I’ve a phrase for the time in a collage—or any challenge for that matter—while you’re far sufficient into it to make a multitude, however not far sufficient to see the sunshine on the finish. That’s the messy scary stage and it’s a given for the early phases of just about each material collage, together with my very own endeavors. It’s when that you must simply hold at it and have religion that it’s going to end up alright in the long run.
It’s one of many causes that week-long courses are a superb factor. I’ve my college students lengthy sufficient to get by way of the messy scary phases to the place they’ll search for from their collages, and smile. Within the photograph gallery beneath (click on on any photograph to enlarge your view and scroll by way of), there are splendidly messy scary collages in-progress, and flooring accumulating palettes of scraps. There are college students sharing their work (on a mirrored demo desk), and ones so immersed of their tasks they have been caught off guard after I had a digicam pointed of their route—however laughed at themselves and stated I ought to embrace the images on this publish anyway.
This class had numerous humor, visited and chatted with one another, exchanged numbers and, as I’ve heard, are retaining the category going by way of a messaging group since we parted two weeks in the past. One of many first messages to get handed round was the comedian, beneath left (very applicable as this group had a lot happiness). Our classroom regarded fairly empty and unhappy when everybody had packed up and departed, beneath proper.
Nevertheless, on the final day of sophistication, a plan got here collectively for a “Return to Bar Harbor” in September, 2025. Subsequent yr will truly be a brand new form of providing—two consecutive weeks with a weekend break in between. Identical location, similar college students, similar class—ten days dedicated to material collage. This yr’s college students have been enticed by the thought. Are you?
For those who’re a subscriber to my weblog, then you should have acquired my 2025 instructing schedule as a separate publish by way of electronic mail, instantly after this one. It accommodates dates and additional info for all of my subsequent yr’s courses—each in-person and on-line—together with the 2 week class in Bar Harbor, Maine, with MISA
Subsequent yr will probably be my third yr at this Maine campus. Right here’s final week’s Half 1 publish. Right here’s what the 2022 “Bar Harbor Inaugural” class was like. MISA’s different campuses are in Tucson, Santa Fe, and Madeline Island in Wisconsin. In April 2025, I will probably be returning to their Santa Fe campus for an additional week of sophistication. Info to register for that class will even be in at present’s second publish. For those who miss it, the posts are at all times out there from my web site at susancarlson.com.
You may click on on any of the smaller photograph galleries to enlarge after which scroll by way of to view.
Donna Konigsberg
Donna Konigsberg of Fairfax, Virginia, has been a presence in a lot of my on-line choices, however not any 5-day class, till now. It was such a pleasure to lastly get to fulfill and work together with her. She is a instructor herself, of kindergartners, and had a useful hand-clapping trick for when I discovered myself at a loss for find out how to get my very own class’s consideration! Donna has clearly been paying consideration in her material collage research—her purple pup got here collectively seemingly effortlessly, with a splendidly lolling tongue to go together with that glad coloration and character.
Barbara Grant
I’ve recognized Barb Grant of Pacific Grove, California, for years and years. She’s been my scholar on and off, however principally a superb good friend. She’s been telling me of her “Flutter-by’s” for fairly awhile, however I lastly obtained to see these fantastically detailed little specimens when she introduced them to show-and-share at school (above, and once more beneath). For Barb’s in-class topic she discovered a design (used with permission) of one other artist’s paper-collaged rooster. This time Barb is working with excessive distinction black and white materials, and simply touches of coloration. Her feathered fellow is growing fairly a character to crow about. 😉
Barb Grant’s Present and Share Cloth Collage Paintings
Barb’s Flutter-by’s are such an inspiration to play with our materials—rearranging their colours and patterns to create distinctive and eccentric creatures.
Julie Valentine
Julie Valentine of Backyard Metropolis, Kansas, traveled to Tucson to take one other MISA class with me in January of this yr. There, she impressed me with how she interpreted her mostly-black canine with refined accents of coloration right here and there from patterns in her materials. On this Maine class she had a form of “magical realism” going with how she cuts out and works with finer prints of florals and vines for the contours and values of one other particular pet.
Julie Valentine‘s Present and Share Cloth Collage Paintings
Lynne Lott
Lynne Lott of Hamilton, Virginia, selected a photograph of her “Ellie,” based mostly on her fur-baby’s goofy expression—and he or she nailed it already. As you have a look at the in-progress images beneath, Ellie appears to emerge from the muse material—step-by-step—with every colourful facial characteristic added.On this photograph, you possibly can see how Lynn assembles a watch on a separate mini-pinning board—usually a extra snug angle for working. She’s additionally using an excellent use of patterns from her materials to present a whimsical aptitude to Ellie’s lovely eyes.
Stacey Starr
Stacey Starr from Jupiter, Florida, has a daughter who likes to journey and take images—the giraffe photograph that Stacey is working from is one among them. Her daughter additionally has a factor for lengthy eyelashes. For those who take word within the images beneath, the giraffe’s nostril and face could also be morphing and merging in coloration and materials, however she at all times has (and apparently, at all times WILL have) fabulous eyelashes. Stacey is doing a really good job utilizing her material patterns so as to add visible texture, such because the ridges of highlights on both facet of the bridge of the giraffe’s nostril.
Sylvie Aguilar
Sylvie Aguilar from Acton, Massachusetts, has been in a couple of of my courses—each in-person and on-line—and has develop into a good friend as properly. She loves coloration and units herself studying challenges and objectives for every of the animals she has collaged. For this sheep, she needed to work with clear and vivid colours, making the ewe as diverse in coloration as doable.Earlier than she met Barb at school, Sylvie had already named her yet-to-be-started sheep, Baaaa-brah. The true Barbara could look a bit skeptical, nevertheless it’s extra about me asking to take a photograph of all three of them collectively. In any other case, Barbara stated she was happy to share her title with Sylvie’s creation. Baaaa-brah is the second of 4 barnyard animal portraits that Sylvie has deliberate. Mooo-nique (pictured each above and beneath) was the primary, created within the 2022 Bar Harbor class.
Sylvie Aguilar‘s Present and Share Cloth Collage Paintings
Dawn, Morning Walks with Espresso, Out of doors Cafes, and a Rescued Cat in Bar Harbor
I feel many of the images beneath will probably be self explanatory sufficient, being out and concerning the downtown of Bar Harbor. Nevertheless, the man pictured between Barb and I is Irv, her husband, an excellent man and fairly enjoyable to be round. The cat on the very finish, was scooped up from a busy highway because it ran to us on our morning stroll—then stored secure for a couple of hours till reunited with their individual. All-in-all, good recollections to complete up our week collectively.
