For the sake of organizing an online class, we (Tom and I) usually divide a class into breakout rooms, where as they work, they discuss among themselves what their group’s name will be. It’s always a fun moment for Tom and I when new names are revealed. Today you will meet the “P’s in a Pod Plus One.”
The members of this week’s P’s in a Pod Plus One (named after their subjects: People x 2, Porcupine, Pig—and a Roseate Spoonbill) are made up of Liz Imperato, Becky Manske, Linda Draft, Sylvie Aguilar, and LeahGrace Kayler, all of whom have taken at least one class with me before. They knew what they were doing for sure and I think you’ll agree that the progress they made was evidence of that fact. Liz Imperato even finished quilting one of the two portraits of her surfer-boy son (photo above) soon after class ended!
In last week’s post, we featured “The PeeWee Pride.” If you missed seeing the colorful critters created by that talented group of women, check them out here.
As with all my classes, the resources students have to draw on beyond my in-class feedback included the Fabric Collage Master Class. Recently updated and now available as a subscription, the Master Class provides guidance for all aspects of the technique, from choosing fabric to finishing and hanging—pre-class, during class, and whenever needed after class.
Now, time to share the in-progress work of the remaining five women of this very fun class. Thank you all for a great week—you inspire me, as well as others, with the time and dedication you give to your art. Following each person’s classwork photos are their “Show and Share” photos from our mid-week after-class evening together—including shots of their increasingly “messy” studios—which in my mind translates to “productive.” 😉 Enjoy!
Click on any small image below, to see it larger and to scroll through that gallery grouping.
Sylvie Aguilar
Sylvie joined us from Massachusetts—her goal for the week was to set aside the brighter saturated colors she usually works with and challenge herself to work with paler pastel colors, especially pinks, for her newest barnyard portrait. As you’ll read in Sylvie’s story below, things can significantly change in the course of a week’s class!
From Sylvie:
I decided a while back to do a barnyard series that would include a cow, sheep, pig and horse or donkey. This is #3 of the series.
I will never work with pastels again!!! All of my work up to now has been made with strong vibrant colors. Working with pastels for this one ended up being a major struggle. So much so, that on day 3, I decided to start over completely. I just could not feel it in my gut. It made it very difficult to make any kind of progress that I was happy with. Lesson learned. Follow your gut feeling or intuition. And don’t be afraid to start again. It made all the difference for me. In 2 days, I was able to make great progress because I was feeling it. Oink-tavia and I were happy again.
Sylvie Aguilar Show and Share
Linda Draft
Linda joined us from Wisconsin—her goal for the week was to get a good start on what she knew would be a memorable yet difficult subject—to make it “recognizable, colorful, and fun.” Her “Girdwood (Alaska) Gal” would be a challenge for anyone, but Linda jumped in and “stuck” with this porcupine, getting Girdwood’s face and paws in place—with just a few more quills to go.
From Linda:
I took the picture of the porcupine while on a trip to Alaska. We went on an excursion to the Wildlife Conservancy Center and it was there that I saw the porcupine and she ‘posed’ for a photo I really liked.
Perhaps because teaching was my profession, I think I can recognize excellence in teaching. (But I might be biased. ???? ) Susan is one of the most insightful, patient, thorough, PATIENT (how many times did she draw that nose and chin – and yet I took a long time to get it) and has an excellent grasp of how to bring a student along in their journey (Bird by Bird). And TOM – kept everything moving forward, was also excellent in solving our glitches and I loved when Susan asked him his perspective on the work being reviewed. He obviously has a talent for anatomy and recognizing where a student is struggling as well. You two make a great team.
Linda Draft Show and Share
Liz Imperato
Liz joined us from California—her goals for the week were to have fun with her first collage of a human face, to go slowly and to work with values to create form (as opposed to relying on changes of color). Well, as you’ll see below, except for “go slowly,” she did a fantastic job working with values in both portraits of her son—and it seemed like she also had fun.
