Opportunities for guilds and groups for distance presentations
I am pleased to offer lectures as a live Zoom presentation with Power Point style chock full of images and a full Q & A with attendees. Enjoy learning with my informative and inspirational talks from the comfort of your home computer or tablet. Zoom is a user friendly app that is easy to install and use. I am also happy to use the account of a guild or group.
I'm willing to fit my schedule to yours and work with you to make this a success! Email me for further details: susanpm@shaw.ca
From time to time I present my lectures open to all on a variety of topics. Sign up for my Design Notes Newsletter (below) for updated information.
Vessel: Art of the Feminine
Over the past two years I have spend focused time developing an installation project that examines the female form as a container of life - past, present and future. Residencies in both Greece and Sardinia gave me the oppportunity to study at museums, sacred sites and contemporay art galleries, experiment and explore how I might interpret this concept into a group of small to large vessels using fabric, paint and stitch.
During a time when women’s reproductive rights and autonomy over their bodies is increasingly challenged and restricted by governments around the world, it is my strong belief is that conversations made through our art practise is a critical way to share our stories. A woman is an art form that is constantly evolving and changing, and we are creating ourselves as masterpieces and works of art. I hope that my textile body/vessels will inspire others to think about their own bodies and the different stages that they have gone through. Ultimately, I want to present the underlying theme of the female body/vessel as it ages from birth through to death through the lens of narrative and stitch.
This presentation includes images of my work that depict my abstract interpretations of anatomy and societal issues. I am happy to discuss the images before the event but they will not be edited.
My Textile Narrative
I still can't believe I spent a month in Iceland, completely immersed in creating textile book forms. The landscape shaped my work in ways I never expected - from the textures of ancient lava fields to the subtle colors of arctic moss. Let me share my journey with you, including practical tips for finding and creating your own residency experience, whether it's across the globe or close to home. I'll bring along the pieces I made during those intense weeks of exploration and show you how they've continued to influence my current work back in the studio. The whole experience taught me that sometimes you need to step away from the familiar to discover something new in your art.
Cloth to Codex
I love introducing people to the fascinating world where textiles meet bookmaking. As both a surface design/ stitch artist and a rudimentary bookmaker, I'll guide you through creating books using hand-dyed fabrics that merge function with artistry. During our time together, we'll explore various book structures and forms, each one offering a different way to showcase the richness of textile work. I can't wait to share these techniques with you - students often tell me they never imagined fabric could transform into such remarkable book forms.
Sacred Cloth - Textiles of Faith
Let me share what I've learned about how different faith communities connect with textiles, from prayer shawls to ceremonial robes, each tradition revealing deep meaning in cloth and thread. Through studying these practices, I've discovered how various faiths use specific colors, symbols, and techniques in their ritual textiles - like Buddhist temple hangings, Islamic prayer rugs, and Jewish tallitot. In a separate but connected exploration, I've become fascinated with the slow fashion movement and how mindful creation of clothing can help us step away from consumer culture. My research shows that whether in faith practices or sustainable fashion, people find meaning and purpose in their relationship with textiles.
On the Surface - paint, dye, resists and more!
Let me walk you through my journey with surface design, where I've discovered countless ways to transform plain fabric into something that tells a story. I'll share my collection of fabrics, from pieces treated with basic paint to those built up with layers of dyes, stamps, stencils, inks, stitch and much more - each method opening up new possibilities. We'll look at how these stunning fabrics can become art quilts, garments, or even elements in mixed media pieces. After seeing these examples, you'll never look at a piece of white fabric the same way - you'll see it as a canvas waiting for your creative touch.
Squiggle, Line & Dot
I've always loved the playful idea that a line is just a dot going for a walk, and I want to show you how this simple concept can spark endless creative possibilities. Through my collection of detailed images, I'll reveal how basic marks can transform surfaces and tell stories - whether they're dancing across fabric or wandering over paper. I've filled sketchbooks with experiments using everything from pencils to twigs, and I'm excited to share how these simple explorations have shaped my work. When you leave, you'll have a fresh perspective on mark-making, plus practical starting points to begin your own journey of discovery with lines, dots, and all the marks in between.
