Workshops & Lectures
Amy's classes are conducted in a relaxed, informal setting. Please leave your inner critic at the door and come ready to have some fun! All classes are suitable for adults and high school students and some can be modified for middle school students, as well.
If you would like Amy to teach at your guild or shop, please contact
her. She is willing to travel. Many classes can be modified to fit various
time frames and audiences. Please contact Amy if you are looking for a special class.
Available Workshops
Introduction to Fabric Dyeing
Splash into the world of fabric dyeing. Explore how to safely perform
immersion dyeing, dip dyeing, and shibori techniques to create beautiful,
vibrant, custom fabrics. A great hands-on class for quilters, fiber artists,
creators of custom, wearable art, or anyone with an interest in dyeing
cotton or silk. You will leave this class with the skills and knowledge
to continuing dyeing and experimenting at home. Course fee includes dyes
and chemicals. Students supply fabric and personal supplies. This course
is messy! Wear appropriate clothing.
Length: 6 hours
Dyeing For More?!
Continue your development of fabric-dyeing techniques in this follow-up
workshop. Students will learn overdyeing, painting and stamping. Course
fee includes dyes and chemicals, students supply fabric and personal
supplies. Register early. People are dyeing to get in this class!
Length: 6 hours
Surface Design Exploration in Fabric
Learn fabric dyeing, painting on fabric, create your own stamps and more. This fun, energetic class will emphasize personal exploration and experimentation. A great hands-on class for quilters, fiber artists, creators of custom, wearable art, or anyone with an interest in designing on cotton or silk. You will leave this three-week class with the skills and knowledge to continue surface design techniques and experimenting at home.
Creative Play
We could all use a creative boost from time to time. In this fun, supportive workshop we will leave our troubles (and our inner critic) at the door and dive into a variety of activities designed to give you a new look on life. We’ll play with different materials and techniques including writing, music, visual arts, and more. You’ll leave with many ideas for how to keep that creative flame alive.
Length: 3-6 hours
A Proclivity For Creativity - 13 weeks
Are you feeling stuck creatively? Do you think you are creative, but still have lots of doubts? The truth is we are all creative, we are all artists, bue we are often hesitant to let that artist out. In this 13-week workshop of self-exploration, we will use the book The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron as a guide to rejuvenate your creativity letting your inner artist shine.
Quilts to go: Contemporary quilting in a very tiny way
Learn the fabulous art of fusing in this contemporary style of quilt construction and make a super tiny wall quilt. This fast, creative approach to quilt making allows for more variation and keeps the attention span engaged. You'll even learn to make a fused binding to finish your quilt edges off super fast!
Length: 6 hours
Postcard Play
Everyone loves getting postcards, especially when it is art! In this
half-day workshop students will learn the fast, fun technique of fusing,
including making a fused binding. The small size of the quilt allows
fearless experimentation. Course fee includes a first class stamp to
mail your artwork to a friend!
Length: 3 hours
The Essence of Design
Making art isn’t all about following your intuition. Great artists continually incorporate the principles and elements of design in their work enabling them to better communicate with the viewer. In this fast-paced, hands-on class we’ll explore the fundamentals of design and complete various projects to learn these important aspects of art making. Suitable for any artists using any medium.
Length: 6 hours
Intact Abstract: abstracting common objects to create uncommon quilts
Drawing inspiration from everyday objects, students will be guided through
the process of creating an original art quilt. This two-day workshop
includes a series of exercises designed to move you away from patterns
and toward abstract design. You will begin creating a small art quilt
using fusing techniques. It all begins with a simple object from your
home (i.e. flower, spatula, fruit, spool of thread, etc.)
Length: 12 hours
See an example
Available Lectures
Creativity – it’s just a skill!
Yes, you can be more creative! Creativity is a skill you already have. Now you just need to develop it. In this one-hour lecture, Amy shares how she has developed her creativity and explains how you can do it too. She will explain the tools she uses, many of them derived from Julia Cameron’s book, The Artist’s Way. Learn how to use these tools to enhance your own creativity.
Teaching/Lecture Schedule
New workshop: Paddle, Point, and Shoot
There is more to taking a good photo than just pointing and shooting. This class will take the mystery out of capturing beautiful photos. Taking photographs from a kayak or canoe offers an excellent vantage point to capture the outdoors from a unique perspective. We’ll spend the day paddling a local river learning about photo composition, selective focus, macro photography, and the basics of taking great photos. You’ll also learn tips on how to safely use your camera in a wet environment. Exact location will depend on water levels, but we will be on a river in SE Wisconsin. Bring your own digital camera and the camera instruction manual. No photography experience required. Canoeists and kayakers welcome.
Date: Sunday, September 19, 2010, all day - exact times TBD.
Cost: $135/person
More info/registration: Rutabaga Outdoor Programs, (608) 223-9300.
Please contact Amy if you would like her to teach in your area. She is willing to travel.