From Liz:
This quilt “Surfer Boy” was started in Susan Carlson’s online zoom class. It is a picture of my son when he was 10 and it reminds me of him surfing as a child. Those were especially good times.
I chose the subject of my Collage because I wanted to learn how to make a human face with fabric and the photo of my son brought back lots of memories.
Liz Imperato Show and Share
LeahGrace Kayler
LeahGrace joined us from Florida, and was only able to attend the class for three days—her goal for those days was to create a background for her gorgeous (previously collaged) roseate spoonbill. She specifically wanted to use a variety of values with her colors to “deepen the look of the piece.” (I love the photo LeahGrace sent us, below, of her becoming her quilt subject!)
From LeahGrace:
I live in Florida for part of the year. The spoonbill is my favorite Florida bird, not only for its grace and majesty, but also for all that it symbolizes in various cultures – transformation, hope, sensitivity, self-acceptance, stillness…
This is a wonderful class, very supportive – Susan meets you wherever you are on your learning curve, beautifully creative, and a lot of fun. You will be amazed at what you accomplish as you find your inner artist. I learn something new with every collage I make. It’s been a fantastic journey!
LeahGrace Kayler Show and Share
Becky Manske
Becky joined us from Wisconsin, and her goal for the week was to, “get a good grasp” and good starts on both her granddaughter and beloved pup’s faces. This is Becky’s third portrait of a child, and this one seemed to flow beautifully out of her from the very start—learning so much with each piece she creates—which is another good goal.
From Becky:
My granddaughter Brynna wanted a dog. Her mom did not, so we got her stuffed dogs for her special days. One day she opened the present and was frustrated at getting a stuffed dog cause she wanted a real dog. She looked at her mom and said “I want one with blinking eyes!”—as she blinked her own eyes. Mom finally gave in a few months later and surprised her with Roxy. They are now best friends and Brynna has plans to be a Veterinarian one day.
Becky Manske Show and Share
February 6, 13, 20, 27, 2025 — 7 pm, Eastern Time
Fantastical Fabric Collage Fish Zoom Follow-Along
REGISTER HERE
Price: $78
If you had trouble registering earlier, please know that the issue has been resolved.
Sign up any time this month and receive any recordings you may have missed
and attend remaining sessions live.
For more information click here
BONUS VIDEO: February 2025 Fish Follow Along Highlight
How do you know when it’s time to glue? One hint is when you run out of pins. Another, as in the case below, is when the pins start getting in your way. This video demonstrates how I tack things in place with glue in order to secure my collage as I work—and to free up pins so I can add more fabric!
ALL 2025 LIVE ONLINE CLASSES ON SALE
Openings in Our Next Live Online Intermediate-Advanced Class
March 10-14, 2025
We still have availability in our March Live Online Class. This class is held via Zoom and is for those who have some experience with my method of Fabric Collage. Please see registration details below.
See this blog post for details of 2025’s Live Online Classes and links to Live Online Classes. Peruse more “(Not) On the Road” online class posts here.
March 10-14, 2025
Live Online Class—Intermediate-Advanced—class size maximum 8 students
Maximum Class Size: 8
Price: $1,495 $1,295
To Register: This class is for students at the intermediate or advanced level. You should have a grasp of the fundamentals of fabric collage before starting this class, preferably through taking a prior class with Susan, or having worked through the Master Class or other eWorkshop. Please submit your request to register to Tom (tom@tomallenbooks.com) and he will send you the link to register or ask for further information. Thank you.
Other 2025 Live Online Classes
June 23-27, 2025
Live Online Class—All Levels, Animals Only
REGISTER HERE
Maximum Class Size: 12
Price: $995 $895
November 17-21, 2025
Live Online Class—Intermediate-Advanced
Maximum Class Size: 8
Price: $1,495 $1,295
To Register: This class is for students at the intermediate or advanced level. You should have a grasp of the fundamentals of fabric collage before starting this class, preferably through taking a prior class with Susan, or having worked through the Master Class or other eWorkshop. Please submit your request to register to Tom (tom@tomallenbooks.com) and he will send you the link to register or ask for further information. Thank you.