I heart PNCA

I should have had this post up a week ago, but I've been sewing like a fiend and on the road.

I had an amazing time at PNCA. Josh Moon and all of his peeps do an amazing job at putting together and running a really incredible Continuing Education program for the college. Their "Summer of Making" is truly unparalleled in the higher education art world. So, if you see a class that interests you, take a trip to Portland. You will not be disappointed, and you might even find yourself a new career.

The class was fantastic. Everyone was so wonderful and committed. I always find it interesting that at the beginning of a pattern design workshop a percentage of the class will say, "well... I don't really draw..." and then almost immediately after I show them how to begin repeating a pattern, and they start to make their first transfer, the fear is gone, and somehow everyone knows how to draw. Pattern has a way of doing that.

We talked a lot about the biz which I think is a great thing, and I love to share, because I want people to do whatever it is they want to do. And often times, people don't even see textile design as something that THEY could do, so I like to be the tap on the shoulder or the kick in the pants that tells you that this is for you if you want it to be.

Printing was a joy. On the second day we block printed and the third we silk screened.

It was really nice to be back in a printmaking studio. PNCA has a great setup, but it's comforting to me that all printmaking studios are pretty much the same room picked up and moved to another city/ building.... that is of course not including PNCA's exposure unit and rinsing room. Holy Cow!!!! This table could fit like 8 large screens on it, had a vacuum table on it, and then actually rotated to get exposed to the light. Fancy Schmancy. I was impressed.

I also want to say how grateful I was to Magena. She was awesome to have as part of the class and make the printmaking studio differences disappear for me.

But most of all I want to say how grateful I am to the students, whether you traveled from down the street, or from Michigan. I am grateful and thankful that your search or desire to learn led us together. As silly as it sounds, I truly hope that pattern design and printmaking can add to the color in your life. That it helps you follow your dream or your heart or whatever to being a little more satisfied and content with the choices you make in your life.

here are some pictures I stole, of me with my new peeps.

to much fabric design/ printmaking love for you?

I also want to send a big hug and shout out to Sarah Moon! She took most all of the pics for the flickr group. And she's just one of my peeps.

If you want to read a few other accounts of the weekend, hop over...

here

here

or here.

I also had a really great time with the Modern Domestic ladies that fantastic Friday. They run a tight/ beautiful ship, and I love talking shop with peeps who want to change the world. I also love sushi, so things don't get much better than that. Also, now everyone knows that my "zap embroidery" is just a ploy to get peeps to finish things.

Up next, the Makerie.