Abstracting from Art at Empty Spools 2026

I had a blast at Empty Spools Seminars teaching my Abstracting from Art class in April-May 2026!

I had 16 engaged students in one of the most beautiful classrooms I’ve ever had the privilege to teach in. Lots of windows and a view of the ocean every day.

Abstracting from Art is a design class. My goal is to teach students to be more aware of their surroundings and the things that inspire them or bring them joy, and then turn those inspirations into original quilt designs. If we can train our eyes to see that way, we’re never at a loss for creative inspirations again.

Each student brought an image of a painting, photograph, landscape, or anything else they found inspiring. The idea is not to replicate that image exactly, but to use the colors, the shapes, or the energy, or perhaps all three, to create a new piece of art in fabric and thread.

First I gave a presentation about some of the pieces I’ve made using this concept, along with the photos I started with to give them an idea of how to apply their ideas.

Then each student shared the images they wanted to work from, and we talked about how they might use Improv techniques to create the design.

Then they got to work! Over the course of 5 days, we were able to do a deep dive into techniques, design issues, and puzzling the constructions together.

I was so proud of how much they got done! Each student left with a design that was either finished or close enough to being finished that they had a clear path forward at home.

 

On the last day, each student gave a short presentation on where they started and what they accomplished.

 

 

Empty Spools takes place at the Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, CA each year. There are 8-10 teachers over 5 one week sessions. Asilomar is right on the Pacific Ocean, so I was able to take long walks on the beach each morning.

 

 

Each teacher gives a short, 9 minute presentation in the evenings about their work and their classes. It was fun to meet new people that I had only known on Instagram, like Jenny Haynes above. She is @pappersaxten on Instagram and she does these amazing precision pieced quilts that are so eye catching! The quilt behind her on the stage of the polar bear is by the artist in residence for the session Janet Fogg.

One night of the week all the teachers go out to dinner together to get to know each other better. From left around the table we had Sue Benner, Gloria Loughman, Timna Tarr, Maria Shell, Jenny Haynes, David Taylor, Barbara Black, me, and Kevin Womack. It was a great group of talented artists!

I will be back at Empty Spools in 2027 teaching Artful Improv Medallion. Registration opens on June 20, 2026 and I would encourage you to take a look at the amazing offerings available! I’m in Session 2 March 5 – 10, 2027. Even if you’ve taken a medallion class before, everyone does it a little differently and I’d love to have you in class!