“Collaging Gel Printed Paper” with Gemma Fletcher

 Gemma is originally from the United Kingdom and lives and works in West Michigan. She is currently the Education Manager at the Holland Area Arts Council.

Gemma’s work is primarily concerned with her obsession with color and surface decoration. She finds her subject matter from the everyday: a cup of tea drunk from a chipped china cup, clashing textiles or a walk in the landscape where she collects plant forms to print with. She uses a variety of materials but her work usually incorporates elements of paint, print, collage and stitch. Gemma’s work aims to create a joyful atmosphere.

Gemma received her B.A. and M.A. in Fine Art from the University of Central England UK.

There is just so much color in her work, truly a wonderful afternoon with Gemma.  She showed us a slide show of many of her works, brought several sketch books for us to look through and a table full of wonderful pieces of art. She also talked about how her Grandmother was a special influence in her life and her art. Gemma is also influenced by artist Mike Hearld, a British artist known for collages and prints. Very interesting art.

A few supplies she mentioned were Brusho Dye, Astrobrites Paper, often just cheap paint at least at first for background, and Jackson's Art Supplies for sketch books.

Gemma is on Facebook and Instagram. Lots of photos to look at.

Remember to left click on a picture to enlarge, then hit the little x in the corner to close out.

Her Tulip painting was in the top 20 for the Tulip Festival.

Gemma found not using a true perspective was more fun and
would show more detail.

Lots of layers

Many of her collages are drawn with scissors, as she calls it,
then printed and then stitched.

Sketchbook Sample

Show and Tell

Lots of wonderful Shibori pieces that members dyed at Jennifer's class.

Gargi

Eileen

Jane

Sorry Jane, I did not get very good pictures of your items.
If you send me pictures I will add them.

Jennifer

Jennifer's shibori stitched and indigo dyed pieces.

Linda

Wonderful Jacket Linda.

Alicia 

Marie

Marie has been busy dyeing.

Coleen

Priscilla

A year ago after reading Tommye Scanlin’s book MARKING TIME,  I embarked on a one year challenge to weave a 4” x 4” tapestry every week. As a weaving prompt, I picked a design inspiration card and a technique card from decks I had written up. I limited my colors to black, white and one color (+ shades).  All my supplies fit in a small box including the small frame loom which made it very portable. The result was a year long journal of my artistic growth.  A very rewarding experience.

Priscilla also dyed and made this beautiful top.

Judy

Jusy did not make the hat, very clever though how
someone put beads around the brim.

She did make the scarf using wash away stabilizer and wool,
felting and adding as she wanted.

This is a work in progress.  The weaving part is the technique that Boisali Biswas
showed us in April, 2025

Julie

Julie found a good use for her Cyanotype designs.

She has been busy Eco dyeing pieces.

Pensive Portrait

Wendy

Wendy made her jacket.  Quilted but without batting.

She made this mosaic out of the fabrics above, which were designed

especially for Grand Haven. She didn't think they were a good reflection of Grand haven, so she

cut them up in 3/8" pieces.  This will be a challenge at the Quilt Retreat in December.

Wendy took a class from Cindy Grisdela to learn this Improv technique.

Misc. Close Ups of Show and Tell

Checking out Show and Tell

Quilt Assistant

A free program to draw out Paper Pieced Patterns or curvy patterns.

Great to use to try out colors for any project. Very nice manual and

a forum with help too.    Wendy Rice

I also put the link on the Links Page.  Check out the other pages

and send me recipes or other information to share.