To Tell a Story with Cloth: Impressions, Connections, and Memories: Significant Object Portraits

Jan B.: When Jan was helping her mother to move, she discovered that her mom had pressed leaves in many of her books. This is a piece that celebrates that discovery.

In the third session of, To Tell a Story with Cloth: Impressions, Connections, and Memories, we focused on Significant Object Portraits. We talked/journaled about how certain objects can have strong connections to memories. They can trigger a memory or be a touchstone. These can be actual objects...but also memories of  "lost" objects...those that no longer exist but still have a strong hold on us.

Ann Z.: Memories of the Beach. Ann used carved blocks, aluminum printing plates/stencils, and moldable foam blocks. Hand stitched details.

Students designed and created a number of print blocks to tell stories about these special objects. They made Speedy Carve Blocks (carved), adhesive-backed craft foam blocks and aluminum pan printing plates, then printed fabrics to use in their story pieces. The Memory Challenge this week was to complete a piece that featured an object that has personal meaning or significance.

Alice A.: The Marketplace. Alice carved a print block, then printed it on two fabrics simultaneously. This is a childhood memory about the marketplace (in Mexico)...the colors and objects and the people.

Alice A.: Alice continued work on this piece from Session #2 by adding stitching.

Jan B.: A carved block and print. Memories of the leaves her mom pressed in books.

Jan B.: Jan is also working on a piece to honor her father. She made some moldable foam blocks using tools, nails, screws and washers.

Jan B.: Jan also did some sun printing at home!

Amy L.: "My piece is about my grandma's pink fuzzy bathrobe and her great hugs! I have really fond memories of her staying with my mom, sister and I when all the guys in our family were hunting or sleeping over at her house. She'd always have her pink fuzzy bathrobe and matching slippers. "

Judith K.-P.: Memories of Japan. Judith has strong memories of the fish market in Tokyo. This piece has many layers and textures. There is crocheted lace (representing coral) hiding under a layer of organza and stitching.

Judith K.-P.: A carved block that Judith is turning into a memory piece about flowers.

Judith K.-P.: Aluminum pan printing plate print of a teapot.

T.T.: Fabrics using print blocks and resists.

Karol L.: Memories of the Eastern Shore. Karol found that trips to the Eastern shore (Delaware and Maryland) renewed her during difficult times and was also a place where she spent many good times with family. 

Karol L.: Karol is putting all her memories together into a piece that she will be able to fold like a book.

Karol L. : Detail showing painted and printed fabrics.

Karol L.: In process. This panel will feature part of the boardwalk at Rehoboth Beach.

Judy M.: This piece is about Judy learning how to sew from her grandmother. She made her first outfit...a blouse and shorts. The fabric surrounding this memory is reminiscent of the lake near her grandparents' home.

Judy M.: A piece of painted and printed fabric that Judy is planning to turn into a memory cloth. We talked about the possible imagery we saw in it. Looking forward to seeing where Judy goes with this fabric!

If you would like to see student work from the first two classes:
Color Connections
Mapping Memories

I'll be teaching this class again this fall (evening class-TBA) at The Art League School in Alexandria, VA. If you'd like more information, please contact me.

To Tell a Story with Cloth: Connections, Impressions, and Memories: Mapping Memories (and More)

Ann Z.: Memories of a semester abroad in Spain and a trip to Cuevo de Altamira. Ann stitched and painted on an actual map that she saved from that time.

This is the second blog post about my five-session class, To Tell a Story with Cloth: Connections, Impressions, and Memories. The theme for week two was Mapping Memories. Students were asked to create a "map" of a memory or memories. We started the class with a journaling exercise...creating a Mind Map (web) of a memory. From there, students had a choice of mapping themes...including.. a Journey/Travel Map, a Treasures Map (Where to find...), a Neighborhood Map, or a Senses/Impressions Map. We covered texture printing techniques including printing directly with textures, creating hot glue, cardboard, adhesive-backed foam and moldable foam texture blocks. We also covered applique and reverse applique techniques and building applique bases using patchwork, collage and weaving.
A lot to pack into five hours!

Here are some of the fabrics created in class...

Alice A.: Fabrics printed with an assortment of blocks: Adhesive-backed foam, moldable foam and cardboard.

Barbara C.: Brick textures on sheer fabrics.

Jan B. printing.

Jan B.: texture prints over her resist and painted fabric.

