Sue Benner, artist, teacher, author 03-31-23

I have taken many classes from Sue Benner and always learn something new.  Even this third time in the landscape class was an eye opener.  She presents information in a way that I can understand and gives one-on-one suggestions for the work being done by each student.  She has made samples to help illustrate her techniques.  Here are the samples she had at the class and also some from the previous week when she taught her Flower class.  

For a  pathway through the trees she laid down the mountains, mid-level, and close  up of the path  before constructing the trees. 

See all the shadows done with small bits of varied colored fabrics. 

Working from the top (sky), middle (fields), and close up (grasses). 

Entire background is  built and very close up grasses added. 

Going crazy with strips and squares and very  thin grasses applied on top. 

Difference in values to show distance.  

 From the flower class................

The flowers are cut freehand in different sizes and applied to a background square.  These are then arranged in the different rows - 9-patch, 16-patch, etc. 

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Home again. 03-30-23

Class was over yesterday, Wednesday, at noon.  I had a little car problem so looked up a mechanic in PGrove and got an okay to drive home.  Stopped at Back Porch in their new location.  The fabric selection is just as wonderful, but miss the gallery and the spaciousness of the old place.  Then I made one more cruise of Sunset Street that goes along the Bay, quite a few walkers and rock climbers and dog walkers and bicycles - just the usual crowd.  But it was chilly and somewhat windy. Then on the road toward home.  Some showers and construction, but made it to Harris Ranch before dark.  Settled into my room, took a shower and collapsed about 8:30pm!!  Coupla' pit stops during the night, but up and ready do go at 8am.  I had thought to have steak and eggs for breakfast, the HRanch beef is the best, but the menu prices dissuaded  me,  $35  - $53 for breakfast is beyond my ken!  Settled for prime rib benedict at $20+.   Ate half and had  the other half for dinner tonight  - but ate both eggs this morning.  Leftover eggs don't appeal to me! \

On the road again.  Weather was moving clouds, some peeks of blue sky, a few showers, and a little gusty wind.  Light traffic.  There was a deluge going over the Ridge Route/Grapevine, but the temp was 41F so no snow.  Everyone slowed down and drove carefully and soon we were all safely on the south side.  Cloudy, but no more rain.    Home at last about 2pm.  Emptied the car, but  didn't put anything away.  Arranged to pick KoKo up tomorrow morning and then collapsed again.  I have NO stamina these days along with the sciatica pain and now a pulled shoulder.   Ain't easy getting old, eh?  So, I slept for about three hours and then started putting everything away.  It will take a long time, I think.  

On Sunset there are a number of places to pull out and watch the waves.  And the people, dogs, birds, ground squirels.  The other side of the bay is just a sketch of medium blue. 

Dark clouds with just a tiny patch of blue.  Fields of yellow flowers - which I cannot think of the name of at the moment.  Not poppies or mustard - very low growing like a carpet of gold.  

Not a lot of traffic!  The clouds hide the north side of the mountains.  

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Empty Spools at Asilomar 03-27-23

My laptop is telling me there is a "Connection issue try again later" so no pictures tonight.

All is going well, Sue Benner is such a great teacher, so helpful and so non-judgmental.  There are 20 ladies in the class and only a few are non-stop talkers.  I am so accustomed to working in silence that all the chatter is distracting.  We are in Merrill Hall so there is always noise from the shop and people crossing through the building only one door on each side is open due to the high winds.  I am only "playing", not going to make any prize winning quilts.   Right now I am going to bed so I will have a little vim and vigor in he morning.  G'night!

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