Painting with Fabric

“Spring’s First Sunrise” by Susan Hoffman.

Susan Hoffmann of Oshkosh and Baileys Harbor will exhibit her unique fiber art at the UU Gallery in May. A reception, open to the public, is scheduled for May 26, 2 – 4 pm.

Hoffmann’s artworks are representational landscapes created with layers of fabrics, using fabric collage and raw-edge applique techniques and occasionally finishing with pastel or ink.

Hoffman is self-taught. She uses hand-painted cotton, hand-dyed cotton, and cotton batiks to create paintings. Inspiration for these landscapes starts with a photograph she has taken; many of these landscapes are Door County scenes. She works from the back of a scene, forward, hand cutting each element of composition from different types of cotton fabrics. No patterns or templates are used. The intricately cut pieces are layered, one over the other, to recreate the scene. Most of her artwork requires 10-12 different fabrics, 4 to 6 layers, and hundreds (thousands?) of hand-cut pieces to complete.

Susan teaches her technique and is scheduled to present a one-day workshop at the Clearing Folk School on July 12. Her work can currently be seen at Greco Gallery in Sturgeon Bay.

UU Gallery hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1 – 3 pm and Sunday from 11 am – 12:30 pm.

The UU Gallery is located at 10341 Highway 42 in Ephraim. For more information visit http://www.uufdc.com.