As the Dog Days of Summer continue, we’re going to chill out with some cool critters such as LeahGrace Kayler’s tranquil zebras, above. See more peaceable beings—a languid roseate spoonbill, a leisurely iguana, and a placid pooch—in today’s blog post.
In combination with last week’s post, these two posts not only close out the Dog Days of 2025, they introduce you to my latest class and the fantastic and fanciful fabric collage work that was created by this group of very talented women.
5-Day Live Online Class—June 2025
This week we bring you the in-progress fabric collage classwork of: Donna Cook, LeahGrace Kayler, Liz Imperato, and Laura Larsen. “Show and Share” photos from our mid-week after-class evening together are included as well. Enjoy!
As you view this post, click on any smaller image to see it larger and to scroll through each gallery grouping.
If you’re looking to increase your fabric collage skills, I have several opportunities coming up, including another Live Online Class in November 2025. For more information, visit my teaching schedule, or you can contact Tom.
Bella Luna—Final Session is next Thursday, August 14
There’s still a chance to attend my Fly On the Wall: Studio Watch Summer Series—a fanciful moon portrait, Bella Luna. If you sign up any time during the July-August series, you will receive links to any previous recordings of all four sessions. Click here for more information about my Fly On the Wall—Bella Luna learning opportunity.
Donna Cook
Donna joined us from North Hampton, New Hampshire—her goal for the week was to celebrate her recent retirement with the color pink! A second goal was to create a first draft of an appropriately pink-colored roseate spoonbill. Donna (as you would expect) has lots of large pink petaled flower print fabrics on hand to create layers of fluffy feathers to finish up that first draft—a great way to start her retired life—congratulations!
From Donna:
I retired in May after 19 years as a tax manager for a renewable energy company and I wanted the subject for Susan’s class to be something joyful and something that I loved. I love all things pink, girly, and unusual and I took one look at the Spoonbill on Istock and knew that was my project for this class.
He’s still a work in progress but all those pink fabrics are are glorious to play with and I’m looking forward to completing the collage and hanging him up in my home.
Donna Cook Show and Share
LeahGrace Kayler
LeahGrace joined us from Massachusetts—her goal for the week was to get a good start on an ambitious project. Zebras as collage subject matter are chosen every-so-often, but I don’t remember anyone approaching the seemingly endless line-up of stripes with such calm anticipation as LeahGrace has. A serene look comes over her face as she shares her steady progress on these beautiful portraits.
From LeahGrace:
I love the photo I found of this special zebra pair and have wanted to make a collage of it for a while now. Even though it looks very complex, I find doing the stripes relaxing.
Each stripe has a structure, but within that structure, I can be creative as to color and form.
I’m learning even more about values and blending.
I especially appreciate all the different ways that Susan and Tom offer to support me in my work, from an online class to online coaching, to Patreon participation. So happy to be part of this lovely community of artists!
LeahGrace Kayler Show and Share
Liz Imperato
Liz joined us from Santa Barbara, California—her goal for the week was to follow though on a request from her husband for an iguana collage, which as you can see below was a goal she achieved shortly after class ended! Liz works big and bright and always brings such exuberant color and energy to her artwork—so inspiring in so many ways.
From Liz:
I had so much fun with this quilt because I was able to use bright vivid colors from fabric I found online and from a friend.
I got the idea to make an Iguana from one small piece of fabric that reminded me of scales you would see on an Iguana.
Liz Imperato Show and Share
Laura Larsen
Laura joined us from Logan, Utah—her goal for the week was to get started on a portrait of Maynard, her son Brady’s “smiling dog.” Against all odds, she did get a good start, even with an unexpected need for 15 family members (mostly grandchildren) to stay at her house for the summer! Laura has a great smile and her priorities are clear. Maynard took a back seat, but Laura will be ready to roll when she has her own space again in October. I look forward to seeing Maynard come to life.
Laura Larsen Show and Share
Laura also shared a photo of her grandchildren’s creativity, below.
See last Saturday’s blog post for more amazing fabric collage art by my spectacular students in—Fabric Collage (Not) On the Road: June 2025 Live Online Class Part 1. Be sure to check it out!