Artist Jane Davies spent her first week with us and a full house of eighteen students using acrylic painting, collage techniques, and more to create beautiful and colorful abstract art.
As always, we’ll share a few of the images we captured here on our blog, but encourage you to also check out the full gallery on our Facebook page. You can also scroll back in our Instagram feed to see what we captured during the class and watch the video in our Facebook Video Library.
“Class was life enriching. I am thrilled to have spent time with Cynthia before she retired. This is the best environment in which to create!” – Cheryl K. “Cynthia has the ability to bring out our most creative self. This is a lovely inn. You make sure we are comfortable and well-fed, including afternoon cookies. The workroom/studio is excellent, wonderful light and super chairs.” – Sharon C.
It was a great week with Cynthia Corbin as she taught a 5-day workshop to a full house of students. We even “ordered up” a little snow to the delight of our 3 Californians! The students all said they had an amazingly productive week and I only wish I had had the opportunity to stop in the studio to take more pictures. 
Except for the one day of light snow, we had some gorgeous Fall weather and there was still plenty of colorful leaves to enjoy. 
Cynthia gave a nice presentation about her work and inspiration after dinner one of the nights. 
A bit of snow on Wednesday! 
Linda Kemp was here last week getting her students to let loose their inner “mad scientist.” The medium was acrylics and the subject was negative painting techniques and strategies.
“Linda definitely exceeded my expectations! She was well organized, articulate, and made the workshop exciting & challenging!!” – B Wickham
This is one of Linda’s demo pieces. 
Valerie S. Goodwin R.A. is an architect and artist who creates fiber art inspired by realistic and abstract imagery of maps. Her work is noted for its use of color, emphasis, and line and density.
We look forward to welcoming Valerie to the Hudson River Valley Fiber Arts Workshops December 4 to 10, 2016: she will teach The Complex Composition Workshop, using techniques of collage, layering, transparency, and improvisation.
How long have you been teaching and what got you started teaching?
I have been teaching architectural design for about 22 years and fiber art workshops for over 10 years. I think both go hand in hand and inform each other. I got interested in quilting through teaching architecture when I read an article about how a faculty member used traditional quilting blocks as a way to start designing a floor plan, in this case it was a Museum for Quilts. Long story short — the idea launched my interest in fiber art.
What is your favorite part about teaching?
My favorite part is that “light bulb” moment! You know when you see that a student appreciates and gets what you are teaching.
What would you tell your prospective students are three best reasons for taking a workshop?
Excellent question!
First of all my courses stress “design thinking”. I want every student to develop their own work in their own voice. My goal is not to create “mini-me’s”.
Secondly, teach the techniques first, so each student can focus on the design after they have experience with the how-to portion of my workshops.
I have over 20 years of experience teaching design and conducting critiques. I love to provide feedback and critique! But I do it in a nurturing way. My goal is to help each student clarify their design intent and I try to give my critique through that lens.
What are you currently working on in your own art?
Lately I have been experimenting with using laser cutting technology in my work. You can read more about it in an upcoming article that I wrote for the SAQA journal. I am still passion about creating fiber art maps but, from a new and exciting perspective.
Is your work represented in galleries, and if so, what hints would you give to artists looking for gallery representation?
My work is in many private collections but I do not currently have gallery representation. This is something I would like to pursue one day when I retire from university teaching and have time to create more work and to promote myself.
Do you sell your work in any online gallery?
Yes, I have work on Artful Homes.
What is your favorite art quote?
When an architect (artist) is asked what his best building (work of art) is, he (she) usually answers, “The next one.” – Emilio Ambasz
Describe your studio.
My studio is in a funky artist warehouse district located next to the city’s railroad track and positioned between 2 university districts. It is my oasis, a place where I can get away from it all and just CREATE! An added benefit is that I share it with another artist. It is a great way to bond with another artist and learn from another artistic point of view.
Name five of your “can’t do without” tools/products.
In no particular order:
Epilogue Laser Cutter
Misty Fuse
Acrylic Paint + Fabric Medium
Sewing machine
Computer
Elizabeth Busch is an artist who draws, paints, sews, and sculpts space. From her workshop in Maine, Elizabeth works in two mediums: Kinetic Sculpture and Art Quilts.
“My quilts are sewn paintings, acrylic on canvas that is then hand quilted. This part of the process allows me to become physically reacquainted with a piece created at arm’s length on the wall, and to add another visual dimension to it. I believe that the work communicates with many because color and mark making are a universal language.”
Elizabeth Busch will teach a five day Workshop, The Painted Quilt: Creating Small Works at the Hudson River Valley Fiber Arts Workshops October 30 to November 5, 2016.
Elizabeth recently explained her philosophy of art, and teaching.
How long have you been teaching and what got you started teaching?
My first workshop was in 1987. The director of the Fiber Department at the Fredricton New Brunswick, Canada, School of Art saw an article about me and my Painted wall quilts in a then new magazine called Threads. She contacted me and asked if I would be interested in teaching a workshop to her fiber majors. I replied: “I’ve never done such a thing…what would I teach?” She said, “How about what you DO?” … and the rest, as they say, is history.
What is your favorite part about teaching?
There is nothing quite so thrilling as seeing a ‘lightbulb’ go off for a student. I so enjoy meeting new and former class participants, sharing ideas and problem solving with everyone, using my favorite tools and processes. I absolutely love to teach, to watch others learn and grow in such a short period of time!
What would you tell your prospective students are three best reasons for taking a workshop?
Problem solving with several other people, seeing different results that materialize for everyone, and letting that ‘door open!’ I teach exactly what I do in my own work: it is fun, simple, and freeing. If you liked Kindergarten, I think you’ll like my workshops!
What are you currently working on in your own art?
