🌺 Surface Design with Betty Busby

A five-day masterclass exploring texture, color, and innovation in fiber art

Join internationally recognized fiber artist Betty Busby for an in-depth, process-rich retreat that celebrates the creative freedom of surface design on fabric. Known for her vibrant color palettes and intricate layered textures, Betty brings a spirit of play and invention to every stage of the making process.

Over five inspiring days, you’ll experiment with color, texture, and mixed techniques that push the boundaries of fiber as a fine art medium. Through demonstration and guided exploration, Betty shares her methods for combining painting, printing, digital design, and stitch to achieve richly layered surfaces that reflect each artist’s unique voice.

You’ll leave with a series of experimental samples and a completed piece that integrates pattern, color, and dimensional design — ready for framing, quilting, or exhibition.

Retreat Flow

Day 1 – Color & Composition
Learn how Betty approaches color and structure. Explore underpainting, base cloth preparation, and design planning.

Days 2–4 – Surface & Structure
• Painting, stenciling, and resist techniques
• Layering with nontraditional materials
• Exploring transparency and depth through stitching and cutting
• Developing texture and relief with fiber and embellishment

Day 5 – Finishing & Reflection
Refine your compositions, add stitch or detail, and share your work in a final group review and discussion.

Studio Environment
Work in Aya’s spacious, light-filled coastal studio in Stuart, Florida — designed for creativity, comfort, and collaboration. Each artist enjoys ample workspace (no more than two per 4′×8′ table), power, USB access, and full use of dye and mixed-media facilities.

Enjoy morning coffee, tea, and pastries, personalized lunch pickups, and an optional group dinner at a favorite local waterfront restaurant midweek.

Details
Instructor: Betty Busby
Dates: April 13–17, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuition: $1,180
Skill Level: All Levels
Materials Fee: Additional (details provided upon registration)
Class Size: Limited to 10 participants

Discover the joy of experimentation and the boundless possibilities of fiber — where paint, print, and stitch merge into luminous, textural art.