While pursuing a degree in molecular biology and a master’s in biomedical illustration, Sue Benner created her vision of the microscopic universe in painted and quilted textile constructions. Her early work propelled her to become a studio artist in 1980, working primarily in the medium that later became known as the Art Quilt.
An innovator in her field, Benner creates complex dyed and painted textiles combined with recycled fabrics to form collaged fields of pattern, color, and beauty. Her work is shown world-wide in galleries, US embassies and museums including the International Quilt Study Center and Museum, National Quilt Museum, Neville Public Museum and the Museum of Geometric and MADI Art.
Her quilts have been juried into Quilt National eight times, recently winning the Most Innovative Use of the Medium award. She served as a juror in 2009.
A respected educator, she lectures and teaches workshops nationally and internationally in the areas of surface design, textile collage, fused quilt construction and artistic inspiration. She is well known for her communications skills and her ability to bring her knowledge of design and technique to the classroom experience.
Workshop: Wild Abandon – Collage/Layer/Abstract
CLass Fee: $50-70 for paints and materials
Take your work to unknown places!
Sue will guide you through building abstract quilt surfaces with layers of collaged fabric and paint. The aim is to put aside your perfectionist inner critic and freely compose with intuition (and abandon). Sue will provide you with just enough structure to give you room to improvise.
Working with recycled, unusual, non-precious (and some precious) materials, expect to make a series of several experimental works and start a larger individual work later in the week. You will collage, stitch, glue, fuse, and paint your way to discovery.
(Workshop includes PowerPoint presentations, demonstrations, and handout.)