Sculpted Threads, and more at ESSA

This week at ESSA, the place is buzzing with creativity and students galore. Three classes are simultaneously being taught in entirely different mediums.

Watercolor painting by Marlene Gremillion is by far the largest class and is just oozing with great works on paper. Local sculptor, Jim Wallace is teaching Metal Sculpture outdoors. They are using plasma cutters, acetylene torches, and drinking lots of water no doubt to stay hydrated. It's in the 90's this week and very humid. They are truly sweating for their art out there, but seem to be enjoying it all!

And then there is a small class of three students, taught by Jan Hawks, in a fiber technique Jan developed herself, she calls sculpted threads. This is the class I took, and let me admit, it has been a real challenge for me. As a novice fiber artist myself, I figured this would be a natural class for me, but, I have struggled with it all week. Rather than show you some of the crude items I managed to eek out, instead I have Jan's permission to show you some pieces she has recently finished. I think you'll agree they are amazing and intriguing. Jan points out that these pieces are essentially entirely constructed from thread and embellished with beads.

Jan has authored a book, Sculpted Threads available from Amazon.com
I highly recommend anyone who wants to try to learn this technique study her book and directions for projects inside, as well as work on a powerful and well-made sewing machine, as Jan points out, "one which you can drop the feed dogs on and do free motion embroidery." My little Singer sung it's heart out, quite literally this week. It might be time for a new sewing machine!

Contributed by Dana Jones, ESSA student, board member, blog enthusiast, and sewing machine manipulator. Photos of artwork are copyright protected by Jan Hawks, and used by permission.