I recently finished a large scale Public Art commission for the Maine State Library, Museum and Archives at the state capitol in Augusta, ME. I have supported myself as an artist since 1987, and the major portion of that income is from such commissions. Most of those commissions are my Kinetic Sculpture. I generally teach 4-6 workshops per year and in between do my ‘soul work,’ my own Art Quilts. I am so fortunate to have a balance between my major source of income (Public Art Commissions); teaching workshops (in which I get to travel, meet wonderful people, and share my processes with them), and creating my own Art Quilts.
Where is your art currently being exhibited?
One of my pieces is now traveling internationally with Quilt National 2015, another is traveling with SAQA Silver. I have 8 new current pieces in my studio that are ready to go somewhere new…I hope! And the Maine Public Art Commission, “Home,” is permanently installed in the atrium of the Maine State Museum. In a few weeks I will be traveling to San Diego as one of three jurors for “Breakout: Quilt Visions 2016.”
Is your work represented in galleries, and if so, what hints would you give to artists looking for gallery representation?
No. I do not have gallery representation. I did years ago, but find that teaching workshops, creating public art commissions, and exhibiting in shows feeds all of my financial and soul’s needs.
Do you sell your work in any online gallery?
No, I do not.
What is your favorite art quote?
“If you don’t like what you’re doing, don’t do it! It won’t work.” –Berenice Abbott, photographer
Describe your studio.
I have lived for 40 years in an 1856 Maine farmhouse, complete with attached barn and shed. 40 years ago there were chickens, ducks, a horse and a ‘beef critter’ in the barn. My two children, husband and I ‘lived off the land…’ kind of, but not totally. Now, the children are grown and gone, I’ve been divorced for 20 years, and the barn and shed are my glorious studios! I do share the barn studio with an occasional friendly little mole who skitters across the floor when I least expect it.
Name five of your “can’t do without” tools/products.
Five can’t do without…unsized cotton duck, Textile paints, my Bernina 960, hand needles and embroidery floss, big work walls…and lots of good lighting!
It seemed like a week-long party during Robert Burridge’s Abstract Acrylic Painting and Collage workshop.
” Bob makes it fun – very informative, his color wheel made the process easier to understand. I’m very excited to continue and experience Bob’s class!” – Diane D.
They also worked hard in the studio. Bob started each morning with a short lecture and demo, then assigned a warm up exercise to the students to get them going. After that everyone could work in the their own direction, if they chose. 
Chef Mark got to step out of his chef-ing duds and into his painting gear for a little side trip into abstract painting. He enjoyed working in a series themed around cellos (he has recently taken it once again) and other musical instruments. 
Then there was the Bob and Mark after-dinner entertainment show! Both Bob and Mark come from a tradition of entertainment and magic and they traded off with each other presenting fun close-up magic tricks, to the delight of the audience! 
This is one of Bob’s famous floral demos. 
More of Bob’s morning demos. 
Mark with his vintage card trick duck! The duck was his fathers, who was a comedian, vaudeville entertainer, and musician. 
More rope tricks by Bob! 
At the final night’s dinner, the student’s presented Bob with a card and gift. 
It was sad to see such a happy group leave at the end of the week, but Bob will be back again next year in June. Before Bob left, he and Mark had their heads together quietly scheming about an even more elaborate after-dinner show for next year! Don’t miss it, sign up now.
Cynthia Corbin’s art quilts have been exhibited throughout the United States, Europe and New Zealand. Her work has appeared in many exhibitions, such as Quilt National, Artist As Quiltmaker, Quilts=Art=Quilts, Art Quilt Elements, Speaking In Cloth, Visions, CraftForms, and Fiberart International. She lectures and teaches nationally, applying her passion to the development of each student’s individual voice.
Drawing on her love of both folk art and abstract art, she explores dyeing and painting, intensive machine quilting, and a problem-solving, seat-of-the-pants approach to quilt construction.
Cynthia Corbin first taught at the Hudson River Valley Fiber Art Workshops in 2015. Her students were so inspired and delighted that most of them immediately re-enrolled for her 2016 Workshop!
Cynthia returns to Hudson River Valley Fiber Art Workshops to teach her Composing Composition five-day Workshop October 23 to 29, 2016 Don’t delay in enrolling if you’d like to work with Cynthia – it’s a great opportunity to catch her on the East Coast, just before she retires from teaching to focus more on Studio work and travel.
How long have you been teaching and what got you started teaching?
I taught my first class in 1974—basic beginning traditional hand piecing. But I didn’t start teaching seriously until 2003. By that time I felt I had something to teach that was a true reflection of my own experience.
What is your favorite part about teaching?
I love the direct connection with each individual student—finding out who they are and what kind of art they are interested in making. Fascinating!
What would you tell your prospective students are three best reasons for taking a workshop?
Hands on, hands on, hands on. Oh, and supportive feedback.
What are you currently working on in your own art?
I am experimenting a lot right now. I have been staring at weather-beaten surfaces for a good long time and that is figuring in my work.
Where is your art currently being exhibited?
I currently have a piece in Quilt National 15 touring (Weathering Out).
Is your work represented in galleries, and if so, what hints would you give to artists looking for gallery representation?
I do show work in galleries from time to time. My best advice is to keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities that come from unexpected places—places that perhaps show fiber along with other types of work—like pottery.
What is your favorite art quote?
I have two—First one is from Picasso, “I am always doing that which I cannot do in order to learn how to do it.”
Second is from John Ford, film director, “When in doubt, make a Western”.
Describe your studio.
Not big enough, sometimes messy, once in while it is tidy…the big umbrellas provide sunshade from the sky light. I am fond of umbrellas….
Name five of your “can’t do without” tools/products.
APQS Millennium Long Arm machine (Millie), my Bernina Aurora 440, rotary cutter, cutting mats in all sizes, DESIGN WALL. Oh, and pins once in a while.
