WIP: "Creating Fabric Landscapes" at Artsjunktion with Heidi "runs with scissors" Hunter

I've been following Heidi Hunter's work for a few years. I just recently learned of Artsjunktion Manitoba. Last week, the two intersected: Heidi led a workshop at Artsjunktion. 

http://artsjunktion.mb.ca/

Heidi is a textile artist with an intriguing story. I encourage you to read about her at: http://www.runswithscissors.ca/bio.html. Heidi's studio is just north of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Getting to it includes a nice drive in the country toward our HUGE Lake Winnipeg.

The workshop was wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed Heidi's presentation style (she is so energetic and enthusiastic) and organization of the full day workshop. We did a relatively simple exercise first, and then built upon the concepts we learned. By the end of the day we had each created three (or more) pieces to take home.

What I learned from the first exercise is it to play with the composition of my fabric landscape. Using a little "view finder" we experimented with a paper photo, moving the viewfinder to various parts of the photo and pausing to consider the horizon and what elements are contained in the viewfinder square.

I must make myself a view finder (the one in the below photo is a mat; like those used for picture framing). 

Within the first 30 minutes of the workshop, under Heidi's watchful eyes, we were creating original pieces of art. This was my first piece.

When I first presented my "finished piece" it to Heidi, I wasn't comfortable with what I had created.

Heidi was able to resolve my discomfort immediately. She turned my composition upside down/right side up (depending upon one's perspective). Her well-trained eye caught my misstep so quickly! 

I was thrilled.

By the end of the workshop, I had created a large image using a variety of fabrics. Most of what I used were upholstery fabrics.

I am not pleased with my composition. I am, though, very happy with different parts of it. I love the movement in the "sky". I like the round shapes in the lower right-had corner (I call them "round bales").

Most of all, I am completely satisfied with the workshop and look forward to learning more from Heidi. I am able to use everything she taught me, right away, in a special quilt in my growing WIP pile.

Using the same "view finder" trick I learned at the beginning of the class, I focused on different parts of my composition. The result can be seen in these last photos.