Donna Bray-Zakreski Workshops

Welcome to my Workshops page.

I have been creating and pursuing artistic endeavors as well as sewing for as long as I can remember. To be able to share my knowledge and skills is important to me. I love to teach, guess that is why I have been an elementary school teacher for thirty plus years. Now my life passion is creating art quilts. It is a joy to be able to empower my students with renewed enthusiasm and expertise.

You will find my workshops and presentation to be done in a professional manner. Student's come first with me. I teach art for School District Pro-D and do have a large portfolio as an educator.  I teach art to elementary students, as well. I want my students to feel; comfortable with the techniques taught during the classes and inspired.

My workshops begin with a digital presentation to provide an introduction and overview. I strive to give one-to-one support while the students begin honing their skills. Students are encouraged to play, experiment and create, enjoying the process so they can use their newly acquired skills when they return home. They are welcome to contact me at home before or after taking the workshop.

The following are my current Workshops and Presentations. Each includes a description, material and/or supplies list and requirements for hosting organization.

Presentation
• INSPIRED TO QUILT

Workshops
• FABRIC PAINT PLAY DAY
• MACHINE QUILTING
• A BRUSH WITH CLOTH
• PHOTO TO PAINTED PIECE
• PAINTED PIECE TO MASTERPIECE

Booking information is located at the end of the descriptions.

Inspired to Quilt
Connecting the Threads From Roots to Art Quilts
Presentation with Donna Bray-Zakreski

Ever wondered about the journey of an artist-quilter?  What guided them from modest beginnings to showing internationally?  What has inspired their work?  Why have they chosen certain subject matter? Donna talks about her passion of art quilts.  She will take you on a guided tour from her quilting roots to her present day painting of figures on fabric. Overall, her work is influenced by spirit and nature. Lately she has been inspired by photos captured on her travels to Mexico, especially those relating to the world of nature. The talk is guided with a digital slide show of her quilts along a trunk show of selected work.

Information: Donna 250.247.9891
diva4quilts@donnabrayzakreski.com

Fabric Paint Play Day
Rekindling your creative light
Workshop with Donna Bray-Zakreski

Rekindle your creative light.
Take this opportunity to experiment with cloth and fabric paints and other surface design elements during this one day workshop. Fabric paint will colour fabric quickly creating uniquely appealing surfaces for stitch.

• stamping
• stenciling
• using resists
• monoprinting
• creating fabric for landscapes
• putting all the techniques together
• inkjet printing on fabric - the basics

Leave with a booklet of techniques and samples. Wear an apron or suitable clothing.

MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 20
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Beginner to Intermediate
TIME: 6 hours
REQUIREMENTS: A room with outside access is preferred. Suitable table space is needed. Water for clean-up, preferably with a sink. A projector screen for a digital presentation.
Paint could be made available in class if arrangements are made in advance.

Information: Donna 250.247.9891 Supply List (pdf)
diva4quilts@donnabrayzakreski.com

Machine Quilting
Mastering Your Machine
Workshop with Donna Bray-Zakreski

Master your Machine.
Your sewing machine can be a creative drawing tool when doing free motion quilting. Learn techniques that will increase your comfort and control level. Learn to create your own style of machine quilting.

• a matter of comfort - ergonomics/lighting
• choosing threads and needles
• a matter of thread and tension
• building a quilt sandwich
• starting and stopping
• many patterns to practice
• creation of your own designs

Leave with a booklet of techniques and samples.

MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 20
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Beginner to Intermediate
TIME: 6 hours
REQUIREMENTS: A room that has power outlets for each person running a sewing machine. Enough table space is required for each participant. A projector screen for a digital presentation. Thread could be made available in class if arrangements are made in advance.

Information: Donna 250.247.9891 Supply List (pdf)
diva4quilts@donnabrayzakreski.com

A Brush with Cloth
Painting Pizzazz
Workshop with Donna Bray-Zakreski

Take this opportunity to experiment and create an original art piece using Tsukineko All-Purpose Ink. Fabric ink resembles working in water colour. Learn several techniques to bring your ideas to life on fabric.

• brush & aloe vera
• highlighting
• Fantastic applicators
• shading
• learn to paint details
• add dimension
• drawings provided

Leave with a booklet of techniques and a painted sample piece to be machine quilted.

MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 20
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Beginner to Intermediate
TIME: 6 hours
REQUIREMENTS: Table space for each student. Water for clean up, preferably with a sink. Adequate lighting for painting. A projector screen for a digital presentation. Inks, Fantastix, and markers could be made available in class if arrangements are made in advance.

Information: Donna 250.247.9891 Supply List (pdf)
diva4quilts@donnabrayzakreski.com

Photo to Painted Piece
Painting Panache
Workshop with Donna Bray-Zakreski

Progress from photo to art work, ready to be quilted. If you found painting or colouring as a child a joyous event then pick up from where you left off. Fabric inks resemble working in watercolour. Choose a suitable photo to enlarge before leaving home (email Donna for choosing and enlarging a photo. Animals, yes, but not for photos of people). You can, also, choose from one of Donna’s preselected photos. No drawing or painting experience necessary.

• prepare the photo for use as a template
• prepare the cloth
• transfer photo marks to the prepared cloth
• guidance for painting of specific pieces
• colour choices and colour mixing
• applicator methods: brush or Fantastic
• shading and highlighting
• successfully painting details
• adding dimension

Leave with your contour drawing on cloth. Your ink colours and application methods decided on. A good portion of the painting completed.

MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 20
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Intermediate to Advanced
TIME: 6 hours
REQUIREMENTS: Table space for each student. Water for clean up, preferably with a sink. Adequate lighting for painting. A projector screen for a digital presentation. Inks, Fantastix, and markers could be made available in class if arrangements are made in advance.

Information: Donna 250.247.9891 Supply List (pdf)
diva4quilts@donnabrayzakreski.com

Painted Piece to Masterpiece
Finishing Finesse
Workshop with Donna Bray-Zakreski

Learn to machine quilt your representational, painted piece of art. View instructors work and samples. Machine quilting ideas will be discussed and planned before you quilt . Tweaking will happen while you work on your actual piece.

• create depth and dimension in your main painted subject
• quick review of the successful quilt sandwich
• starting and stopping techniques
• choose threads and needles, tension, etc.
• to block or not to block your quilt
• to border or not to border
• finishing with a facing or a small binding
• hanging your art work

Leave with notes and a plan for completing your piece. There will be time for you to get a good start on the completion of your representational piece of fabric art with the guidance of the instructor.

MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 20
EXPERIENCE LEVEL:
Intermediate to Advanced
TIME: 6 hours
REQUIREMENTS: A room that has power outlets for each person running a sewing machine. Enough table space is required for each participant along with their sewing machine. A projector screen for a digital presentation. Thread could be made available in class if arrangements are made in advance.

Information: Donna 250.247.9891 Supply List (pdf)
diva4quilts@donnabrayzakreski.com

Booking Information
I am available most Saturdays and Sundays. I can, however, make special arrangements for other days with enough notice as long as it doesn't conflict with my teaching job.

My six hour workshops are $450. per day with a maximum of twenty people.

My one hour presentation and trunk show is $175.

Travel expenses (vehicle @ $.50/km and ferry fare), meals and accommodation (unless billeted) will be paid for by the hosting organization.

I do supply my own irons, ironing boards, painting tools, etc.