michelle ward

New article - Banking Scents

The Autumn issue of Somerset Studio just arrived.  My column is an article about scent/fragrance/smells and how I use them to create associations with creativity.  Here's a sneak peek, which includes a workshop page I offer with labels for your scents.  I also show below a snippet with a collection of wax with a label from a favorite candle gifted from my dear friend Lisa Hoffman.  It's a treasure to have a friend who gets you, which she does...and we have similar taste in what we like to smell.  Hope you've been enjoying the summer!

 

New article - putting kcups to work in Repurposing Pods

Ooooh this was fun!  I'd been wanting to find an artful way to use the disposable pods and once I got started with these pieces it was non-stop fun.  Took a lot of work but it was worth it.  Magazine on the shelves May 1st, or you can order at Stampington.com

Here's a sneak peek:

 

New year + new article: In the Shadows

Happy New Year!  Hope your holidays were grand.

This just arrived - the Spring issue of Somerset Studio. Feels like I've waited a long time to see these boxes in print since I worked on them in July and August last year.  They were so much fun.  I began with the idea of making just one, but soon it morphed into a series of four.  Totally inspired by one of my faves: Louise Nevelson.  As I write in the article, my first exposure to her work was more than fifty years ago when I was not even ten years old.  She clearly has had a lasting impression on my and often influences my work.  I will plug in a few older pieces, from 2001 and 2013.  You'll also see me standing in front of one of her immense sculptures in the Newark Museum of Art.  That photo gives you the idea of the scale she worked at - filling entire walls.  

Here's a sneak peek at the article - soon to be in bookstores on February 1st, and always available to order at Stampington.com  

After I made my first cardboard sculpture I went to make many more, then segued into cardboard journals, and taught many classes for both.  Just love making use of readily available and non-precious materials.  Making something from nothing.  That's what I'm doing today - you'll see what I'm up to in the next article.

Thanks for stopping by!  Again, have a happy 2024!

New article: Window of Opportunity

This just in - the Winter issue of Somerset Studio with my article featuring an altered window frame.  If you subscribe then you should have it soon - will be on the store shelves Nov 1st.  One of my favorite mantras is "make it your own" which is why I gave that name to my column.  This entire project is an example of that very concept.  Here's a sneak peek:

And a paste-up of some materials used with the before and after views.  Another terrific issue from Stampington!

HandCrafted Part 2 - new article

As a follow up to my last article, this one illustrates my dimensional explorations with arm reliquaries.  The issue just arrived and should be on the store shelves by August 1st, or already in your mailbox if you're a subscriber.  This was SO much fun - definitely a case where you just can't stop.  In addition to the twenty-something shown in the article, I have handfuls more.  Below you'll see the sneak peek of the article, plus details of the tallest one I made, and another filled with sea glass that is part of my summer tablescape.  I feel so lucky to have an editor that allowed me to really investigate this subject, and present across two of my columns.

HandCrafted Part 1 - new article

The May issue of Somerset Studio has arrived in my mailbox and it's ready on your local bookstore shelves as well.  I've had the unique privilege to be able to address this subject in two parts.  I've been studying, then playing with arm reliquaries.  Part 1 explains how I often begin with paper, and how that exploration became its own thing.  In addition to the article there is a template page and an artist paper page.  My intention was always to work dimensionally...so you'll see a sneak peek and then those results will appearing in the August issue.  

New article: Novelty Badges

The Spring issue of Somerset Studio is on the shelves now.  The theme is TAGS...one of my favorite materials to create with but I didn't go that route.  While spending some time reorganizing in my studio I focused on a ribbon storage system that really worked for me - see at the bottom.  Wrapping around cardboard slats keeps things visible, tidy, and condensed.  Removing lengths of ribbon from the paper spools they arrive on, then rewinding onto these panels was a mindless and swift task....but it also inspired the project below.  Loved making these and have so many more than are shown.  One of my favorites mimics The Order of the Garter - the most senior order of knighthood in the Bristish system.  Here's a sneak peek of the article:

 

New article - Sweet Dreams

Somerset Studio's new issue should be arriving soon if you subscribe...and will be on the stands by November 1st.  The theme this quarter is monochromatic.  As I discovered when working with gray - it's actually achromatic.  Here's a sneak peek of my article:

Happy Fall!!

New article - Gridlocked

Revisiting a favorite theme....prompted by having leftovers from a previous project, and the fact that I finally started actually playing the game.  Not long after I sent off my photos/text for "Opening Moves" late last year, my husband and I began the evening ritual of setting up the board and playing a few rounds.  I got all kinds of ideas for projects, and this is one of them.  Here's a sneak peek of the article - went on bookstore shelves August 1st.

 

New article...and a cover!!

