Year of the Dragon/Dragonfly Class
Online Course
with Christine Shively-Benjamin
Class Description
The Year of the Dragon/Dragonfly class creates a mythical creature and one from the natural world, from wool blended felt, polyfil, thread and floral wire. Creating these two creatures will require basic hand sewing skills.
Together we will create: A Dragon based on my interpretation of the classic Chinese Dragon. And a charming dragonfly adds to the mix. Running stitches and predominantly the Blanket stitch will be used in the construction and assembly of our flights of fantasy and reality.
The structure of these creatures is a little too sophisticated to fall into the category of Primitive. However, not sophisticated enough to fall into thecategory of Realistic. It is somewhere in between. There is a simplicity of line that creates a recognizable silhouette for each creature.
There are many recurring forms, layering of shapes and manipulations that will be employed in the creation of the three dimensional creatures. The class will provide opportunities to discuss the technique, construction and the expansion of ideas with in person Zoom meetings in addition to a short video and PDFs.
Private Facebook group for class comments and questions.
Goals and Objectives
There are a number of goals and objectives that will be achieved in this class. Observing the basic silhouette and characteristics of the Dragon and Dragonfly, and breaking down the components will enable the student to create what is in the class. Those skills can be expanded to empower the student to break down the shapes and volume of the dimensions and take the intimidation factor out of assembling a new choice of animal.
The vast horizon of possibilities that can be created from basic shapes like circles, hearts, tear drops and tubes. Layering and overlapping, the addition of a gusset to expand a flat figure will be explored. Ideas and discussion in the Zoom sessions will enhance the creative experience.
Elementary sewing stitches can take the student a long way. Creating volume with a running stitch, manipulating shapes and playing with proportions are great tools that can be drawn upon in future projects.
The small but important details of finishing each item will be stressed.
Efficient methods of cutting components and resources will be shared.
Experimentation with proportion and manipulation of materials will be a feature to inspire the student to create this selection of winged creatures.
Christine Shively-Benjamin
My doll art took root in my joy of finding a penny in the lining of a pocket. First impression is not worth much but with imagination, innovation, experimentation I would apply my life experiences to create my fabric figures. Turning the mundane into the marvelous has been a driving force in my life. I create opportunities in unlikely places.
The long doll art journey I have been on is a kind of three dimensional diary. The pages are crammed with the things that have sparked my imagination. The dolls are a result of a lifetime love affair with fabric, drawing and painting hand sewing and thread, portraiture, ethnic and historic costume and the desire to tell a story using the doll as the vehicle.
Experimentation, improvisation and discovery allow for the incorporation of the historic and cross cultural reference points, fashion, textiles and embellishment that has been my lifelong inspiration. The combination of observation with fantasy and imagination fuse the familiar with the foreign to create something new with a sense of inclusiveness.
Since experimentation is a guiding force it is not an accident that the fabric figures I create use the tools of improvisation. Yes...And...Agree and Add. Heighten and Explore.
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