding shortfalls, particularly for community projects. It takes a lot of work to get projects funded, but the benefits for community projects outweigh the challenges – collaboration, community engagement and connection, and simply making art together. I think that one of my greatest strengths working as an artist has been my quiet resolve and determination.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I think society in general should value artists and creatives more. Lack of consistent funding is one of the greatest challenges for working artists and creatives.

People can support artists by buying their work and/or sharing their work on social media. Countries that have stipends for their creative communities are on the right path to providing creatives with more consistent funding. My husband and I have a Patreon page (Blue Cow Studio) and the consistent monthly support from our community helps us immensely.

We need the arts! Support artists and creatives in your community.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Hands down, one of the most rewarding aspects for me being a community artist is connecting with community members! It is so special seeing people relax into making art and being creative! It makes all the work that goes into coordinating community projects worthwhile!

When I have time to make art in the studio, the daily stressors seem to disappear. That’s such a wonderful feeling!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.batikbydesign.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/batikbydesign
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/batikbydesign
• Other: www.onemillionstarstexas.net, www.instagram.com/onemillionstarstexas, www.facebook.com/onemillionstarstexas

Image Credits
Photo 1: Artist with Stars Wall Hanging
Photo 2: Domestic Distractions II
Photo 3: Harmonic Strings, Artists Rakhee Jain Desai & Melissa Knight
Photo 4: Interwoven Color Series
Photo 5: Inside Out Wall Hanging displayed in the studio
Photo 6: Peacock
Photo 7: Batik Stamped Privacy Screen
Photo 8: Domestic Distractions
Photo 9: Artist with Stage Fright artworks