5 TO 7 DAY CLASSES

EXPRESSIVE DYE-PAINTING AND PRINTING WITH PROCION DYES
©Sue Benner 2009
5 days

Learn to paint with Procion MX and H dyes with bold expression and experimentation. 
This workshop will concentrate on direct application of dyes to the fabric surface using
various tools and techniques including mono-printing.  Emphasis is also placed on
developing sophisticated color combinations, personal marks, and layered surfaces. 
Sue will share helpful hints, technical information, and her own variations.

FLORAL ARRANGEMENT: Creating Fused Flower Quilts
©Sue Benner 2009
5 days

Beautiful flowers, concentric pattern, symmetry, block design, fusibles, using silks and
sheers, and lots of fun are all included in this class.  Learn Sue’s layered technique for
cutting, assembling, and arranging flowers as done in her extensive Flower Series art
quilts.  This class will give you the opportunity to use gorgeous fabrics and expansive color. 
Plus, this construction method can be applied to other designs.  Create a small study quilt,
then move on to a larger, more involved art quilt.

DRIVEN TO ABSTRACTION: Developing Abstract Imagery I
©Sue Benner 2009
5 days

The exploration of abstraction in the art quilt medium is the theme of this workshop, both representational and non-representational. 
Through exercises, slide shows, and individual discussions, Sue will present several methods for developing abstract imagery.  Each student will create a series of works based on source materials brought to class for inspiration.  Instruction on using fusible collage as a construction process will be presented, but the participant can also choose to work in her/his own technique.  This is a great class for pushing your personal work. (This class could be taken as a continuation of the 2-day QUILT FUSION: Renegade Construction workshop.)

EXPAND AND ABSTRACT: Developing Abstract Imagery II
©Sue Benner 2009
5-7 days, advanced

Expanding on the ideas presented in the workshop Driven to Abstraction, Sue continues the exploration of abstraction in the art quilt medium, both representational and non-representational.  This workshop is an independent study class with emphasis on working deeply in each participant’s area of interest and style.  The participants will develop one to three large works. 

Areas explored will be: Underlying structure of work
                                          Using source material for developing abstracted forms and images
                                          Role of message and meaning
                                          Relationship of process and image
                                          Digging into color, digging into value
                                          History of abstraction and a look at art quilts and their influences

Sue will meet with each artist individually to discuss her/his current work and portfolio.  Group activities are optional.  Instruction on using fusible collage as a construction process will be presented, but the artist is encouraged to work in her own technique.

3 TO 5 DAY CLASSES

SEWING THE LAND: Fused, Collaged and Quilted Landscapes
©Sue Benner 2009
4-5 days

Each participant will create at least two landscape quilts and possibly more. Participants will have time to move from small studies on up to larger works of approximately 24 x 48 inches wide. The class will study different approaches to representing landscape, including those of other artists. Sue will then show students how to look at the landscape, analyze it, and translate it to fabric using several fused construction methods to help them accomplish their goals.

Sue began making landscape images from raw edges, selvedges, and other odds and ends from scrap bags.  From there she has gone on to add other techniques and develop a large series of work inspired by wetlands in her childhood-home state, Wisconsin. 

COMPOSITION TRILOGY: Three Techniques for Fused Quilts
©Sue Benner 2009
3-4 days

Each day of this workshop is devoted to a different compositional challenge.  Day one explores squares and rectangles, day two experiments with curvilinear shapes, and day three deals with landscape. Using step-by-step directions, each student will make three small quilts (about 16” x 20”) using Sue’s fusible techniques.  Sue will also cover fusible basics and working with nontraditional fabrics.  By the end of this workshop experience, construction ideas will abound!

COMPOSITION QUARTET: Four Techniques for Fused Quilts
©Sue Benner 2009
4-5 days

Adds one more technique to COMPOSITION TRILOGY.

ART QUILT MASTER CLASS with Sue Benner
© Sue Benner 2009
5-7 days, intermediate to advanced

Imagine… five days of working on your personal art quest, surrounded by fascinating people, in a supportive atmosphere.  Woven into the studio work will be discussions on self-expression, developing constructive work habits, managing the artistic life and work, and the nature of our quilt work in a larger art context.

The structure for the week will be determined by the goals of the participating artists.  Sue has gathered writings on art, science, inspiration, design, and composition, to share and stimulate discussions.  The class will engage in constructive critique to further each participant along their personal path.

QUILT FUSION: Renegade Construction
©Sue Benner 2007

4-5 days, 2-day version also available
Can you see quilt composition in your mind, but do not know how to make it?  Or perhaps you are looking for a way to experiment with un-quilt-like fabrics.  Sue’s alternative construction techniques using fusibles were born of these notions, combined with a desire to use her dyed silks and other unruly textiles with more immediacy and spontaneity. She will demonstrate her techniques using an assortment of fabrics including cottons, silks, polyesters, sheers, and lovely scraps of all kinds.  After experimenting with the basics, the participant can choose structured exercises or more open-ended design work.  Sue will also show slides of her studio and working process.

1 TO 2 DAY CLASSES

SELF-PORTRAIT: The Artist as Quilt
©Sue Benner 2006
2 days

The self-portrait has long been a standard form of artistic expression.  By creating  an image of ourselves, we can explore our identities, motivations, and fears, among other things.  Gather up the photographs, journals, and sketches.  Bring a bag of fabric (with lots of meaning) and personal mementos.  Come and work it out.  The results can be fascinating and revealing.  The self-portrait can be realistic, symbolic, or abstract.

FUSING THE GRID: Variations on a Square Theme
©Sue Benner 2008
1-2 days

Create a series of several art quilts based on the grid.  Sue offers many ways to work with rectilinear design using fusible web.  This is a great workshop for developing new directions in color, working in a series, and experimenting with silk and other fibers.  These techniques and ideas that Sue teaches here are the real basis for all her work.  The resulting quilts can then be quilted in the class, FREE-MOTION MACHINE QUILTING: Chained Designs (below)

FREE-MOTION MACHINE QUILTING: Chained Designs
©Sue Benner 2007
1-2 days

Sue teaches her method of machine quilting with chained patterns on an underlying grid.  The participant can design original patterns based on these concepts as well as learn to quilt Sue’s designs.  These methods are systematic, create spontaneous color combinations, and fill space beautifully.  No outlining allowed here!  This is not machine quilting that imitates hand quilting--this is machine quilting that says “machine quilting is wonderful!"