It’s Spring. Over the course of a week spent with six amazingly talented women, Spring arrived to my town in Maine. Our snow-covered field became bare and a bit water-spongey. Our gravel driveway took on the ruts of mud-season, complete with the foot prints of both humans and canines as we ventured out on our morning walks. And then there’s the birds—the bluebirds started casing out their houses, the red-winged blackbirds returned, and the woodcock began to “dweeb.” I upped my attention to keep as many birds as happy as I could during the prior weeks of frigid temperatures and piling up snow. Sunflower seeds, suet, dried fly larvae, popped popcorn, cooked grains and beans, fresh water in the heated bird-bath. And the birds have been, and still are, appreciative.
It was handy that my teaching day didn’t start until 10 am Eastern time so I could complete my bird-rounds before beginning class. Inside my studio, I got to immerse myself in color that has not yet arrived outside—such as in the bright and fresh greeting from “Homer” (photo above), as his portrait by Mary McKay, happily emerged from the foundation fabric.
The collages you’ll see in this week’s post happen to all be family and friend oriented. Homer the dog was joined by his little girl Lucy—Grace Crocker’s dog Smokey (above left) happily provided seating for his little boy—and the legs of Dale Goldberg’s three nieces (above right) seemed to form organically with flowers and vines.
This class was geared toward who I consider intermediate and advanced in their knowledge of the fabric collage technique. They’re well beyond the basics of cutting and gluing and they’ve all been in classes with me before. What they do need from me is guidance and coaching, to ask the questions of what their vision is and how we can figure it out together, working to further develop their art.
My students seem to always develop friendships in class, whether in-person or live online, and most of these women already knew each other from earlier classes, though two were brand new to this online format. They followed along with me as I worked with each one in turn, sometimes asking their own questions and making their own observations, always being very supportive of each other.
Today I’ll be featuring three of these artists, the other three will be presented next Saturday. The inspiring work you see in these posts is the result of experience and practice. In the post below, view their in-progress quilts, read about their thoughts and ideas, and join me in the appreciation of their continuing achievements.
Following each person’s classwork photos are their “Show and Share” photos from our mid-week after-class evening together—including shots of their wonderfully increasingly messy and very productive creative spaces. Enjoy!
As you view this post, click on any small image to see it larger and to scroll through that gallery grouping.
If you’re looking to increase your fabric collage skills, I have several opportunities coming up, including another Live Online Class in June. For more information, contact Tom or visit this link. Or you can visit my teaching schedule for more classes.
Grace Crocker
Grace joined us from Chico, California—her goal for the week was to continue adding to her family album of impressive fabric collage portraits. This image is based on a photo taken long ago of her grandson and a very large and special dog—her and her husband’s second family dog. Their first dog, Sam, was Grace’s first fabric collage quilt in a class with me. This week’s collage quilt will be her 22nd collage quilt!
From Grace:
I seem to specialize in family memories with my collages. Anthony was always scurrying around and earned the nickname, Ant. He is my oldest great grandson and is now 30 years old. This picture of him sitting confidently on our Great Dane, Smokey, was fun to create in collage.
The black and grey dog was my challenge since I wanted to stay with realistic colors. With Susan’s help I was able to define muscles and color differentiations successfully. Class was, as always, a delightful experience.
Grace shared Smokey’s baby photos with us (below)—arriving home with her husband, and hanging out with ol’ dog Sam.
Grace Crocker Show and Share
Dale Goldberg
Dale joined us from Lansdale, Pennsylvania—her goal for the week was to “make legs”! And she did—all six wonderful, fantastical legs! You’ll read Dale’s story below, but her words of the week were: free-spirits, young, beautiful, woodland creatures.
From Dale:
Several years ago, 3 of my gorgeous nieces, all in their 20’s and 30’s, decided to do a photo shot of themselves. They all bought the same dresses, then ventured out to the grounds of an abandoned convent, with stone structures that had crumbled over time. They posed for themselves, using an iPhone to take their photos.
When I saw this particular photo, It made me think of forest fairies or nymphs, and there was a playful as well as sensual quality to the photo. I’d had the photo in mind for several years as the subject of an art quilt, and with this class, decided it take it on. The prospect of 6 legs/feet and 2 arms/hands felt very daunting, but I was confident Susan could guide me through.
Dale Goldberg Show and Share
Mary McKay
Mary joined us from Palm Desert, California—her goal for the week was to, “keep plugging away” on a portrait of a friend’s granddaughter, which was now going to include the little girl’s dog. Both Lucy and Homer have evolved in very fun and whimsical directions—Mary’s intensions from the very beginning of her newest collage of her colorful family and friends.
From Mary:
I wanted to collage a toddler and Lucy is the great granddaughter of a friend. I have known Lucy’s mom since birth. “Homer and Lucy” started out as simply Lucy. I thought about Lucy’s size, colors, and loosely about background. Lucy would have to be peeking around something. Eventually her dog, Homer, came to mind.
“Homer and Lucy” is based on 3 different photos, one of Lucy, one of the two of them in a different position, and one just of Homer, but where you can clearly see his eyes.
Mary McKay Show and Share
I have long admired your work and that of your students. I haven’t jumped in yet, but I keep thinking I will! I would be interested to know if it makes a difference if your base fabric, such as muslin, is ironed or not. Seems like the glue would take better with a flat surface.
Hi Jill! You should definitely jump in—nothing scary is gonna happen! Yes, begin with a fold-free foundation fabric. It won’t make a difference with the glue, just a nice non-bumpy “canvas” to start playing on. And if you don’t like ironing (I don’t), just spritz the folds with some water and they’ll relax right out of the fabric. A little “magic” to start your project. 😉