Hilde Morin, a fiber artist, looks for drama in the creation of her art quilts. Drama in the form of color, texture and pattern.
Hilde finds inspiration in both natural and in architectural scenes, having a particular interest in cities, towns, buildings and weathered structures. In natural scenes, she represents reality by simplifying or suggesting it through either abstract or primitive designs. Her technique includes the creation of a first layer of improvised pieced fabric with the addition of a second layer of texture through extensive thread work and surface design.
Hilde’s creations are influenced by her multi-cultural background and travels.
We are pleased to welcome Hilde to the Hudson River Valley Art Workshops this year. She will teach a five-day Fiber Arts class, In and Around Town, October 9 to 15, 2016.
How long have you been teaching and what got you started teaching?
I have been teaching for 15 years. After quitting my corporate job to be more involved with my kids, I joined an open-sew group at a local quilt shop. We shared projects, discussed works in progress and gave each other ideas and advice. After a few months I was asked by the storeowner to teach a workshop. I have enjoyed teaching since then!
What is your favorite part about teaching?
Guide each of my students in translating their ideas into a design that is pleasing to them and also doable. Demonstrate sewing tips and techniques to use during the construction process.
Challenge my students to do more than what they think they can do.
What would you tell your prospective students are three best reasons for taking a workshop?
You will work in a very freeing environment where my guidance, tips and techniques will help you produce work that has your marks and is unique.
I will gently challenge you to do things outside of your comfort zone.
Every piece has its own design and construction challenges. Sharing how to resolve these in a class setting is very valuable for everyone and we all learn.
What are you currently working on in your own art?
I am waiting for inspiration to quilt El Vecindario (The neighborhood) which I just finished piecing. In the meantime I started working on a new piece inspired by a market with food carts in Portland, OR. So far I have chosen the colors and made a few lines on my design wall.
Where is your art currently being exhibited?
Two pieces (Where To Stay/Where To Go) are currently being shown at the Chehalem Cultural Center in Newberg, OR as part of a group exhibit “A Sense of Place: The Allison Inn.” My latest piece, Between Light and Shadow just came back from a 2-month long exhibit at the Visions Art Museum in San Diego, CA.
Is your work represented in galleries, and if so, what hints would you give to artists looking for gallery representation?
My work has been represented in two galleries, Maria Elena Kravetz Gallery in Argentina, and Studio 503 in Hood River, Oregon. In my opinion, showing professionalism is the most important requirement when dealing with a gallery. Professionalism in every step: communication, portfolio presentation, work quality, pricing scheme. Also, making yourself available and having current work to show are very important.
Do you sell your work in any online gallery?
Not really, but I have sold much work through my website.
What is your favorite art quote?
I am not sure I have a favorite art quote but instead I will tell you what my favorite principle is: Start by doing small things right.
Describe your studio.
After “surfing” spare rooms and guest rooms for 10 years, I now have a beautiful dedicated studio…my favorite part of the house! It is divided in two sections, my sewing studio and my teaching studio. My sewing studio is where everything happens and it is usually quite busy. My teaching studio is where I teach groups of 6 people and where I keep a gallery of quilts on display for inspiration. Of course, I spread out through both sections when I don’t have classes scheduled!
Name five of your “can’t do without” tools/products.
I am a minimalist and can work with very little. Other than sewing machine, fabric and thread, these are musts:
A design wall
A good lamp
Music
A camera
My computer
Rayna Gillman is an internationally known artist and teacher whose work has appeared in galleries and museums across the US. She works spontaneously in mixed media, often using collage and printmaking techniques to add texture to her work.
Rayna brings her intuitive sense of color and design into her work and her classes, infusing her students with a sense of play and encouraging them to use the words “what if?” as they experiment in their own work. She was nominated for the Teacher of the Year Award in 2010 by Professional Quilter Magazine.
Rayna returns to the Hudson River Valley Fiber Arts Workshops to teach the creatively liberating Free-form Design Spa Workshop, August 21 to 27, 2016.
How long have you been teaching and what got you started teaching?
I’ve been teaching for 15 years. I started teaching after I appeared on Alex Anderson’s Simply Quilts program. After the program ran, I got tons of emails asking “do you teach what you do?” So, I put together some classes and asked my local quilt shop if I could do a beta test for Jump Starting the Art Quilt. There was a waiting list, so I taught it twice — and the rest is history. I’ve been fortunate to have taught in Canada, the U.K., in South Africa, and coming up – in Switzerland. This past summer I taught in Alaska, invited by a student from my 2013 class here. How lucky I am!
What is your favorite part about teaching?
Seeing people’s eyes light up when they realize they have created original work and had fun doing it. I also love the energy in a classroom that you can’t get when you work alone.
My best reward is when students send me photos of quilts they have started in class and I can see the results of what they learned. What a joy! I just received an email from a student who entered a quilt she made after she took my class. It won a ribbon in the art quilt category. She was thrilled and so was I. Here are a couple of student pieces in-process from my last Hudson River Valley class.
What would you tell your prospective students are three best reasons for taking a workshop?
They give me me their own reasons because the first thing I ask them is why they are here and what they’d like to walk away with. In no particular order, the most frequent answers are:
1) I want to be freed up and learn to relax and have fun while I’m working.
2) I want to make my own work, not something based on a pattern.
3) I love your work and just wanted to take a class with you.
I can’t speak for why anyone wants to take a workshop in general because every teacher is different. But I could add to the reasons above…
4) To experiment and learn something new you can take home and apply to your own work.
5) To absorb the energy of working with other people, to share ideas, and to learn from seeing what others are doing.
6) To have fun, because if you can’t have fun while you’re working, what’s the point?
What are you currently working on in your own art?
