Carved with a modified dental drill, the ostsrich egg shell is relatively thick and has the look, feel, and sound of porcelain.
Also carved with a modified dental drill, the thin shell presents a real challenge!
The art of Ukrainian Easter eggs, or pysanky (pronounced pi-san-kee), is very old, steeped in tradition, and rich in symbolism. The technique is similar to batik. Molten beeswax is applied in a pattern or motif with a stylus called a kystka. The egg is then dipped into the lightest dye. The beeswax resists the dye. Additional patterns or motifs are written with wax and the egg is dipped into the next dye. This process is repeated using successively darker colors. The last color becomes the background color. The layers of wax are then melted off with a candle and the colors and designs are revealed. Traditionally, the eggs are not drained and eventually the contents dry. However, there is some risk that instead of drying, the contents will rot and the egg explodes.
Believing that there is merit in preserving tradition, and also in allowing freedom of expression for individual artists in a different time and circumstance, I use both traditional and modern design elements.
Dragonfly Ostrich Egg