The art of decorating eggs has a Ukrainian history long antedating Christianity, but has become associated with Easter, when adults and children indulge their love of design and color in spectacular painted eggs. The designs reproduced in this book are described in detail, creating a veritable pysanky design encyclopedia by explaining and illustrating the fascinating symbolism of each traditional motif. Pysanky gift eggs can be made for newlyweds, for those embarking on new careers, for anyone in need of solace, for birthdays and anniversaries, and other occasions. Everyone can learn the creative arts and skills of this well-loved traditional craft.
GAIL PARSONS has created pysanky for more than twenty years, having learned the art from her father. In that time, she has taught and demonstrated pysanki in classroom setting and art shows. A reporter and feature writer for a daily newspaper, she has also published several magazine articles. Her writing has earned awards from the Kansas Press Association, the Kansas Professional Communicators and others, as well as the American Legion's Commander's Americanism Award. She now serves as the executive director for the Junction City Arts Council, Junction City, Kansas.
EMILY VIEYRA has exhibited at galleries and executed commissioned portraiture, drawings and paintings in a variety of media, primarily from life and her own photographs. Her current work, which includes hand-built stoneware pottery and sculpture, emphasizes subjects derived primarily from elements of Chicano mythology, as well as from classical Aztec-inspired motifs. Her professional experience includes news research, advertising, graphic design and special education. She is a native Kansan and holds a B.A. with Honors in English from the University of Kansas. She currently teaches expository writing at Kansas State University, as she works toward her Master of Arts degree in Creative Writing.