Asking myself “what if?” and playing around with some new ideas. Right now, too many ideas and not enough time!
Where is your art currently being exhibited?
It just came down from a three-person exhibit in NJ and prior to that, a solo exhibit at Brassworks Gallery, also in NJ. At the moment, I am in Florida and my work is still in New Jersey.
Is your work represented in galleries, and if so, what hints would you give to artists looking for gallery representation?
I don’t have gallery representation. The NY metro area is not hospitable to art quilts; they still don’t take us seriously as artists. There was a dedicated Art Quilt Gallery in Manhattan but unfortunately, it is now closed.
Do you sell your work in any online gallery?
Yes, I sell work from my website.
What is your favorite art quote?
Ask yourself “what if?” and then try it. Sometimes it will work, sometimes it won’t — but you will always learn from it. (I’m quoting myself – LOL).
Describe your studio.
Hahahahahaha. I have two studios – my wet studio away from the house and my sewing room at home in New Jersey. They are both a mess. In Florida, my studio is my dining room table. Here it is, as we speak.
Name five of your “can’t do without” tools/products.
My reading glasses.
My rotary cutter.
My iPad/ iPhone/digital camera (this counts as one)
My sewing machine, naturally.
My instincts.
** (notice that “ruler” is not on the list)
We finished off our 2015 workshop season with a fiber art / painting party in the form of Katie Pasquini Masopust’s Stitched Paintings workshop. Some amazing works were created with this fun process that mixes painting with stitching. Here is a peak into the studio during that workshop. The first step of the process was painting gesso’d canvas to create a “palette” of colors to use in abstract landscapes and still life compositions. 
All sorts of stamps and recycled materials were available for making marks on the paintings. 
Here you see an assembled abstract landscapes coming together made with strips of painted canvas. 
Throughout the days, Katie would introduce new techniques for adding interest, texture, form and line to the painted canvases. This is a drip technique use to good effect. 
Shadows and lines was another fine possibility. 
A composition by Cindy Heath. 
An amazing landscape by Kathy Nurge. 
A great composition by Sherry Shine. 
Katie also showed the group how to put together a fun abstract floral still life. This one is also by Sherry Shine. 
Here is Katie’s still life arrangement. 
Next Katie brought out the power tools. She showed the group how to construct their own frames for the stitched paintings. 
One the frame was assembled, Katie demonstrated how to attach the stitched painting to the frame. 
This pieces was created with a “stack and whack” to create the pieces which were then shuffled to create abstract blocks. It was made by Kim LaPolla. 
Manon Boisvert is hard at work creating some amazing abstract compositions. 
These are book covers that Katie showed everyone how to make with the painted canvases. 
Another thing to do with the painted canvases was to create mini zippered bags for holding stuff! So if you didn’t like the way your painted canvas turned out, Katie showed the group that there were lots of ways to make use of them. 
On the final day of class every one put all the work on display and we all went around the studio on a tour. This is the work of Sherry Shine. 
This is what it looked like to the person standing next to their art work and talking about it. The paparazzi in action! 
This is the work of Kim LaPolla. 
This is the work of Jane Pinchuck. 
A fun landscape by Alison Chandler. 
The work of Manon Boisvert. 
The work of Kathy Nurge. 
The work of Donna Dynes. 
The work of Cindy Heath. 
Earlier in the year, Katie also taught her Log Cabin Abstracts workshop and Alison also attended that workshop and brought back her finished piece to show to everyone. 
It was such a fun workshop that the group formed a “Painting Monday” challenge to motivate everyone to keep on painting! Katie will be back again teaching in 2017 and will teach her fabulous Fractured Landscapes class. Don’t miss it!
Marge Tucker is an award-winning quilt designer and quilting instructor. An eclectic quilter, she started with traditional pieced quilts, dabbled in applique and is now enjoying the liberated style of piecing as taught by Gwen Marston.
Marge has embraced and focused on this style of abstract quilting and design for the past several years. Her quilts are in private collections in Canada and the United States.
Marge will teach a three day Workshop at the Hudson River Valley Fiber Arts Workshops, March 19 to 23, 2016. Urban Cabin + Going in Circles. This workshop covers two techniques: improvisationally pieced log cabin blocks (Urban Cabin) and improvisationally pieced curves and circles (Going In Circles).
How long have you been teaching and what got you started teaching?
I have been teaching quilting for eight years, two years I was just teaching part-time as I was also working at the quilt store in which I was teaching. The remaining six years I have been teaching quilting full-time. I got started teaching because someone in the quilt store said to me “You should teach a class”. And I thought “Why not?” It was a natural progression from helping customers in the store and doing mini-tutorials to teaching classes.
What is your favorite part about teaching?
My favorite part about teaching is sharing my passion for quilting and hoping to instill some of my enthusiasm in the students. I love having students leaving the class/workshop so excited about what they learned that they go home and send me a photo in a couple days of their finished quilts. How great is that?
What would you tell your prospective students are three best reasons for taking a workshop?
Having dedicated time to immerse yourself in learning is like nothing else, especially having multiple days where the only thing you are responsible for is learning and creating.
Being surrounded by like-minded people adds so much to the workshop. I find that students inspire each other (and myself!) with the work that they are creating. I call it cross-pollination. One student will try something new and share it with the group and they can use however they see fit. I often am thinking “Now why didn’t I think of that?”
Quilters are known for being one of the friendliest groups of people. If you come by yourself or with a friend, you will leave with many new “fiber friends”.
I foster a very supportive and encouraging environment. One student recently said “This workshop is so Zen! I haven’t been this relaxed in ages.”
What are you currently working on in your own art?
I am continuing my exploration of the “Going In Circles” technique of curved improvisationally pieced circles.
Where is your art currently being exhibited?
I do not currently have any work being exhibited.
