Author: susanfurneaux

Summer Workshops with Susan Furneaux

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Natural Dye, Silk, Caribou Hair

Fancy Work at The Rocket                               

In conjunction with the exhibit Bunty’s Umbrellas, at Rocket Bakery, Susan Furneaux will host a Fancy Work drop-in workshop at the Rocket from 7 to 9:30 pm on Tuesday, May 16 . Drop by, have a cup of tea and introduce yourself to the traditional skill of hand embroidery. All skill levels welcome. $10 fee includes all materials.

 

 

 

Caribou hair tufting.

Caribou and Moose

Hair Tufting

Saturday, June 3, 10am – 3pm,

Lester Garland House, Trinity, NL

Explore the traditional and creative embroidery technique of tufting. By combining basic embroidery stitches with metal threads, beads and caribou or moose hair, create a one of a kind piece suitable for framing. All skill levels welcome. $50 includes all materials.

For more information and to register, contact blackhenstudio@gmail.com

 

En plein air

Shibori and Natural Dyes

Aster on Silk

Saturday July 29, 10 – 4pm, Trinity NL

Jump into the exciting world of natural colour and layering of pattern on cloth. With simple stitching and local plants, create a one of a kind piece of silk cloth. $35 includes all materials. workshop. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, the workshop will be held indoors.

For more information and to register, contact blackhenstudio@gmail.com

 

Botanicals of Newfoundland

17th Century Raised Embroidery

Colony of Avalon, Ferryland, NL

Saturday, July 15th, 9am – 5pm  

With silk, metal threads and traditional hand embroidery create a small stumpwork piece inspired by the wildflowers of Newfoundland. Fashionable in the 17th century, raised embroidery or stumpwork was a decorative art created by young girls to showcase skill with a needle. All skill levels welcome. Participants should bring a small pair of scissors. Register through Colony of Avalon, registration details TBA.

 

Exploring Colour of the 17th Century

Natural Dye on Silk

Colony of Avalon, Ferryland, NL

Saturday, August 19th 10 am – 5 pm

Susan Furneaux will lead you through a journey into the past as you discover the magical world of 17th century colour. After a brief lecture, visit the Colony’s gardens for an interpretive tour of historical dye plants. Following the tour, you guided through the creation of your dyed mas
terpiece using local and exotic natural dyes. As we will be outside for part of the day, please wear weather appropriate clothing. Register through Colony of Avalon, registration details TBA.

 

Self Portrait by Kimberly Clarke, 2016

Art Dolls – An Introduction

Dozen Odd Gallery, Carbonear, NL

Saturday July 8, 9 am– 4 pm

Introduce yourself to the world of one of a kind Art Dolls. Each doll is an exciting opportunity for creative expression through textile and mixed media techniques. Starting with the basics you will create a ‘cookie cutter ‘ form and embellish it to create a doll with a personality as unique as you are. This fun, laid back class with cover the basics of cloth doll construction, clothing, face and hair options as well as mixed media techniques. Participants are encouraged to bring along some of their own materials to personalize their creations. All skill levels welcome. Cost: $65 includes most materials. Space is limited. For more information and to register, contact blackhenstudio@gmail.com

 

 

Contemporary Embroidered Landscapes

Dozen Odd Gallery, Carbonear, NL

Saturday August 5, 9 am– 4 pm

Landscapes created by students Kayla Pelly (top and left) and Bruno Vinhas (bottom right).

Create your own beautiful landscape, with contemporary hand stitching techniques. Bring along a photo or sketch the view from the Gallery window to create your masterpiece. Topics discussed in class will include: basic colour theory for landscapes, sequence of working, simple stitches, contemporary quilt techniques, incorporating mixed media and mounting/framing options. You will finish a 5” x 7” landscape suitable for framing. All skill levels welcome. Space is limited. Cost: $50 includes most materials. For more information and to register, contact blackhenstudio@gmail.com

Stitching Prayer Flags

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chicken-headTaking advantage of the mauzy weather to mount some embroideries for a Prayer Flag exhibition at the Craft Council Gallery. This series of work is about astronomical events that shape our seasons. As as it was for my ancestors, every aspect of my life is seasonal and comes with different tasks and mindsets; finding comfort in those patterns . While I embrace every season, I do miss the light in winter. The summer solstice is bittersweet; the height of growth in all things with the sun waning with shorter days. My favourite is the winter solstice. Dark, cozy and with a hint of sparkle, it is the beginning of the steady climb to light and warmth. The winter solstice is all about hope and the promise of a better year ahead.

This piece was created to honour May Day, the cross-quarter day that falls between the vernal equinox and the summer solstice. May Day is also referred to as the Feast of St. Joseph (Catholic), Beltane (Ireland),  Calendimaggio (Italy) and Vappu (Finland) to name just a few.

May Day is created with naturally dyed silk , vintage lace, metal threads, rooster skull and feathers.

Prayer Flags will feature work from artists across Canada. Curated by Anna Murphy and Alexe Hanlon the show will be on display at the Craft Council Gallery in early May, 2017