Judith K.-P.: Printing over resist and painted fabric.

Judy M.: Rubbings using blocks made with thumbtacks and hot glue.

Karol L.: Moldable foam block prints.

T.T.: Assorted block prints including hot glue, adhesive-backed foam, string on cardboard, moldable foam.

Here are some different "takes" on mapping by some of the students. Other students are continuing work on their pieces and I will be posting more about them when they are complete.

Jan B.: Jan was the director of a multi-acre organic farm. After a particularly stressful day, she stepped outside to regroup...she was awed by the beauty of the farm.

Jan B.: An aerial view of the farm and the river running through it.

Judith K.-P.: Judith's Impression Map of Japan (in process). It includes temple arches, hanging prayers and geishas.

Judith K.-P.: Detail.

In addition, some students continued with the Color Connection exercises...

Ann Z.: Color Association exercise.

Ann Z.: Color of Emotions.

Alice A. : Color of Emotions

Alice A.: Color play using reverse applique and pleating techniques.

Alice A.: Color Memory: Alice spent her childhood in Mexico. She has very strong memories of walking through the marketplace. These are the colors she remembers...along with the billowing tent-like fabrics.

Ann Z.: Color Memory: Ann spent time living in Honduras. These are the colors that remind her of that place. She found it interesting that they were some of the same colors she picked for her first color association exercise (see above).

Judy M. created this cathartic piece ...that truly is a healing cloth...expressing her anger and sadness about the recent death of a close friend and the tenth anniversary of her husband's death.

Judy M.

We are having so many fascinating discussions in class. I am learning so much. That is teaching at its best...when you are learning along with teaching!

The next Story Cloth installment will feature Significant Object Portraits. Stay tuned!

If you are interested in taking this class and live in the Washington, D.C. area...I will be teaching an evening version in the fall. Dates TBA.

To Tell a Story with Cloth: Impressions, Connections, and Memories: Color Connections

Alice A.: EMOshuns- using color paper, pencils and pens.

Can it possibly be that a month has gone by! Once again, I have lots to post about but life is keeping me too busy to sort through the photos. I just finally had to get a post up...especially since I'm so excited about this new class!

I've taught Story Cloth before at The Art League School, but this is a completely overhauled version with a focus on memories. Each class session begins with a Journal Exercise (or two), followed by some painting/printing techniques and finally some stitching! Each class, centers around a theme related to memories.

Alice A.: Detail of EMOshuns--Anger.

In the first class session, we focused on color and how color can stir emotions and memories (how we connect to color and how color connects us to memories). The Journal exercises included writing, working with a fantastic pack of origami papers (300 pieces and 100 colors!!) and color pencils.

Jan B.: Anger

Judy M.: Anger

Among the exercises was one inspired by Betty Edwards, author of, Color: A Course in Mastering the Art of Mixing Colors. Students were asked to either draw or cut/tear paper to create a piece that represented particular emotions. Here is a selection:

Amy L.: Emotions

Jan B.: Jealousy

Jan B.: Tranquility

Judy M.: Sadness

Judy M: Jealousy and Joy.

Another color association exercise focused on The Color of Memories. Students were asked to pick out a small selection of colors that elicited memories and either write or create a paper/color pencil collage.

Karol L.: Her mother's home...with orange sofa!

Students then spent time painting color backgrounds using a number of different techniques. I have to say that I was so involved in what was going on, that I forgot to take photos (though in the next post the students add texture to their fabrics so you will get to see them at that stage).

The color exercises and some Journal Prompts became the basis for a number of small collaged/stitched fabric pieces.

Judith K.-P.: The colors around us.

Jan B.: The colors around us.

Amy L: The Fearless Girl

Jan B.: Emotions

Jan B.: Emotions: Joy

Judith K.-P.: Sadness. referencing mourning bells in Japan.

T.T.: Stitched emotions.

T.T.: Stitched emotions.

T.T.: Stitched emotions.

Barbara C.: London memories.

Jan B.: Beach memories with friends.

Judith K.-P.: Memories of Japan 1.

Judith K.-P.: Memories of Japan 2.

Karol L.: Memories of the Eastern Shore.

Judy M.: Memories of her grandmother's home. The trees lining the way.

Judy M.: Memories of her grandmother's home. Her grandmother loved to drink coffee and make milkshakes for her grandfather.

In the next post we continue the journey with Mapping Memories. Stay tuned!