Is your work represented in galleries, and if so, what hints would you give to artists looking for gallery representation?
No, unfortunately, art quilts are still under-represented in galleries.
Do you sell your work in any online gallery?
Not at this time.
What is your favorite art quote?
“Great art deals with simple subjects freshly.” Alfred North Whitehead
Describe your studio.
A hot mess. Maybe a better term would be “actively in use”. I’m in my studio everyday and enjoy the light-filled space. It could be a little bigger, but having a dedicated studio space in my house is wonderful. It’s also nice to be able to lean to the right every once in a while as I sew to catch a glimpse of the ocean!
Name five of your “can’t do without” tools/products
1) My sewing machines, I use a Singer Featherweight and “Bertha” my Bernina sewing machine
2) Fabric!!
3) Rotary Cutter for cutting fabric
4) A design wall
5) My idea journal and colored pencils — to capture design ideas
The class was fabulous. Rosalie has the skill to bring out the best in each individual. There were no “cookie cutter” projects. The classroom felt “safe” to explore new ideas. The lighting in the studio was great! – Cheryl K.
It was on topic – lots of individual attention to help meet the specific needs of each person. – Ann Marie P.
We had another wonderful week with Rosalie Dace for her “Branching Out” workshop, where everyone was encouraged to find inspiration from trees. Students discovered the different shapes, patterns, lines, textures , colours and symbolism of trees while experimenting with design and using various piecing and appliqué techniques to make a beautiful quilt top 
Each day, Rosalie posted some inspirational quote to get the creative mind cells percolating! 
Here is the happy crew at the end of the week posing on the back steps of the inn. As you can see in the background, the beautiful Fall foliage of upstate New York was surrounding the class all week. 
This year Robert Burridge taught a workshop in the Fall for the experienced painter, having fun with acrylics, collage, and more. Each day started with a demo and some suggested exercises to get the creative juices flowing. 
One of the morning exercises was simple figures, working with just one color plus black and white. 
In case you can’t read what is on the back of those figure’s jackets, it’s “Bobette.” Those who have taken a workshop with Bob before know what this means! 
The weather for the week was spectacular! 
Our staff likes to have some artistic fun in the kitchen! This was the first night’s meal that we were holding for someone who was going to be arriving late and couldn’t make it in time for the dinner time. 
This was a fun class and a great group of artists. If you missed your chance, Bob Burridge will be back again in the Spring of 2016. Sign up now before it fills up.
“Fran has a gentle approach to teaching; she encourages & inspires her students through her lectures and kindness. Your workshops are still the best of all the others that I have attended (Maine, Vermont, NY, CT).” – Maryfran L.
“Great pace, attitude! Lack of stress, love her process of day by day to avoid ‘pre-planning.’ Lets students react to the present opportunities.“
Another great workshop with Fran Skiles was enjoyed a couple of weeks ago. Here are some photos for you to enjoy a glimpse into the fun things that happened. 
Freshly made brioche to keep the students nourished! 
If you didn’t have the chance to get into this popular workshop, don’t worry, Fran will be back in 2017.
Another fun week with Sue Benner exploring constructing abstractions!
“Sue is an excellent teacher – shares her techniques with the detail needed. She encourages students to work with their own inner spirit. I always say the food is the best meals I get all year! This was one of the best weeks ever at HRVAWorkshops. You folks do it RIGHT.” – Carol N.
“Class was fabulous – Sue was awesome – class participants were unbelievable – kind, giving, sharing, etc. The vegetarians meals for me were suburb – five star quality!” – Marty M.
“Sue is one of the most sharing, patient instructors anyone could hope for. The food was so great – thank goodness I requested small portions!” – JoLee T.
Sue will be back again in 2017!
Katie Pasquini Masopust (Katie PM) was here for her first June workshop. She usually comes in the late Fall, so Katie and her group enjoyed seeing the inn in all its Spring finery. But speaking of finery, the workshop students created some really great grid and line interpretation of photos. They were a hard working and happy group.
“Katie never disappoints! Expectations are managed and exceeded!. This is a great facility – ample space, ample electrical availability. All meals were excellent – food restriction accommodations top rate. Service was excellent” – Becky Poisson.
Overflowing strip stash! 
The final night’s dinner started with a Champagne toast curtesy of one of the students! That’s how to celebrate with style. 
The peonies will be gone in the Fall, but Katie will be back! She is returning in early December to teach her Stitched Paintings class. That’s one of Katie’s stitched paintings behind the peonies. 
Awarding winning art quilter Gloria Loughman is a popular teacher from Victoria, Australia. She is the author of Luminous Landscapes and Quilted Symphony. Gloria returns to the Hudson River Valley Fiber Art Workshops October 25 to 31, 2015 to teach an innovative new Fiber Arts class, “Fabulous Facades”.
How long have you been teaching and what got you started teaching?
Seems like I have always been a teacher. I used to be a Special Ed teacher in the secondary setting for many years. I have been teaching quilting classes for almost 20 years.
What is your favorite part about teaching?
I love teaching. I love the anticipation and excitement of the students before a class begins. I love the feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction as students realise they can achieve wonderful results when tasks are broken down to manageable steps.
What are you currently working on in your own art?
I am currently working on a series of quilts based on architecture. Taking an existing building and playing with the colours and textures to produce an image that is original and eye-catching. I am also still exploring landscapes with some degree of abstraction.
Where is your art currently being exhibited?
In a couple of months I have an exhibition of my recent work at the Festival of Quilts at Birmingham in the UK. This is indeed an honour and privilege to be invited to have a gallery at this event.
Describe your studio.
About 6 years ago, we built a new house near the beach. I thought I might teach some classes at home so the studio was designed to be large enough to accommodate a class. When we moved in, I spread out and now have no thoughts of teaching at home. My husband says our new home is actually a studio with a small house attached.
