Workshops / Lectures
Thank you for your interest in my workshops. As much as I love teaching and traveling, I have pared down my class offerrings to align with my new focus on artist coaching and expanding creativity. For more info and free resources and articles, please visit Artist Success,
Workshops
Circles Maximus
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Create around one at least a small circle where matters are arranged as one wants them to be. Anna Freud Buttons to bangles, bagels and bowls, gears, dots and rings, all circular things. As apart of my study of composition I have been creating with circles in paper and paint, fabric and found object, 2D and 3D for some time now. It’s time to share my obsession with you. The eye loves to follow circles. They symbolize completeness, harmony and unity and fit well into every nook and cranny and masterfully hold their own on center stage. Circles as background, foreground, focal point and accent; squashed, split and elongated – learn how to take this simple shape, apply surface design and turn it into gorgeous works of art. You will be amazed at how many ideas evolve when focusing on just this one, beautiful round shape. Emphasis will be placed on composition and the elements and principles of design in a fun and easy to understand format. You will use a variety of techniques to achieve stunning results. All circle cutting and drawing tools will be provided but you’ll want to create some on your own as well. We will spend the morning preparing our circles, everything from base layers to embellishments. The afternoon will be devoted to...well, circulation. You’ll carry away finished art, a stash of experimental play and a supply of circles for future go-rounds. I’ll even share with you the relationship between circles, kissing, the number 5 and Hawaiian earrings. One thing you won’t be doing is wandering in circles. |
Fragment Fabric Collage
(1 day)
A class for anyone who loves fabric, collage or color. Using a variety of fabrics (your own and the class stash), you will learn how to combine color and texture, motif and scale to create mood, memories and magic.
Making Meaning - A 2-Day Process Workshop
Life is a constant search for answers, for an understanding of life's secrets and wonders. Occasionally you can catch a fleeting glimpse of a universal truth, in an artfully crafted phrase, an image that draws you in or a work of art that touches your soul. What if you could plot a course that guided you to discover (or re-discover) your own unique path to express life's magic and wonder? This is a class for artists, writers, or anyone – both beginners and experienced - that enjoys self-discovery and making meaning
The most successful works of art are the ones that convey the soul of the maker. You know it when you see it, but how do you achieve it in your own work? This class will help you find and communicate what is in your soul. We will use music and movement, images and words, the written world of quotes, prose and poetry - freedoms and barriers that will shake your body and stir your soul. You will create inspired artwork using TAP transfers, word play, new color combinations and spontaneous responses to your new awareness. These tools will help you awaken your soul and stretch your creativity. There will be fun solo and group assignments, color and word play and many surprises.
You will create your own, unique-to-you, colorful, handmade, book full of artwork, discoveries and guideposts that you will be able to return and refer to again and again. You've learned so many art techniques, now find out how to create the magic and follow your star. Leave your ego at the door and come prepared to look at your artmaking experience in a new way.
(This class is a combination of Navigation & Shake the Body - Creativity on Steroids)
Navigation - Charting a Course to Your Soul
Life is a constant search for answers, for an understanding of life's secrets and wonders. Occasionally you can catch a fleeting glimpse of a universal truth, in an artfully crafted phrase, an image that draws you in or a work of art that touches your soul. What if you could plot a course that guided you to discover your own unique path to life's magic and wonder?
In this class, you will become the navigator and your captain will be Lesley, a certified creativity coach. Your guides will be image, music and the written world of quotes, prose and poetry; which you will use to chart a course to find and follow you inner soul, a course that will guide you in your life and add magic to your art. There will be fun solo and group assignments, color and word play and many surprises.
You will create your own celestial map, a unique-to-you, colorful, handmade, spiral bound book full of your art, discoveries and guideposts that you will be able to refer to again and again on your journey through life. The class lasts a day, but the magic lasts a lifetime. You've learned so many art techniques, now find out how to create the magic and follow your star.
Lectures
Image Printing and Transfer: A Demo/Lecture
Learn how to successfully print or transfer your photos and artwork to fabric.
This demo-lecture will demystify the variety of transfers you can do with TAP Transfer Artist Paper. Lesley will demonstrate and discuss preparing photos for fabric printing and transfers as well as the pros and cons of various transfer methods, printers and inks. Lots of samples will be passed around.
Making Time for Making Quilts
Discover the 23 time (and attitude) management secrets that turned Lesley Riley, a working mother of 6 and lapsed quilter into an internationally known artist, author, workshop instructor, magazine editor and now entrepreneur.
Title and description can also be re-worded to appeal to a mixed media art audience.
The Fabric of My Life
Lesley Riley began quilting in 1971 but didn’t hit her stride until 2000. Find out what happened in-between, how she found her way and where she is headed now. An illustrated story.
Wanting More...and How to Get It
Wanting more is essential to successfully accomplishing your quilt-related goals and dreams. If your plans are stalled, your dreams derailed, if you're not sure what you want or what your next step is, this lecture will get you on track and give you specific tools and actions to get what you on track to where you want to be, and more.