For several years, I’ve been using a technique I call “Stencil Magic” in some of my work. It’s a super fun way to create interesting layering and transparency, and wonderful color.
I’ve scaled back my travel to teach and speak significantly since moving to Chapel Hill in late 2019. Part of this was forced on me because of Covid. But I also discovered that I loved spending more time in my studio, and the amount of work I was creating significantly increased. I found that I started selling more work, partly because of my participation in the Orange County Artist Guild Studio Tour (the first two weekends in November), and focusing on making work for exhibitions.
I’ve enjoyed doing presentations for lots of guilds via Zoom, and I also teach for nearby guilds, depending on the craziness of my schedule.
But I really love teaching near home! If you live locally and want to hear about the local classes I teach, please sign up for my occasional e-newsletter here: https://susanbrubakerknapp.com/contact
My full schedule is here: https://susanbrubakerknapp.com/schedule
This year, I'm teaching these classes locally:
STENCIL MAGIC – SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2026
Old Murphey School, Durham, NC, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Get information and register here: https://susanbrubakerknapp.corsizio.com/
WHOLECLOTH PAINTING: BARNYARD – SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2026
Old Murphey School, Durham, NC, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Get information and register here: https://susanbrubakerknapp.corsizio.com/
NEEDLETURN APPLIQUÉ FOR BEGINNERS – SATURDAY, AUG. 15, 2026
Old Murphey School, Durham, NC, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Get information and register here: https://susanbrubakerknapp.corsizio.com/
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Here’s more about the Stencil Magic class:
You’ll create a vibrant art quilt using simple imagery, acrylic paints and stencils. We paint and stencil in class, and you take a small quilt top home to quilt (this means no lugging your machine; yea!). The supply list is pretty short, because I provide all the paint.
You’ll begin one or two original projects, learning how to work with acrylic paints to create a background, then stencil pattern onto the background and then paint around the imagery. (In the examples below, the imagery is things like ferns, leaves, lanterns, lettering, or hands). I bring some imagery and stencils you can use, or you can bring your own.
Here are some examples:
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