It is wonderful. I have a wet area for dyeing, a cosy area for reading, a number of large surfaces for cutting and designing, a large design wall, and a bathroom. The studio doubles as a dormitory for lots of grandchildren when they all decide to visit at the same time.
Natalya Aiken, a fiber artist from New York, just taught a three day workshop on her process of combining her love of photography, architecture, with art quilts.
These are some of Natalya’s work. The detail and texture on these pieces are magnificent and the photos don’t do them justice.
Natalya brought her printer and provided rolls of printable surfaces.
Here is something from one of the students; images that were manipulated in PhotoShop and then printing on sheer fabric.
A closer look at the printer, an Epson, I believe.
More student work exploring combined images, stitching for texture, and printing. 
Here is Jane in her corner of the studio with various prints hanging on her design boards.
You can read more about Natalya’s work in our interview with her on our blog.
One of our most popular Fiber Arts Instructors, Sue Benner, will be at the Hudson River Valley Fiber Art Workshops to teach a five day class, Construction/Abstraction, August 23 to 29, 2015.
This 2015 Workshop is fully enrolled / Wait List only, but Sue will return in the Autumn of 2017. Like so many of you, we can’t wait!
How long have you been teaching and what got you started teaching?
Although I taught occasionally as a young artist, I didn’t begin to teach in earnest until after starting my family. After my first son was born, Nancy Crow and Linda Fowler asked me to teach at the Quilt/Surface Design Symposium (QSDS) in 1992. After my second son was born, I taught again at QSDS in 1996 and have been teaching steadily at various conferences and venues ever since.
Actually, I have recently reduced my teaching schedule to make more time for studio work. Hudson Valley is a venue that is still on my list for good reason!
What is your favorite part about teaching?
My favorite part of teaching comes when my students dare to take risks, and when they have a sense of astonishment about their own work. I love it when someone makes a leap in the work and says, “I didn’t know I could do that!” or, “I didn’t know I had it in me!”
What would you tell your prospective students are three best reasons for taking a workshop?
Taking a workshop at Hudson Valley Art Workshops has even more perks.
• Having 5 days to leave your day to day life behind to spend in concentration and intensity with your art;
• Meeting other artistic people with whom to share ideas, get feedback about your work, and have fun in the process;
• Finding how your quilts relate to others and having the mental space to reframe your work.
Of course this is on top of learning new skills and techniques and all the other perks of staying at the Greenville Arms Inn.
What are you currently working on in your own art?
I am currently preparing for a solo show at the Texas Quilt Museum in La Grange, Texas (April 2-June 28, 2015). The title of the show is “Circling the Square” in which I explore expanding the tradition of the grid as a framework for the art quilt through the use of color, texture, and shape to add dimension and a new sense of space to the art quilt.
Where is your art currently being exhibited?
In addition to the show at the Texas Quilt Museum, I will have work at the Bilston Craft Gallery in Bilston, West Midlands, in the United Kingdom (May 9 – July 4, 2015), and at the Georgetown Art Center in Georgetown, TX (March 2015).
The Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN commissioned 3 pieces of my work in 2013 and another even larger work (about 104” wide) that I completed in January 2015.
Last year I curated a show at the Museum of Geometric and MADI Art called “Quilts: The New Geometry” that included two of my works as well as quilts by nine other artists.
Is your work represented in galleries, and if so, what hints would you give to artists looking for gallery representation?
Yes, I am represented by several galleries in the United States.
My advice would be to be prolific, make a lot of work. Develop your ideas and work in a series—or several. Get high quality professional photographs made of your work. Join professional organizations. Keep detailed records of your work, shows, and build your resume. Enter contests and calls for entry. Visit galleries where you want to be shown. Get to know the gallery director; be visible.
Here is the big thing: Show your work outside your medium, not just in quilt shows.
Do you sell your work in any online gallery?
I do not sell work online in my own website (www.suebenner.com), but prospective buyers are able to contact me on it. I also am part of a selected group of quilt artists called Through Our Hands (www.throughourhands.co.uk) out of the United Kingdom that actively promotes, displays, and features my work in their website and online magazine.
What is your favorite art quote? I have many, but one that seems particularly poignant right now is from artist and illustrator, Maira Kalman from the commencement address she delivered to the class of 2013. (My older son, Kellan Jett graduated from RISD that year as an illustration major.)
“Caring passionately about your work will make you happy,” Kalman said, and later closed with this admonition: “Go forth with kindness, meanness, courage, fear, compassion. Go forth with knowing and having no idea – and knowing that having no idea is completely acceptable and real. Commence with confusion. Commence with a sense of humor. Walk, breathe, retreat. Commence with an idea… It’ll be amazing to see what you do.”
Describe your studio.
My studio is located right behind my house and my short commute makes going to work every day very convenient. The main room of the studio is about 22’x45’ with a garden shed on one end and a bathroom and utility/dye room on the other. One long side of the studio serves as my design and photography wall, and the other long side is a bank of bookshelf-lined windows that allow for lots storage and natural light. On one end is the “office,” the sewing machines are in the middle, and the design/painting/dyeing space is adjacent to the utility room. I have a great table (15’ long) and some open floor space that gets used for dyeing and painting or strewing fabric about.
My studio is in a state of constant flux and sometimes chaos. It is not a fancy, cute, or decorated space (maybe someday…), but it a great place to work.
My studio assistant is Judy Sullivan, and she helps to keep everything together!
Read more of our recent Instructor interviews:
An Interview with Elizabeth Barton, Art Quilt Designer and Instructor
An Interview with Tony van Hasselt, Watercolor Artist
An interview with Lorenzo Chavez: Prominent Landscape Painter in Pastels and Oils
An Interview with Leah Lopez, Award-Winning Artist and Instructor
An Interview with Frank Francese, Watercolor Artist
An Interview with David Daniels: Artist in Watercolor + more
An interview with Judy Coates Perez, mixed media textile artist.
