michelle ward

positive spin

I've adored the maltese cross for years.  I wear one every day.  I play with the image often in my work, and you've seen it show up in my own carvings and my rubber line.  Because I tend to be linear, and literal, I never considered the 45 degree variation of the "+" to make it a "x".   You'll see I went nuts experimenting with my new perspective.  Anytime I discover a form or shape I invest a little time making new tools....

 

 

 

And more unfinished pages....sometimes it just feels good to get something started on the page.  It's a process to make additions to a painted background....it can take days to complete, or it may always stay as an experimental background. 

I'm taking an a quick trip home to see my sister.  Squeeze your eyes tight and spin those positive vibes and prayers our way.  Take a deep breath and appreciate what your healthy lungs can do.  Shout and sing on the 4th of July....because you can.  And never forget to wink and whisper sweet somethings to your loved ones.  xoxo 

change

School ends tomorrow.  Time becomes less frantic.  Days become long and lazy.  The change of season brings a change of style - not only in what we wear, and maybe what we eat, and how we fill our days....but maybe how we create too.  For me, I see my color palette change...does yours?  (Ok, so I'll never give up red and black). 

As a fan of Tim Russert I was shocked, as you were, to learn he had passed away.  Over the weekend we watched countless hours of his friends honoring him with their stories, re-runs of Meet the Press, and the special edition in Sunday.  This afternoon we watched the memorial service.  What a man.  His enthusiam was infectious.  I was touched they arranged for The Boss play out the service...but even more...I was impressed at the intro....you might have missed it....the journalist mentioned that as the hundreds of people were filing in, the music playing was taken from Tim's ipod.  As was obvious, his loved ones GOT him.  Here's what was they heard:

 

shapin' up

Another cool shape.  The center box is mine....the others are for a friend who commented she liked the shape.  Definitely alterable.  Love the pyramid tea thingies too.  Love the out-of-the-box thinking that led to this packaging.

I have a morning-in-the-studio playlist filled with tunes that energize me.  I was never a fan of this band, but this track gets me moving!  Hit *play* and see if it gets you grooving in your world today.  *turn it up*

And for Jenny....you can show Andrew my daily-wear shoes....see how much I've loved my black and white Vans?  They are love-worn and paint-splattered.  Had to get a second pair.  And in red too.

the shape of things

I obsess about several shapes.  A close relative to one of my faves, the maltese cross, is the quatrefoil.  I also obsess about punches.  I'm always on the prowl for new images.  You know I swooned when I saw this one:  HERE.  

The black and red pattern you see in the upper left is a photo of a wood box at our front door (for shoes!)  Here are the close-ups of the punch-outs from rubbings done over textured wallpaper on colored paper, for GPP Street Team Crusade No. 21:

Many of you have written kind notes asking how my sister Shannon is doing.  I was going to refrain from giving an update here to respect her privacy...but then I decided we could use your continued prayer and good vibes.  As you may know she left the hospital in time for her 40th birthday {yay!} but after a week home she's back in.   It still warms my heart to think of all the responses we got when I asked for your words of cheer.  I know you will join me in sending positive energy her way again.  xoxo

where have you been?

It's been nearly 100* for days....with more to come.  Naturally, we've been floating around in the pool. 

My poolside book:  THIS.  The quote below is written in the front flap, sealed the deal for me.  I've adored him since Confessions of a Window Dresser.  I asked permission to use his website photos here but didn't hear back so you'll have to go visit there:  HERE. 

 

And the latest on the dove family:  there won't be one.  At least not this summer, at least not outside my window.  I was really careful to give them their privacy especially after that second egg arrived.  I made sure the window and blinds were closed when I was vacuuming so I didn't freak them out.  I kept Winston away too.  They left....haven't seen either parent (or heard them) in 5 days.  Bummer.

   

Oooh, there's thunder!  I wonder if that will give us a break from the heat?  Or if we'll lose power?  I'm outta here!  Hope you're staying cool!

part-time crusader

Opening weekend we went to see the new Indiana Jones film (loved it!)   Since then I've been on an Indy kick - by that I mean that I've revived my interest in some sketchbooks that were shelved.  A few years ago I decided I wanted to keep a very small sketchbook similar to Dr. Jones as seen in The Last Crusade.  I loved seeing his in the film - all those notes and maps and images of artifacts made me wild.  Not long after starting my own 'grail diary' I read The Da Vinci Code and began another small journal to store my investigation of symbols and iconography.  Funny how the two sketchbooks cross paths from time to time.(The first page has a copy of the email sent to me by Lisa Hoffman (2003), recommending I read the DVC.)

 

For this month's GPP Street Team Crusade we are taking on the challenge of making wax rubbings and then painting over it for a resist.  Here's one of my rubbings without paint.  I wanted to make one like in the Indy Diary.....

And more rubbings - this time over textured wallpaper, then brushed with paint.  Try it and then come play along on the Street Team blog.  You have to be very heavy handed with the side of the crayon for good wax coverage so it will resist the paint you brush over it.  Use watered down paint or after coating the page with acrylic, spritz with water and wipe away.  (This anaglypta wallpaper was a gift from my friend Judy N.)

Years ago I found this terrific site that has incredible visuals from the Indy Diary.  The guy even walks you through every detail so you can make your own.  I like to visit there just to see all the pages, HERE.  When I was looking for this site again I came across this new book!  Not quite like the movie prop but I had to have it!

When I was at the bookstore I came across this Da Vinci Kit - on clearance for $2.99!!  Graham had given me one last year but it was a score to get another so I could have one to cut up and use in my journal - especially the paper model of the duomo.

If you are into Indiana Jones and archeology, you should try to catch the History Channel's showing of Indiana Jones and the Ultimate Quest.  It was cool to see how the films have inspired people to become archeologists.  It also made such an impression on me of how 'things' left behind tell the story of mankind. 

Congrats to Maj Carita Hoenborg in Germany for being Crusade No. 20 Top Hat Pick.  The crusaders were busy making paper casts and they were all very cool.  Come visit the links and see for yourself.  As I mentioned, this month is wax rubbing and resist painting.  Wanna play?  Hop on over! 

two turtle doves...

Ok, so they aren't 'turtle doves', but I couldn't resist the phrase.  Yesterday Graham discovered there was a second egg!  Knowing absolutely nothing about these birds, it fascinated me that both eggs weren't delivered at the same time.  I've done some reading and found out they will hatch in 14 days!