'Can Can' by Sandra Grassi Nelipovich, 1981, Batik, Woman Artist, Art Institute of Chicago, Florence, French Dance

Description

Signed lower right, 'Sandra Grassi Nelipovich' (American, born 1938) and dated 1981. Artist business card on original frame backing with … more Signed lower right, 'Sandra Grassi Nelipovich' (American, born 1938) and dated 1981. Artist business card on original frame backing with title, 'Can Can'.

A complex, multi-figural batik showing can-can dancers performing on stage in an interior with women descending a staircase and numerous patrons seated at cafe-style tables.

Born in Oak Park, Illinois, Nelipovich graduated from the University of Illinois where she majored in Art Education. She subsequently did graduate work in Italy, at Northwestern University's Florence campus and, also, at the Art Institute of Chicago, where she first studied the art of Batik.

While teaching in the Oak Park schools, Sandra began doing batiks on silk. When she and her husband moved to California, she took up the full-time practice of batiks.

Using a modern approach to the traditional techniques of Batik, Sandra fashions fanciful works of art that have a unique primitive feeling. The batiks are done in the traditional manner, by dipping each piece in dye between each waxing. The intricate designs and many colors are created through a long process of numerous dye baths and waxings. She does her art work in batches consisting of several different sized pieces. As one batch is drying from their dye baths, she will be working on another.

Using this approach, Sandra is typically able to do three dye baths a day. Her smaller pieces take a week to ten days to complete, while a major piece can take three to four weeks. After each work is completed, the wax is ironed off and the finished piece is mounted on acid-free museum board.

Nelipovich has exhibited in galleries and shows in Northern and Southern California, Arizona, Hawaii, Illinois, and New Jersey her work is also held in private and public collections nationwide. She is listed in Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in the West, Who's Who in California and Who's Who of American Women. She has also been accepted into International Leaders in Achievement and is featured in the 2nd Edition of the California Art Review, National Artists Network, Artists of Southern California and Batik for Artists and Quilters.

Education:
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education, University Illinois, Champaign/Urbana, 1961. Postgraduate, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 1963. Postgraduate, Gonzaga University, Florence, Italy, 1966. Postgraduate, Art Institute Chicago, 1968. Diploma (honorary), Accademia Universale Alessandro Magno, Prato, Italy, 1983.

Career
Teacher art Edgewood Junior High School, Highland Park, Illinois, 1961-1962, Emerson School Junior High School, Oak Park, 1962-1977. Batik artist California, since 1977. Illustrator Jolly Robin Publication Company, Anaheim, 1988—2001, Assistance League of Anaheim, since 2000. Supervisor student teachers, Oak Park, 1970-1975. Adult education teacher English as Second Language, ceramics, Medinah, Illinois, 1974. Member curriculum action group on human dignity, Equal Employment Opportunity workshop demonstration, Oak Park, 1975-1976.

Guest lecturer: Muckenthaler Center, Fullerton, California, 1980, 92, Niguel Art Group, Dana Point, California, 1989, Carlsbad A.A., 1990, Art League, Oceanside Art Group, 1992. Second vice president Anaheim Hills Women's Club, 1990-1991, recording secretary 1991-1992. Fabric designer for fashion designer Barbara Jax, 1987. Illustrator Assistance League Anaheim (California), since 2000, American Speech and Hearing Association Publications, 2008. Muralist Lincoln School Illinois, 2002-2003.

Achievements
Sandra Grassi Nelipovich has been listed as a notable artist by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership
Active Assistance League, Anaheim, California, since 1992, Second vice president ways and means committee, 1995—1996, 1997—1998, Second vice president ways and means, 2004—2005, 2005—2006, historian, 2002—2010, Anaheim Arts Council, since 2002, since 2004. Chairwoman Arturo Toscanini Guild Orange County Performing Arts Center, 2006—2009. Member American Association of University Women (hospitality chairman 1984-1985), Society Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Assistance League Anaheim, Orange Art Association (jury chairman 1980). less