Mixed Media: Paint and Thread Sampler

In this hands-on 3-hour workshop, artist Sarah K. Benning will guide participants in the creation of a mixed media sampler piece exploring gouache and thread on paper.

 

Using a limited palette, Sarah will demonstrate some basic colour mixing and discuss basic colour theory before demonstrating a series of stitches that work well on paper.  While this class references the embroidery tradition of a sampler-style piece--an embroidery that allows the stitcher to practice and display a number of stitch techniques--Sarah's approach to stitching often departs from the traditional methods and embraces a sense of creative exploration and experimentation. Solidly rooted in the idea that there is no wrong way to create or express oneself through embroidery, all participants are encouraged to let go of perfectionism and dig deep into the process.

 

Sarah grew up in Baltimore city and had the good fortune of attending the Baltimore School for the Arts before continuing her education and receiving a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2013. For the past 10 years, Sarah has been a working artist creating one of a kind original embroideries, designing monthly DIY embroidery patterns, producing small batch embroidery kits, and teaching workshops around the world. Inspired by houseplants and mid-century design, Sarah draws and stitches each and every piece created in the studio. She loves the slow, intentional, and meditative qualities of embroidery and can’t think of a better way to spend her time than curled up on the couch with some stitching, a warm beverage, and the family cat Quiqueue.