michelle ward

YOU ROCK!

Wow!  Thank you so much!  What an amazing response to the new rubber and the new article.  So many private emails that really touched my heart and served as validation that it's ok to depart from your comfort zone and venture forth in new directions.  It's been less than 24 hours since I felt like I went out on a limb to show you my new stuff and I'm BLOWN away by the comments, and orders, and the enthusiasm.  Thank you, truly.

Maximized!

Last week the recent issue of Somerset Studio arrived.  I was thrilled with the layout they created using the work I did for an article about PROCESS.  The entire issue is FANTASTIC!  Check it out. 

Often, it's not about the completed piece, but what we learn in the process that is of value to us as artists.  At the time I did this work I was teaching myself how to use Photoshop in a much different way that I had used it before....and I've grown alot since then but I look back at these pieces and remember the thrill of discovery.  There is nothing like waking up in the morning and being excited about making stuff - no matter what it is or how you go about doing it.  More about that later. 

The rubber is up - 10 new sheets for WayWard Collection are posted to the left.  This new direction reflects my own interests in imagery - layering scrolls and flourishes with favorite engravings and text.  (You'll recognize many of the images from my digital art.)  Also included are some variations with ravens.  Some of eggs on one sheet are meant to be used in a layered format to create your own speckled eggs - HOW COOL IS THAT? 

I'm offering, for the first time, PRE-ORDERS.  I have never done this before as I like to have the inventory on hand when the orders come in.  It drives me crazy to not be able to ship the same week.  However, I decided since I'm offering the pre-order, and you still have to WAIT for the rubber, I thought it would only be fair that you get a DISCOUNT, good through September 15.  I'm not even sure when the orders will ship as it will depend on when the new rubber gets to me.  Visit GreenPepperPress to shop - I take Paypal and MC/VISA, and of course personal checks.  My friend Lisa had a good idea - she said "buy now for the holidays - take a sheet and cut it up as stocking stuffers!"  Not a bad idea Lisa, thanks!

I'm done for the day.....alot got accomplished.  I can't wait to talk about what happened on our trip to Marineland...will save that for another day. 

Within Reach

Thanks to those of you patiently waiting for the new rubber.  I am in the process up scanning and uploading the sheets.  I think I can safely say you will see them today (ok, maybe tonight).  THIS is the tedious part so I better get back to it.  Will check in later with an update.

Again - thanks for kindly waiting.  Your enthusiasm makes this very exciting for me too!

EDIT:  The WayWard Collection can now be viewed at GPP.  I am about to add in the Paypal buttons, then I'll upload the images here.  More later......

Lovely Lovely

Recently I received this lovely book by Beryl Taylor.  You've seen her work in Somerset Studio and Cloth, Paper, Scissors, and now you can enjoy seeing more of her lovely work in this fine book available at Amazon.  It's fabric, it's paper, it's everything.... and simply takes your breath away as you investigate the pages and realize the intricate detail that is put into her art.  If the cover intriques you, you will be delighted with the contents.

I've been asked alot of questions about the visual journaling process so I have put together a few things that I will blog about AFTER our return from a Niagara Falls vacation.  I promise to finish the last few details on the rubber and will post as soon as I get back.  If you have been to my GPP site and wonder why there are "X"s on the new images it's because I have only put in the item numbers (there's nothing wrong with your computer).  As soon as the images are complete I will be able to quickly upload them into the place markers.

We're off to see the Orca's at Marineland! 

What is an Art Journal?

I've been cleaning my studio and finally got my journals gathered into one location.  I didn't realize how many I have - some are works in progress, some are finished.

What is an Art Journal?  There is no real answer.  There is no right or wrong way to make or keep one.  I have some journals that are mostly sketches and notes.  I have some that are filled with clippings from newspapers and magazines, to remind me of a book to get, or a show review, or just simply because a picture or article inspires me in some way.  I have many journals that have been in place on my studio table as I work on a project so that all evidence from that project gets chronicled in the journal.  Small swatches of collage paper, brush strokes of paint colors, samplings of anything and everything that gets put into a piece of art.  I'm a terrible pack-rat and have a hard time once a project is completed to sort through the materials leftover and either refile them somewhere or toss them out (gasp).  So saving portions of those precious bits in my journal gives me the freedom to unload what's left on my table - sweep it off in the garbage bin.  And then, once the art piece is gone, I still have the reminder of that experience of making it.

Here are a few random pictures of journal pages that show the various ways I work in my journal. 

My Fair Lady

Available September 1st at Stampington & Co.

The publisher of Somerset Studio and Art Doll Quarterly is proud to present Beyond Paper Dolls, a new publication dedicated to expressive paper personas crafted with innovative techniques and art mediums. Artist, author and designer Lynne Perrella, has invited over 50 mixed media artists to contribute to this book of over-the-top imaginative interpretations of the human form. Far more than paper dolls, this selection of thought-provoking and innovative “paper personas” will awaken your urge to make artwork that is meaningful, expressive, and full of story-telling.

With creative chapter headings such as “Inner Visions”, “Curtain Up!”, “Celebrations”, “Fetish Figures” and more – get ready to immerse yourself in colors, textures, found objects, paint, fabric, fibers, metal and that eternal favorite paper. In addition, each chapter will also include a “Details Dossier” revealing the artists' techniques for creating the work, and giving you countless clues for using mixed media supplies, as well as spy-glass close-up views of the art to satisfy your inquiring mind.

Pull up your favorite chair, keep a sketchbook close at hand, enjoy the creative banquet served up by over 50 well known artists, and then start plotting how YOU plan to go “beyond paper dolls”.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just visited Stampington for their preview and to check on the release date and found this!   The paper doll assignment prompted me to finally start on a journal on my favorite lady ~ Zelda Fitzgerald.  Can't wait to see Lynne's new book, and to show you the other project I made for it!  More Zelda pages HERE.

"Nobody has ever measured, not even poets, how much a heart can hold".   Zelda Fitzgerald

Street Team Duty

Doing my duty as a good street teamer I bring you this announcement:

HIM returns to NY @ the Hammerstein Ballroom Thursday, October 19, and Friday, October 20.  Tickets go on sale Friday, August 4 @ 11 am EST.

The tour is called "No Sleep 'Til Halloween" and will feature HIM, along with Papa Roach, Kill Hannah, and Lost Prophets.  Tickets available through Ticketmaster, details at Livenation.com  (Scoring points for street team activity, now back to the regular program).

Good Mail Day

What's this you ask?  Why it's grave dirt from Hans Christian Andersen's gravesite in Denmark - sent from Maj in Germany.  How cool is that?  I had made a request here for grave dirt  - and she did it!  Unknown to me until she wrote, my new friend actually ventured to the cemetery, gathered some dirt, and sent this package overseas - look how cool the "HCA" is that she cut into the paper enclosure - and her remark was that he didn't even protest!  Thanks Maj!  A little something is on the way to you for when you get back from your latest trip.

AND THIS came from Misty Mawn!  I ordered one of her lovely prints from her ETSY (right) and received a bonus painting she made for me (left).  Gorgeous - such a talented girl with her own unique style.  AND if that wasn't enough, she enclosed a thoughtfully compiled soundtrack too!

I'm a lucky girl today! 

Heat warnings again for tomorrow - no studio time for me this week.  We'll be in the pool! 

Stay COOL!

I found this quote in my stash of favorites.  Good isn't it?  Makes you think.

Off to swim........