It was mid-March and I found myself preparing—as I have so many years before—for my annual pilgrimage to Asilomar to teach two sessions at Empty Spools. As I was packing my lime-green carry-on backpack, I discovered I had a stow-away. Studio cat Djinni had decided that I had already left her alone for far too many days this spring. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that it was only the beginning of my busy teaching season!
By now, returning to Asilomar is like old home week. The first couple days of each session I am constantly reacquainting myself with so many people, both students and colleagues. (To read about a few of my past trips to Empty Spools: Click Here.) Empty Spools is the largest seminar I attend. In Sessions Three this year there were ten other teachers (plus an artist in residence), most of whom I have at least met before, and more than a few of whom I consider good friends.
This year I had the first half-day free, so I and a few friends from Yellowknife, NWT, Canada, spent some time at the Monterey Aquarium. I have been there a few times before, but I never tire of the changing scenes and undulating creatures. I take a ton of photos thinking about future quilts I might make. People have done several octopuses in previous classes, maybe I have to do one of my own someday.
Aquarium Slideshow
It was rainy in Pacific Grove, and cooler than usual, so I didn’t get as many walks in as usual with my walking buddies. The rain proved we weren’t as hardy as we thought we were. Cold doesn’t stop us—it was warmer than Maine after all—though weirdly enough, one morning had a deceivingly thin layer of ice on the rain-slicked boardwalk path through the dunes which slowed us down a bit. Between the rain and the pace we set walking, I didn’t get quite as many scenic shots as usual.
Scenic Pacific Grove Slide Show
Session Three Class
But I was there to teach fabric collage, so eventually I had to show up to the classroom where my twenty-one (!) students were waiting.
Each class has its own feeling, its own unique character. What struck me about this class was their willingness to go big. Some still working on their drawings were asking how big to make their enlargements. I’d suggest one size and they’d ask, Could I go bigger? Well, yeah. Which is not typical.
I guess, I’ve said “go big” often enough that people are starting to expect that. Maybe it’s sinking in. The more people see it in the blog, the more prepared they are to do it themselves. Which is good. In case you haven’t heard me say it before, bigger is better because you have more area to play with fabric, and features and details are big enough to grapple with. It’s easier to maneuver than trying to deal with tiny little slivers of fabric.
Below is something I haven’t done before. When Linda Estrada unrolled a parrot design taller than herself, I decided it was a good picture opportunity. I took these photos on the last morning, featuring the drawn design on the left, and the in-progress quilt on the right. It made a nice finish to the class, giving a good sense of the progress they had made in just five days. There were lots of congratulations all around. (Click on photos below to view larger versions.)
Do not Disturb, the Mess!
During the class we put signs on the doors to the classroom: “Please Do Not Vacuum Floor.” Housekeeping gamely honored the request. I’m sure by the end of the week we had the messiest floor at Asilomar. I was very proud of my students.
Walkthrough
Each year on the last evening of the session, after the class day, everyone is given maps for the different classrooms and they walk around checking out what other people have done. This is a favorite feature for Empty Spools attendees, a great way to end the session, and a good way for students to choose which class they want to take next year.
Student Work Slideshow
You may recognize a few of these pieces from my previous blog post “Eye Spy: Using Novelty Prints in Fabric Collage.”
Next Saturday I’ll report on my second week at Empty Spools, Session Four, with 20 brand new students and their work to show off.
In Case You Missed It
The Susan Carlson Fabric Collage Online Master Class is now available.
Learn fabric collage on your schedule, in your home.
Wow, just amazing…thank you for sharing!!
Thank you for bringing all of us along on your trip to the beach and the aquarium….I’m so glad and thankful that wild places still exist….and that art was pretty cool, too!
Such a thoughtful reflection on all your activities. Asilomar will always be a dream for me, but I have my memories of your class at Woodland Ridge in Downsville, WI (the Asilomar of the Midwest!).
I knew you’d be sitting next to Pam Holland. . .Two women with humor, energy, a giving nature and the artist’s eye. I want to party with you guys!
Excuse me while I get back to my unfinished siamese flying fish!
Thanks for sharing. I could almost smell the fresh air at the beach. It reminds me that I need a vacation to a wild place.
Thank younfor sharing. I love the red dog and the emu, everything was fabulous.
Sue, thanks for sharing. Can’t wait to see next weeks post as that was my class. Enjoyed my class.
Inspires me to get back to working on my piece! Love Asilomar. Spent two weeks there this year myself!!! I love your pictures. Thank you so much for sharing!!!
Wow wow wow! I am well and truly green with envy. I want to be a part of creating that mess on the workshop floor! Such beautiful works in progress.
The pictures of the jellyfish were fantastic, too. I can’t wait to see what comes of those.
One thing I wonder if you’ll discuss more, on your blog, is more personal. I’m curious about how you manage eating vegan with your busy travel schedule. It was travel that ultimately turned my experiment with veganism into a failed effort. I just found it too difficult and the search for food became an enormous hassle. If you don’t want to get into that here, I get it. I just thought I’d throw the request it out, as I’m wondering what steps you take to follow your heart with suitcase in hand.