Lengthy straggling wedges of Canada geese name to one another as they criss-cross our autumn skies. Funnily sufficient they aren’t all heading south, however wander right here and there to 1 sheltered bay or one other. On this time of avian migration, we thought you would possibly get pleasure from some cloth collage birds. These birds received’t be flying off to hotter climes although they appear like they might.
Inspiration for these chicken collages varies. Sylvie Aguilar’s goose is from an image she acquired in her electronic mail in-box. Cheri Artz’s neighbor photographed the elusive inexperienced heron. And Vickie Ostrow’s swan (element above) is from a portray by none apart from John James Audubon himself!
As chilly climate closes in right here within the Northern Hemisphere, perhaps it’s time to search out your inspiration. The lengthy darkish months are a good time emigrate to your studio for a season of creativity!
You should definitely click on on any of the smaller photographs under to enlarge for viewing and to then scroll by way of every gallery.
A reminder that every one my 2025 cloth collage courses—each in-person and on-line—are scheduled and (apart from one) open for registration. See the hyperlink for extra data, together with dates, charges, and descriptions.
2025 Stay On-line and In-Particular person Material Collage Lessons
Sylvie Aguilar
From Sylvie Aguilar of Acton, MA:
I began exploring cloth collage in 2018. After many hours spent on line, I discovered Susan’s weblog. I used to be blown away by this artwork kind. I bought many collage books, together with Susan’s, to attempt to study as a lot as I may. Her in particular person courses all the time full, I explored totally different strategies of material collage earlier than lastly getting a spot in one in every of her on-line courses in Could of 2021. I began Claudette in my second class with Susan, in September of 2021.
My inspiration for this artwork quilt got here from an image taken by Lisa Steele of Recent Eggs Day by day. Claudette is one in every of her goose that’s typically featured on her weblog. After contacting her, she graciously gave me permission to make use of her photograph.
The pre-class assembly with Susan is an effective way to arrange and get your venture in control so you can begin working with materials on day one. having an amazing sample is such an necessary a part of getting nice outcomes. Susan’s professional eye actually helps you see the place it is advisable put emphasis, which element is most necessary, methods to learn your photograph, and so on. Previewing your materials right now additionally offers you an opportunity to resolve for those who want one other run to the material retailer earlier than class begins. Studying to have a look at materials the best way Susan does is a superb asset.
Susan all the time counsel to begin with the eyes or nostril… so the beak was on the menu for day one. It appeared like I wasn’t making a lot progress however by the subsequent morning, it was finished. So many tiny items! Taking my time and being exact, was properly price it. I may glue the beak and transfer on to the pinnacle. Since I solely had one cloth with a feather design, I wanted to search out materials with motion that would give the impression of feathers. Swirls, wavy strains and totally different values of purple all performed a job in creating an phantasm of feathers and the very spherical and smooth elements of a goose physique. Probably the most tough half was the stomach. Creating an space with roundness entering into two totally different instructions is not any straightforward process. However with Susan’s strategies and plenty of re-takes, I’m pleased with the end result.
The collage a part of Claudette was finished by early 2022. The quilting was sadly delayed by small tasks and different courses I had signed up for, together with two extra courses with Susan. I quilted Claudette summer time of 2023 simply in time to enter her in a fall quilt present in VT the place she earned a Vendor’s Alternative Ribbon.
Neil Jackman
From Neil Jackman:
I had been engaged on a quilt of a macaw for about 18 months however was probably not pleased with the way it was progressing. After doing the 4 weeks of Susan’s periods I checked out what I had been doing, pulled all of it aside to see if I may modify or begin once more. The choice was made to begin once more with a brand new picture and with Susan’s phrases of the larger the higher I had the road drawing picture photocopied to the most important dimension I may. (a lot simpler to do that and hint onto the background cloth than hand drawing on a grid). It was then only a case of following the movies of every session and progress from there. I now have to begin to use the color and patterns within the cloth extra so have registered to do bugs and butterflies.
Cheri Artz
From Cheri Artz of Taylors, SC:
As I’ve shared earlier than, we reside on a lake in SC. We had a neighbor who was all the time taking probably the most beautiful photographs of birds and animals across the lake. When he died final 12 months, I felt like I needed to honor his reminiscence through the use of one in every of his many photographs that he shared freely with the neighbors. I selected this explicit photograph as a result of though we see blue herons often, the inexperienced heron is a bit more elusive, they usually have very lovely and fascinating colours. Relying on the sunshine, generally (as on this case) they aren’t even inexperienced. I bought caught twice within the course of of constructing it the place it languished on my desk: first with the feathers on the physique after which with the background. As soon as I lastly discovered the suitable materials, it got here collectively fairly rapidly. Every collage venture has its personal challenges and alternatives to study new issues. I proceed to be fascinated and impressed by all of the quilts that others do. Susan, you’ve got definitely touched a artistic nerve in numerous us. Thanks a lot to your educating and sharing what others do!!
Vickie Ostrow
From Vickie Ostrow of Kittery Level, Maine:
This quilt is predicated on a John James Audubon print on a Trumpeter Swan. My husband and I’ve had a framed copy of that print for a few years – a present from my parents-in-law – nevertheless it isn’t an “authentic.” I beloved the strains of the print, and I had been contemplating it as a collage topic for awhile, however I used to be hesitant to make use of it as a result of I had heard Susan clarify why it’s exhausting to work with white in a collage and make the topic look life-like. Then Susan began collaging a polar bear! I suppose that was what gave me the push I wanted to cease worrying about how tough it may be to collage one thing I needed to look white and to only bounce in.
I researched copyright questions and points till I knew fairly a bit about Audubon and made certain I may use the picture freely. Then I began studying about trumpeter swans.
My progress within the on-line class was gradual, not like the inimitable Grace, who was in my supportive group in the course of the class, however I settled in and have labored on the swan for many of the previous 12 months. I made progress, with Susan’s assist, studying methods to give some motion to giant areas of white, and I blended that with what I discovered about trumpeter swans to softly shade my swan to suit what I needed to attain. Susan generally sends college students a small bundle of material as inspiration to widen our decisions at first of a category, and a chunk she despatched to me turned the road the place the water meets the land within the background. I found out methods to proceed the chicken’s physique underwater, and I used extra tulle than I’ve ever used earlier than.
The swan now hangs over the hearth in our front room. It makes me really feel serene and but able to soar each time I see it.
