On moving to Malaysia with my husband, I found myself with lots of free time. After a couple of one-day courses in batik, I saw Sam's advert and joined his classes. That was over two years ago and now I am completely addicted. Having a history of working in textiles, I had the impression that batik was just a method of decorating fabric. How wrong could I be? Sam's lessons and technique have taught me how batik can be used as a pure art form, and it has so many diverse and creative possibilities. Through his enthusiastic and patient tuition, I hope to begin a new carrier in batik when I return to the U.K., and teach many more people hope to appreciate it. Thank Sam.

Allyson Bulmer ( BA hons. Textile Design) - United Kingdom

Since small I always wanted to paint. When I saw the information about Sam's Fine Art Batik centre, I didn't hesitate to enroll for the lesson. I have learned a lot from his teaching of different batik techniques, colour control, value, and composition. Art can be learned, if you want it specially with Sam's teaching techniques.

Motoko - Japan

“I am a qualified Transport Planner, and Fine Art Batik was new to me when I started a year ago.  It has been an enjoyable experience.  I have learnt many different techniques involved in Batik painting, from a simple outline waxing to an advance level.  Based on many years of experience, experiments, and research, Sam has developed his own unique technique beyond the traditional Batik.  Sam is not only a talented artist, but also a gifted teacher who has his own style of teaching methods that enabled me to paint in Batik.  I have developed my own Batik painting skill, and I look forward to sending some paintings back to Germany.”

Silvana Redler - Germany

“Batik I thought was just the cultural design used on dresses in Malaysia, until I came to know about the artist Sam Karuna and his Fine Art Batik centre through a fellow teacher at Japan’s School of Kuala Lumpur. I have just started learning Batik painting, and it’s a real art like any other painting medium.  I have learned to paint in oils and watercolour in Japan, but painting on Batik is totally different.  The colours in batik painting when painted, spreads so naturally leaving beautiful tones on the subjects.  I hope to learn most of the techniques Sam has developed and look forward to introducing it to the Japanese art lovers when I return home.”

Shiba - Japan

“I have never painted any form of art before, and I was introduced to Sam’s Fine Art Batik centre by my friend.  I gave it a try, and completed my first painting with the expert guidance from Sam. I could not believe myself that I could actually paint!  From then on, I tried different subjects.  A painting by a Japanese artist inspired me once. I made a bold attempt on the same subject in Batik, and amazingly, the result was fantastic and great.  I always look forward to Sam’s class which I attend.”

Sato - Japan

In June 1997, I joined Sam's Fine Art Batik centre. At the beginning my objective was just to learn the technique involved in Batik, but after getting to know him as a great artist and his teaching method, I realized that there is much more to the process than just learning the technique, it is a way of expressing feeling and ideas in a very magical process that has allowed me to explore and experiment. It makes me feel great to paint Sam's class has always been a very positive experience for me. The relaxing atmosphere and his dedicate attention to the students invite you to enjoy his art class. Thanks Sam, for the memorable experience and the wonderful memories of the painting I have done in your class.

By Silvia Cooper - Argentina.

“I have been a student of Sam Karuna’s for about a year now.  Sam is an excellent teacher and is very patient with his students.  Batik painting is a time consuming process and it involves many different techniques.  With Sam’s highly skilled teaching methods and creativity, I would recommend him to anyone wanting to learn Fine Art Batik painting.”

Debra Parry Burton - Australia

“Batik painting class with Sam Karuna has been fascinating, enjoyable, and a memorable one during my stay in Malaysia. For starters, I have never painted before.  After meeting up with Sam, through his encouragement, I took it as a challenge and began lesson in Batik painting.  I did encounter difficulties in the beginning, but with Sam’s patience and kind teaching, I managed to finish my painting.  After the first painting, I tried different subjects.  It’s astonishing the various techniques differ on every subject. It’s rather sad that I had to return to Japan.  I had six enjoyable months with Sam’s painting classes, and I regret I should have started much earlier.  I would have painted more and learned more because Sam is a great teacher.”

Nishigima - Japan

“It’s already seven months since I started Sam’s Fine Art Batik class.  I have never missed any lessons and I can’t wait to attend the next class, because I’m engrossed with excitement at my achievements in Batik painting. Sam’s instruction is conducted in a step-by-step and easy to follow method.  He’s encouraging and very patient with his students.  Whenever I finish a painting, I can’t believe my creativity.  It has opened my eyes and ability to paint in Batik. Thanks Sam!”

Sandra Toffale Erico - Italy

I am a school teacher in Japan, I learn Fine Art Batik under the guidance of the artist Sam Karuna. Batik is a traditional art of Malaysia. It's one of my valuable and memorable moments of my stay in Malaysia. Sam's teaching is very well organized and easy to followed.

Now in Japan, I enjoy teaching batik paintings to my students. I am proud to recommend Sam to anyone interested in Fine Art Batik.

Kato - Japan