Slide Lectures and Workshops:

Margaret Cusack is an illustrator who creates “realism in stitchery and fabric.” However, she is also a well-known lecturer, having presented to The Society of Illustrators, NYC’s Art Directors Club, Pratt Institute, Syracuse University, Studio Art Quilt Associates, The Cleveland Museum of Art, South Carolina State Museum and many other universities, art organizations and quilt guilds.

Among the publications that have featured Cusack’s work are Print, How, Art Quilt, Surface, Needlearts, Quilters Newsletter, The Professional Quilter, Fiberarts and In Step Magazine. Her clients include American Express; Aunt Millie's; Avon; Bloomingdale's; Dell; Howard Johnson; Little, Brown & Co.; Macmillan; Maxwell House Coffee; Sony Music; The New York Times; Peek Freans; RCA; Reader's Digest; Seagram's; Singer and Texaco. Commissions include: a quilted United States Thanksgiving postage stamp and stitched illustrations for AT&T, The Wall Street Journal, Harcourt, and Fisher Price. Cusack has written a book, Picture Your World in Appliqué, which includes seven projects and more than 200 color photographs. It was published by Watson-Guptill Publications and is available at bookstores, online book sellers and at Cusack’s presentations.

Since 1972, Cusack’s stitched art has graced the covers of your books, the pages of your newspapers, the decorative plates on your wall and even the stamps that you put on your envelopes. Her slide lecture/workshops have energized and enlightened artists, quilters, students, and the general public all over the United States.

The following is information on two of Cusack’s presentations. “Illustrating the Fabric of Life” and “The Art of the Commission” each last forty minutes and “The Art of the Commission” can be expanded into an eighty-minute or two hour workshop format. Cusack’s success with her unconventional artwork truly inspires audiences. The “Illustrating the Fabric of Life” slide lecture gives an overview of the commissions that she has completed, as well as a “how-to” series that shows an actual assignment. “The Art of the Commission” slide lecture includes advice and exercises in promotion, contracts, presentation and negotiation.

"Illustrating the Fabric of Life Slide Lecture"
This slide lecture will inspire viewers with an overview of Cusack’s thirty-one year career creating award-winning stitched artwork, as well as a “how-to” series that leads you through an actual assignment – from the initial concept sketches to the finished artwork: a step-by-step slide sequence of a Reader's Digest record cover commission, “God Bless the USA.”

“Illustrating the Fabric of Life” begins with Cusack's early influences as a young artist and ends with her more innovative current work. This slide lecture will inspire your audience with her unusual niche of creating realistic stitched artwork for illustrations and architectural commissions.
Included in “Illustrating the Fabric of Life”:

- early influences as a young artist
- “how-to” development of several illustration assignments
- innovative work with cut fabric and bright patterns
- how licensing her artwork has broadened her affect on the public

"The Art of the Commission"
Success is when “opportunity meets preparation.” But, how do you get an assignment? How do you negotiate the best price? And, how can you follow through so that both artist and client feel that they've succeeded? For many reasons, the business side of being an artist is not usually well absorbed in college. And, many artists take a lifetime learning how to be a professional in the art world. Or, worse yet they give up on making money with their artwork or give up on their art. Margaret Cusack will teach you how to approach your work as a business person and therefore help you succeed as an artist. Benefit from her years of experience as an artist in fabric and stitchery.

“The Art of the Commission” addresses the questions: How do you get a commission? How to negotiate the best price? How do you follow through so that both client and artist feel they have succeeded? Cusack gives advice on:

- how to create a professional presentation
- how to set goals for your career
- how to create supportive networks
- how to promote your work
- how to approach your work as a professional

“The Art of the Commission” shows sketches and other preliminary steps of many examples of her popular stitched artwork, including a step-by-step slide sequence of a major architectural commission, “A Time for Hope.”

Besides the inspiring words and images of her slide lecture/workshop, you will also benefit from Cusack’s 28-page informational packet ($5.00 additional per person) which includes promotional tips, sample contracts, and negotiating techniques. The timely suggestions of “The Art of the Commission” will help advance your career as an artist. Benefit from Margaret Cusack’s thirty-three years of experience as an illustrator/artist.

"Create a Nostalgic Portrait Slide Lecure/Workshop"

This slide lecture/workshop includes step-by-step instructions on how to work from a photograp, create a pattern, choose fabrics and then create a unique machine-appliqued portrait. (Duration: one day; can be expanded to a two-day or three-day workshop.)

Fee Structure
The fee for each lecture is $450. One-day workshops are $600. A two-day workshop is $550 per day. A second lecture or workshop on the same day is an additional $350. Travel and housing expenses are additional. For educational and other nonprofit institutions, there is some flexibility in pricing. Please call for more information and/or to arrange scheduling.

At all workshops and lectures, Cusack presents examples of her artwork and step-by-step displays of her stitched artwork technique. Also available for sale are books, puzzles, posters, and cards. Updated: August 12, 2005