Compelled to create
story by Kim Walker
In 2006, when Doris Thurber and her teenage daughter moved into a 100-year-old house in a Frankfort historic neighborhood, she already was part of the artistic community.
She had been involved in the Kentucky Arts Council and had been commissioned by the public library to create batik art for it's new building.
Through the Kentucky Foundation for Women, Doris received grants to teach teens and residents of the local women's shelter, where she has played a pivotal role since 2009.
A large batik illustrating women entwined in a tree hangs in the shelter.
"This symbolizes her philosophy," says director Josie Kirker touching the fabric. "The idea (is) that women are connected to the earth and interconnected to each other. It's what she believes – that it takes a village to raise a child and a vision to make a shelter work."
Batik is was-resist dyeing applied to cloth using a tool called a canting.
Although Doris has a studio art degree from Kentucky State University, her primary art form was self-taught.
It began 23 years ago, when her sister returned from Thailand with a souvenir batik tool. Intrigued, Doris learned the technique from library books, then experimented on a huge piece of fabric. Her art has found a home in many downtown Frankfort buildings, including shops, studios, a soup kitchen and even the Grand Theatre, where 14-foot batik panels hang on stage behind individual musicians whenever Stirfry, a local band, performs.
Last February, when her only child, Maya, died at age 22, Doris holed up all winter and found solace in art.
"It saved my day, connecting me with her," Doris says.
She began collecting, cutting and layering pictures associated with her daughter. One day she voiced confusion to a friend about her need to create.
"(The friend) told me, 'Your life got blown up. Collage makes perfect sense – you're trying to put the pieces back together."'
And Doris is still creating collages.
An exhibit on display at the Vibrant Life shop became a memorial to Maya. Her first batik attempted since Maya's death is displayed among the collages. The piece depicts a female flying, a tribute to her daughter.
Doris relaxes on her couch surrounded by pictures and quotes people have written on her walls. The Frankfort artist has her work displayed in many downtown buildings.
Doris brushes leftover paint onto paper used for extracting wax during the batik process. It becomes gift-wrapping paper that sells for $1 in downtown shops.
The wall surrounding Doris' special place includes quotes people have written, her own batik work and a photo of her daughter Maya.
Doris walks with a laundry basket past batiks hanging on her bedroom doors.
Doris sends an email on her computer while her black cat sits on the couch.
Doris talks on the phone while sitting at her studio art table in her home.
Doris walks with laundry past batiks hanging on her curtains.
Doris takes a nap in her bedroom, which was painted by one of the troubled teens who lived with her in the past. The artwork was painted by a friend.
Batik art hangs on a wall in Doris' cavelike bedroom with a lion's face hiding in the shadows. "She's a calming face to wake up to," Doris says.