Interview with Liz Kenyon, Pastel Painting Instructor
Patti Mollica discusses creating her art, and teaching
An Interview with Kim English, Oil Painter
An Interview with Barbara Nechis, Watercolor Artist
An interview with Hollis Chatelain: Fiber Artist
An Interview with Natalya Aikens: Computer + Stitch = Art Quilt
Ruth Powers: Designing and Sewing for Picture Piecing
Elizabeth Barton creates exciting contemporary art quilts, using abstract art principles for inspiration. She returns to the Hudson River Valley Fiber Art Workshops to teach a five day class, Abstract Art for Quiltmakers, August 16 to 22, 2015.
How long have you been teaching and what got you started teaching?
Since 1986…started because I wanted to learn more myself and teaching is a very good way to do that!
What is your favorite part about teaching?
It’s extremely rewarding when somebody has been stuck at a certain stage sometimes for years and suddenly you can help them see the way through!
What would you tell your prospective students are three best reasons for taking a workshop?
Useful information that you can take home and apply to many different quilts.
Individual personal critique – immediate feedback.
The shared enthusiasm of working alongside kindred spirits.
What are you currently working on in your own art?
I’m revisiting some older ideas with new subjects.
Where is your art currently being exhibited?
A couple of galleries in the South East, the touring Quilt National 2013, Atlanta airport: Gate 27 Concourse E.
Is your work represented in galleries, and if so, what hints would you give to artists looking for gallery representation?
That they look for a gallery that specializes in similar work.
Do you sell your work in any online gallery?
From my website: www.elizabethbarton.com and from my blog: www.elizabethbarton.blogspot.com. Not from any of the commercial online galleries – I’ve heard very mixed reports.
What is your favorite art quote?
Sergei Eisenstein the great Russian filmmaker said: “Careful planning and brilliant improvisation.”
Describe your studio.
I have different rooms for different activities. A large walk out basement with sinks etc., and large print tables for dyeing and printing. A command center with design wall, computer and sewing machine. And an art library and sketching area.
Name five of your “can’t do without” tools/products.
Pencil and paper, rotary cutter, T-square, protractor, camera, computer, sewing machine, and unlimited cups of tea!
Read more of our recent Instructor interviews:
An Interview with Tony van Hasselt, Watercolor Artist
An interview with Lorenzo Chavez: Prominent Landscape Painter in Pastels and Oils
An Interview with Leah Lopez, Award-Winning Artist and Instructor
An Interview with Frank Francese, Watercolor Artist
An Interview with David Daniels: Artist in Watercolor + more
An interview with Judy Coates Perez, mixed media textile artist.
Interview with Liz Kenyon, Pastel Painting Instructor
Patti Mollica discusses creating her art, and teaching
An Interview with Kim English, Oil Painter
An Interview with Barbara Nechis, Watercolor Artist
An interview with Hollis Chatelain: Fiber Artist
An Interview with Natalya Aikens: Computer + Stitch = Art Quilt
Ruth Powers: Designing and Sewing for Picture Piecing
Some students are novices, attending a Workshop for the first time, exploring an interest in the creative side of life.
Many more, however, are in various stages of professional development, and take Workshops to expand their range of proficiency, try a brand new medium, or return to a technique once learned but not recently practiced.
Interestingly, our inaugural student interview is with someone who falls into both categories – once a slightly nervous student, Manon Boisvert has now attended a wide range of Workshops, fearlessly experimenting in media and techniques ranging from painting and digital printing, to fiber arts.
The result has been rewarding both personally and professionally – Manon has been showing and selling her artwork in galleries in Quebec, and has developed a unique line of custom-printed silkwork cards.
Manon has recently had her work accepted to the prestigious National Collage Society 30th Annual Juried Show, and is a finalist in the 2015 American Watercolor Society (AWS) juried exhibition of artists from around the world. She has also garnered many awards for her work,
We’re pleased to share some of her story with you.
Books v. e-books
How long have you been taking Art Workshops and what got you started?
My first workshop was in 2002 with Arleta Pech in Vancouver. I realised that I could learn much more when I was with others watching an instructor demonstrate a technique or discussing an art topic.
What is your favorite part of attending a Workshop?
What I enjoy most about Workshops is the opportunity to explore new ideas with artists whose training is unique and different from my own. In their company, I find inspiration and it rejuvenates my artistic vision.
What would you tell prospective students are the three best reasons for taking a Workshop? Taking a workshop is a brainstorming journey; each one is a valuable reference for every painting you begin. Each time, I am encouraged to awaken my sense of adventure and to jump-start my courage.
What are you currently working on in your own art? I am learning about sewing machines (of which I knew very little), dry felting, digital printing, joomchi. I am experimenting with stitch marks and textures to complement my collage and painting creative process.
Where is your art currently being exhibited?
I am a member of local, national and international associations. I exhibit my work in group shows and every two or three years I try to organize a solo. I have a “cave” studio where everyone is welcome. On my website, www.manonboisvert.com, you can find the calendar of events.
Is your work represented in galleries, and if so, what hints would you give to artists looking for gallery representation?
When I have worked with galleries, I always enjoy bringing my husband with me! He does a better job talking up my talent.
Do you sell your work in any online gallery?
Most of the places where I exhibit have an online presence.
What is your favorite art quote?
Cezanne said, “Painting is meditation with a brush.”
Describe your studio.
My studio is in my hide-away. It feels cave-like, but with good lighting. Being organised is very important to me so I keep my space very clean, orderly and attractive. I also have several work stations where I can print, paint or read.
