michelle ward

10.31.13

Happy Halloween!  I was talking to my friend Julie yesterday about how cool a cyanotype would be in black and white.  So I had to try it on a photo of my thorn print - converted in photoshop.  Have a fun day!

no-carve pumpkins

The Halloween rituals have changed around here.  We haven't carved pumpkins in a while.  Last year, we missed the event altogether due to superstorm Sandy, and the year before there was a freak snow storm that brought down trees and affected the night of trick-or-treating.  Some years it was so warm that our carved pumpkins rotted out and were gnawed at by squirrels before the 31st arrived.  So we started buying the fakes, adding our embellishments with a few paint pens.  You've seen the white ones, and now we've added black and orange. Fallon's are still in progress.  She better hurry, Halloween is almost here!

 

 

 

It's Lucky's first Halloween with us.  She doesn't know it, but Halloween was Winston's birthday.  She looks just like him here, doesn't she? 

October arrivals

New arrivals this week - the latest Somerset Studio - Nov/Dec 2013, and Mary Beth Shaw's new book, Stencil Girl:  Mixed Media Techniques for Making and Using Stencils.  I'm very impressed with the book publisher - I got the book and the return of my art one day after the book release.  It's usually weeks before we get a copy! 

Thanks to all the new visitors to Green Pepper Press who ordered stencils and stamps after the exposure on the GelliArts blog.  Wasn't that an awesome video?  I've been filling and sending orders, and preparing packages to go out as soon as I get restock on my inventory.  After teaching and vending in Connecticut, then this promotion, my merchandise has been cleared out.  Crossing fingers that I get a nice big box from my manufacturer early next week so I can fulfill all the remaining orders and send them on their merry way.  Again, my thanks to Joan at Gelli for this opportunity.  I have been making lots of prints of my own - will post soon.  So here's the peek at the latest ink:

 

 

 

 

Giveaway - Gelli Style

Are you on trend and making prints with the Gelli plate?  It is a genius invention and superb product.  If you've been out of the loop you can catch up quick with a visit to GelliArts.com.  Joan's videos are so nicely done that you'll see how easy it is to pull cool prints from the plate, and the many many ways it can be used with stencils and with texture for your art-making. 

They are just launching a 8" round plate - swoon!  AND it can be won by entering their giveaway.  Pop over to the blog HERE, and leave a comment to be in the drawing.  Be sure to get in by October 22.  I am honored to have three of my Green Pepper Press frond stencil/mask sets included.  You gotta see what Joan did with them in her video demonstration and photos.  I've grabbed one to show you, below.  Don't you just want to lick it?  It's that delicious. 

I still think facebook should have a "lick" button alongside the "like" button *grin*.

 

Back from Art-Is-You

Last week my mom flew into town and we headed up to Stamford for our first Art-Is-You.  We had a great time together and loved meeting many new friends, and getting to connect with old ones.  It was also fun to finally attach real people to names and faces I've gotten to know online.  There is always something special about these artful gatherings - because we are there for art-making but the friendships forged over a shared experience end up being way more valuable than anything you could offer in the goodie bag or class kit.  I'm sure you'll agree, if you've attended a similar retreat, that while you might return home wiped out from all the activity, you are filled with a refreshed verve to keep the momentum and creative energy going.

I'm bummed that my camera remained in my apron pocket for most of the three days I taught...I don't even have one photo from Parlor Tricks.  I also missed getting the whole group for Linear Equations.  I've got all but one for Recess.  The day flies by and before you know it the supplies are being packed up, we hug goodbye, and I smack my head that the photos didn't get taken.  It should be a rule that you have to take a class photo before you break for lunch.  I'm writing that into my itineraries from now on.

 

Art-Is-You will be returning next year at four locations.  My next gig is at The Ink Pad in November for a two-day workshop with the teaching team of Mary Beth Shaw, Andrew Borloz, and Pam Carriker.  Then I have a break in the schedule until the two workshops I'm cohosting with Lynne Perrella in May.  You can read more about Crowning Glories HERE.

Thanks to all the wonderful artists who joined me in class last weekend.  It truly was a privilege to spend time with you. 

it's a dirty job

My friend Samie had the idea for this particular mission, and earlier this summer we embarked on a field trip to scoop up some dirt and present it as a gift.  If you've been following along on this blog you know I am a card-carrying member of the Grave Dirt Crew.  I believe this was the fifth successful delivery - something we continue to do as we know our efforts have made an impression - getting special mention in two live interviews as well as two print interviews with lead singer Ville Valo.  Lest you be confused, gathering dirt is a way we honor respected departed souls.  The collection is now more than a dozen bottles - poets, musicians, writers, and actors that we know Mr. Valo would appreciate.  The latest presentation is that of Peter Steele, singer for Type O Negative - Mr. Steele was from Brooklyn and we passed it off on Saturday, perfect timing as it was the last night of the HIM tour.....and we saw them perform in, you guessed it, Brooklyn. 

 

EDIT:  I've been asked about the graphics - the green circle with the line through it is the band logo for TYPE O NEGATIVE.

Here's one of the mentions....proof that he doesn't think we're nuts, and that it isn't a dark thing, just cool.

CLICK HERE to hear it on youtube, scroll forward to minute 16:50 for the audio evidence, transcript excerpt below.

Link to full interview transcript HERE.