The alternate waxing and dyeing of cloth has been practiced as a folk art for ages. Helen Carkin, Professor Emerita at Cal State University, Chico, took a Textile Art into the realm of Fine Art.

Originally trained as a scientific illustrator, Helen earned a bachelor's degree at the University of Minnesota and her master's degree in education from the University of Nevada. She moved to Chico in 1958 to teach in the education department at California State University, and in 1988, she retired as professor emerita.

Because sunlight can be harmful to any artwork, Helen Carkin obtained special permission from the county to build her private home gallery without windows. Her batiks are so lifelike that they literally fool the eye. A shimmering golden-orange hibiscus suspended on a jet black background is one of many of her flower series. Other of her favorite themes include lush scenes of Kauai, which the viewer might mistake for subdued color prints, and rustic turn-of-the-century homes and buildings in the California Gold Country.

Batik was not Helen's only artistic outlet. She also published several books in the historical and artistic fields and in 1968 produced a 16 mm. film about teaching art to mentally handicapped children.

Helen loved sharing her batik secrets with art students. Her classes and art exhibits took her as far west as Kauai, north to Alaska, down the coast to the Monterey Peninsula College, and east to Georgia Southern State College

An award-winner in numerous prestigious exhibitions nationwide, Helen also had many solo shows. Her memberships included the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Clary/Miner Gallery, California Arts League, Oregon Coast Council for the Arts, Pioneer Arts and Valley Art Association.