Coming to bookstores May 1st is the summer issue of Somerset Studio.  The theme for this edition is Paper Personas.  You'll see I did use some paper but was more focused on textiles and fibers.  Making these three guys was such a blast....one of those "can't stop" kind of projects.  Here's a sneak peek at the article, as well as the COVER (yes, I'm shouting!), and a close up of the box framed assemblage.  It's always a thrill to see yourself in print....but truly an honor to get the cover.  Thank you to my editor Christen, to my publisher Kellene, to Somerset Studio, and Stampington & Co.

New article - Lost & Found

February brought a new article for my column in Somerset Studio.  The theme was "Dressed to the Nines" and while the idea of fashion didn't resonate with me I did enjoy writing about mannequins, and my family connection to the business. Here's a sneak peek:

In the issue is a tip-in of one color chart I designed for my project. In future issues you may see another.  Besides continuing my research on the mannequin business, I really loved inventing a portfolio for my Uncle Jerry, and had a blast stepping into his shoes...imagining what his studio, pin boards, sketchbooks, files, might have looked.  I also stepped into the roles of inventing drawings and poses for his girls...not all the pages were shown in the article so here a few:

Special thanks to my cousin Patrick for sharing so much information about his connection with his mannequin experience.  

I've been behind keeping up with this blog...my apologies.  I didn't even wish you Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, or Happy Valentine's Day.  Bad girl.  Hope all has been well...and let me take a minute to say Happy St. Patrick's Day in case I'm not back here before then.

 

 

StencilGirlProducts.com annual sale!!

Get the stencils on your wishlist, or get a duplicate of your favorite for a friend - through Monday at midnight CST.

Visit StencilGirlProducts.com  Woohoo!

Portrait of a Lady: Remembering Linda Warlyn

My second article in the new Somerset Studio is a tribute to my dear friend Linda Warlyn.  What on honor to present, but it was one of the hardest pieces I've ever written....I could have used way more words and pages to describe her wonderfulness, and to share the very many personal connections I have with this gem of a girl.  The world lost a beautiful soul when she left for heaven.  I feel so lucky to have been touched by her...one of those rare gifts that makes you forever grateful.  <3

new article - Opening Moves...a chess book

On the newsstands Nov. 1 is the new Somerset Studio.  I have two articles.  Will post about the second one later this week.  The first illustrates two accordion books - one was a prototype, the other is larger with many more details.  When I wrote the article I admitted I rarely played chess, and actually hadn't made a move in years.  Then, seemingly within days of writing my article, my husband and I began playing.  He is quite a master from playing so much in his youth against my father-in-law.  I have been beat many times - but that is all part of the learning process.  I'm actually pretty good now.  We have played several matches a day for the last three months.  I'm addicted.

Look for new chess stencils and stamps coming to my product line soon!  I'm so excited!!

See an older post with lots of references to my past work with chess images HERE.

New article: Cultivating Creativity

Last month the newest issue of Somerset Studio arrived.  The theme was "nature", and I showed a canvas made earlier in the year.  In addition to the article, Stampington included two of my photos for their "artist pages".  I had a love/hate experience working on this large piece, and recognized how uncomfortable I am working big.  I'm getting it figured out though and have actually tried a few more since then.

In my next post I will show a few more details, and show you all the stencils I used.

Spooling Around

The Summer issue of Somerset Studio hit bookstore shelves in May.  I just recently got my copy (thank you Christen), and now I can share my column about transforming wooden spools.  Previously hosts for ribbon, these finds have been turned (pun intended!) into interactive image covered discs.  I now use them as book ends.

Hope you had a safe and happy 4th!  We saw fireworks this year from the beach of Ocean City, NJ.  A perfect day/evening.  Love summer.  

New article - Dialed Up

And it's March!  While it seemed like days slowly passed as we endured the restrictions due to the pandemic, suddenly we are approaching a year since the first lockdowns.  All I can say is this:  I'm happy it's almost Spring.  Days are longer, sunnier, warmer...and best of all, there is hope on the horizon as shots reach arms.  

Here's a recent article I did for my column in Somerset Studio.  I talk about dialing up the scale and working on larger canvases.  I'm made several since, and still use my little trick to help me move along.  Sneak peek below.  This issue (Spring - Feb/Mar/Apr 2021) is on the newsstands now or available at Stampington.com.

 

1.6.21

Now that the Wise Men have arrived, we can start disassembling the holiday decorations.  We always wait until Epiphany before it all comes down.  I will miss the lights, the colors, the coziness of having favorite things in view.  The annual tradition of hauling out the storage bins, unwrapping ornaments and other decorations from well-worn, re-used tissue paper, carefully placing around the home, enjoying the fleeting visit, then lovingly packing away is part of what makes the Christmas treasures so special.  Memories of past holidays swirl in the air, as we anticipate making new ones.  The Nativity is always the first thing I set up for the season, and it is always the last thing I put away.  I am happy to have has another day to savor the visions, then the work begins in the morning.

Hope you had a wonderful time ushering the New Year.  Here's to all the blank calendar pages ahead - may they be filled with good energy, good health, and good connections.