michelle ward

*tosses confetti*

TaDa is more fun than ToDo

I said it last year, and have advocated for the same concept several years before that....making a TaDa list is way more fun than a ToDo list.  Of course they go hand-in-hand.  However, I'm much more about celebrating the past year as motivation for the upcoming year, rather than fussing over what didn't get done or what is still left to begin.

I'm not one for making resolutions at the beginning of the year.  My philosophy is that I'd much rather reflect on the past year and recognize all I have done.  I find that to be empowering and motivating.  Each January I have a ritual of making a Ta-Da list.  I start with the end of December and work my way back to the first of the year, making notes of everything that I can remember doing during the year. It is easier to start with the most recent self-imposed assignments.  (I'm not always good about maintaining To-Do lists during the year, but I have been known to keep them month-by-month.) Eventually I recall a full list of achievements, missions, chores, and projects that leaves me feeling really good.  Sure, there are always things left on my To-Do list....there is always more to do, and ideas that are still in-process. However, when you move items from your To-Do list to your Ta-Da list you celebrate what you've completed - that's much more affirming than worrying about the tasks ahead, or announcing an official pledge to make changes with the turn of the calendar page.   Maybe you could start 2016 by patting yourself on the back for all the work you completed in 2015, from art projects to self-improvement, then carry forward the positive energy into the brand new year. 

Make a Ta-Da list, because it's way more fun than a To-Do list!  

Download printable lists here -

PDF:   Download Michelle Ward ToDoTaDa2015   Download Michelle Ward ToDoTaDa2016

JPG:  2015 View this photo, 2016  View this photo

 

 

 

I hope that however you handle the turning of the page to 2016 that it is a wonderful year filled with blessings, love, friendship, and creativity.

If you're thinking you could use a little boost to get you rolling in January, the offer of $5 off the Creative JumpStart event in January ends at 11:59 EST 12/31.  Visit http://nathaliesstudio.com/cjs to sign up and use the code CJS2016.  

 

 

from our merry band of revelers to yours

Merry Christmas from the Wards!  The theme this year was Graham's idea.  We took the photos downstairs with all our instruments (yes, that's my own bass!) and the lighting was poor so I planned on converting to black and white.  However, the colored version ended up being pretty good!  So here's to a colorful Christmas!  It's likely we will have the windows open this year - and may be out on the deck since it's expected to be in the 70s.  What?  Can't complain!  

happy happy merry merry

I'm going to wait until Friday to post our annual Christmas picture card as they are still arriving in the mail and I don't want to foil the surprise.  If you've come by hoping to see my photo review of the Bergdorf Goodman holiday windows it will be here eventually.  We usually visit NYC over Thanksgiving weekend with my mom but this year my parents are coming for Christmas (today!) so we are saving the event for this weekend.  The digital composition below is created with some of my new stencils that will be released in 2016. I like to mess around with them in photoshop to see how useful they might be in real life.  I'm excited for these too!  

Wishing you a Merry Christmas.  I always expect the reader interprets what I'm saying, which is:  I don't know the particular holiday you are celebrating this year so please take these words as wishes for a glorious season with loved ones.

 

updates - new article and workshop schedule

The January/February issue of Somerset Studio has arrived.  If you've taken the Compose Yourself workshop with me then you've tried the exercise I illustrate and describe in my column.  I first learned of it back in grade school - didn't know the term for it until a few years ago.  Notan - the Japanese word for dark/light harmony.  (I could insert a HIM reference here, as they have an album called Dark Light, but I will refrain.)  You can see I used my chess stencil again.  The full set of stencils/masks will be released in January. 

 

Compose Yourself is on my schedule in 2016.  It will be offered through Pratt School of Continuing and Professional Studies on February 13.  Registration is open. CALL 855.551.7727  or follow link to register:  HERE  (type in Michelle Ward, using caps as shown)  

 

Here is a sampling of my Pratt workshops this Spring.  Visit my WORKSHOPS page for full descriptions and schedule.

 

 

And don't forget - if you plan on joining Creative JumpStart the $45 fee is good through 12/31.  It will be $50 after that.  Visit Nathalie's site HERE for all the details.  My first video will be included!!  HCIT?

'tis the season?

Who would ever expect that December would permit and extended season for spray paint in NJ?  We've been lucky with the unseasonably mild weather, so I took advantage.  If you follow me on facebook you've already seen the facelift to our coffee table.  It was time for a sprucing up with a change of palette to coordinate with our revised colors in the living room.  First painted in 2007, the composition included many of my favorite stencils from that time.  Since then I've designed over 100 stencils for Green Pepper Press and Stencil Girl Products.  My intention with the do-over was to use the new stuff, but it ended up taking a turn and I went with some hand-cut chess stencils+masks from 2008 as the focus, with multiple size checkerboards, alphabets, and my damask patterns as "noise".  After revisiting the chess stencils I've decided I will be releasing them in a smaller size in January.  Stay tuned!

I admit it was hard to say goodbye to the old table top, but I had a great time spray painting the new one, and I'm pleased with the results.  You can see my post about the 2007 version HERE.  Below are the before and after views:

And some close-ups, plus a view of my outdoor work space, near the rose garden.  I finish the surface with acrylic spray varnish, and a glass top.

 

I cut these chess pieces stencil/mask sets in three sizes back in 2008.  Loved using in my journals and for art-making. HERE is an archived blog post illustrating how the chess theme has been one of my favorites.

I'm going to be getting the chess stencils and masks into production soon - to be released in January.  There will be coordinating checkerboards too!  They won't be as large as the ones I used on my table, but they will be fun to work with on all kinds of surfaces. Can't wait!!

 

big news!

 

I'm excited to announce that I'll be participating as an artist in 5th annual Creative JumpStart (CJS) 2016, hosted by Nathalie Kalbach. If you're not familiar with CJS, it's a one-of-a-kind online event to kick your creativity into high gear in January 2016.  Nathalie has extended an invitation to me for several years and I always declined as I'm not a video girl.  So how cool is this?  I made my first one!!

Learn techniques, discover new materials, and connect with artists and crafters. 

Throughout January participants get 25 downloadable videos from 24 featured artists. I'm proud to be one of those artists, called “JumpStarters.” See for yourself:

 

Creative JumpStart 2016 Teaser from Nathalie Kalbach on Vimeo.

 

Head on over to Nathalie's site to sign up and for more details:

http://nathaliesstudio.com/cjs

You get 25 videos for just $45 (USD) for a limited time if you sign up before December 31, 2015 at 11:59 pm (EST)!  After that the fee will be $50.  

But wait – it gets better: as my valued reader, you’ll get $5 extra off today. Just use this coupon code during checkout:

cjs2016

*This is a limited offer valid from 10:00 am Dec 4, 2015 to 11:59 pm EST on Dec 11, 2015.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up here nathaliesstudio.com/cjs, and apply the coupon code during check out process.

 

 

Chime in below if you have any questions or if you want to share your enthusiasm for jumping along with us.