Name five of your “can’t do without” tools/products.
I can’t do without the Internet; it is a lifeline to the universe of information; my Epson printer; a large, deep sink with running water; a library full of art books of all kinds; an ergonomic chair to sit at the computer, so that I don’t get neck or shoulder pain, and colour-balanced lighting.
Read some of our recent Instructor interviews:
An Interview with Kim English, Oil Painter
An Interview with Barbara Nechis, Watercolor Artist
An interview with Hollis Chatelain: Fiber Artist
An Interview with Natalya Aikens: Computer + Stitch = Art Quilt
Ruth Powers: Designing and Sewing for Picture Piecing
Natalya Aikens’ innovative mixed media class will kick off our 2015 Fiber Arts season at the Hudson River Valley Fiber Arts Workshops. Her Computer + Stitch = Art Quilt Workshop is March 22 to 28, 2015.
How long have you been teaching and what got you started teaching? I have been officially teaching since 2009. I got started because a very insightful soul by the name of Pokey Bolton, the founder of Quilting Arts Magazine, thought I had something to teach and asked me do a workshop DVD. Previously I had written several articles for her magazine and had gotten a taste for how it feels to show others how to do something creative.
What is your favorite part about teaching? My favorite part of teaching is the interaction with the students. I love seeing the “aha!” lightbulb going off in their eyes when they have grasped a concept or seen a new way to make their art. I also love the fact that I learn something from my students each time. It’s maybe something new I figure out while trying to help them solve an issue, or they figure out something themselves and share it with me and I had never thought of approaching the issue that way. It’s always a win/win when teaching or learning.
What would you tell your prospective students are three best reasons for taking a workshop? The number one best reason of course is learning something new! Especially if it is out of your comfort zone.
The second reason is the interaction with the other students. You always learn from each other as well as from the instructor.
And number three is the creative atmosphere of the workshop. When there is so much creative energy around you, you cannot help but feel inspired and energized for your own work.
What are you currently working on in your own art? For the past year I have been concentrating on taming a new found material for me. I am working almost exclusively with recyclable plastics (i.e. plastic shopping bags, plastic packaging material). I love working with the colors available and most of all I am enjoying the challenge of making trash look like treasure!
I am also focusing on my home portraits. I love the challenge of working with materials provided to me by the owner of the home. People really get a kick from seeing their ephemera transformed into their home’s portrait and I am enjoying their reactions.
Where is your art currently being exhibited? My piece titled The City is touring with Quilt National 2013. There are a few exhibits planned for 2015, but I cannot share the details yet.
Do you sell your work in any online gallery? I sell my small affordable and experimental artwork in my Etsy shop. My larger pieces are sold through the Artful Home online gallery.
What is your favorite art quote?
From Twyla Tharp’s Creative Habit: The routine is as much a part of the creative process as the lightning bolt of inspiration, maybe more. And this routine is available to everyone… Creativity is a habit, and the best creativity is a result of good work habits.
I try to behave as though this is my mantra….
Describe your studio. My studio is a converted one car garage in the basement of our home. When we added a garage onto a different side of our home, we closed up the original, put in windows and made it my studio. It’s cozy with plenty of light, inspiration of the walls and a large art book collection. I have fabric and supply storage off to the side of it.
Three Berninas keep me busy stitching: my workhorse of a home machine that’s close to 30 years old, an industrial one that I indulged in about 10 years ago, and a serger which is used mostly for my costume work. I have a large folding work table on wheels, and one of the walls is my design wall. Even though I seem to have plenty of space I am known to occasionally take over the dining room table when things get busy….
Name five of your “can’t do without” tools/products. 1. My grandmother’s thimble. 2. Matte medium. 3. My 30 year old Bernina. 4. My camera. 5. My Epson printer.
You can’t beat the fun of a workshop, Abstracting from Nature, with Jane Sassaman in December! It was our last workshop for 2014 and it was such a great group.
“I didn’t know how great this facility is – very conducive to creativity and comfort! The meals were excellent, outstanding, delicious, healthy! Thanks for the wonderful week” – Stella Lang.
The students got off to a good start, by Wednesday they were already well on their way to creating some very imaginative and original abstractions from nature.
This is a close up of one of Jane’s pieces.
So ends the 2014 workshops season! It was fun and we are so grateful and pleased that we got to meet lots of old and new friends. The 2015 workshop season start in March, but in the meantime we’ll be planning and preparing for the fun and surprises of the new year. The full color brochure for the 2015 classes will be going out in the mail in a few days, but all of the new class information is already on our website and classes are filling fast.
The always fun and inspiring Sue Benner was here last week teaching her “Driven to Abstraction” workshop. This was a very productive class that really threw themselves into all the daily design exercises presented by Sue.
Here is the entire happy crew!
The last night of the workshop was Halloween, so we invited the class to join in with costumes and a number of them really had some great looks, especially JoLee Tarbell. Don’t you just love that 10′ feather boa and striped stockings!
The group gathered in the front parlor before dinner, snapping photos of everyone who appeared in costume.
Even Chef Mark and Kadi, one of our servers, joined in the fun. How often do you get to say your dinner was made by a wizard and served by Pippi Longstocking?!
The cut-leave maple in back of the Main Inn was in full glowing Fall color during the class.
If you missed this class, Sue Benner will be back again in 2015 teaching “Construction / Abstraction.”
Our Fall fiber art workshop series got off to a great start with Liz Berg teaching a 5-day workshop: Creating Original Art Quilts. It was a small but eager group and they wasted no time getting into the meat of the topic.
The first two days were spent with design and composition exercises. Then on Wednesday everyone was cut loose to start creating! Some fabulous pieces emerged over the final three days of the class. These photos were just after the first day of creating!
This week is a full class with Sue Benner, but there is still space in the other Fall workshops: