michelle ward

getting sneaky

he is risen!

next....

counting and packaging.....

and then..........

labeling....lots of labeling.

cutting and folding with purpose

The last few days we have been busy cutting and folding.  Sam is doing a great job.  Stay tuned :)

warm palette - purposeful painting

Changed colors.  Still piling up.  Sam is having so much fun!

cool palette

More from our cool palette.  We've changed colors and will show you that next.  Then we'll tell you what we're doing with Sam's paintings!

 

3.17.16

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Be well and behave ;)

Security envelope art, colorized with photoshop.

more purpose

painting with purpose

Papers are piling up.  Paint tubes are emptying out.  Lots of Painting with Purpose over here.  
More details soon.

stencils + ink pads

Here are some of the sample tags I've made with the new Ink Pad stencils, along with brief descriptions.  These are just pigment ink pads + stencils.  

TIP:  if you use wedge make-up sponges, cut off the hard edge so you don't get 'lines' when dabbing off the ink onto your tag.

on a mission

I've never been one to pick a Word of the Year.  However, a few weeks ago I had an epiphany, and that came with a word.  PURPOSE. I've launched a mission that has kept us busy here at home.  I will reveal the details soon, with a few teasers as it gets closer.  It's one of those ideas that was lingering around in the corner of my mind and I wasn't sure it could work, but once I started saying it out loud and sharing the plan with loved ones it became something real, something tangible, something do-able.  

First, you stretch your way of thinking to consider all possibilities, no matter how far-fetched.  Then you reign it in and determine what can be accomplished in reality.  You weigh pros and cons, do some research, and begin to visualize a successful outcome.  You gather the supplies you need, set up a schedule, and jump in.  

As a sign that we are on a mission, I scored a handsome Word of the Year Rock + Amulet from my friend Kim Mailhot (aka The Rock Fairy) who makes and sells these in her Etsy shop HERE.  Isn't she a clever one?  This hangs over our work table and reminds us that what we do is important.  

More soon.

big announcement!!

I'm so excited to finally be able to share this news - the first four in a series of New York stencils, exclusively for The Ink Pad.  Shop online at their newly launched site....it's only a few minutes old.  Congrats Anna and Barbara!! 

ShopTheInkPad.com

new article "inside out"

The March/April issue of Somerset Studio just arrived.  I am thrilled for my friend Anna who is on the cover and inside with the Artist Profile - her signature work is lovely and unique.  Since the theme is Mail Art my column features art made with security envelopes, and then I segued into using postage stamps.  If you've been following my blog you know I love these security paper patterns, found on the inside of the dreaded bills.  I've been collecting and cataloging for years - now I can't stop making stuff with them.

See my other posts using security envelopes last year.

http://michelleward.typepad.com/michelleward/2015/07/painting-on-a-grid.html

http://michelleward.typepad.com/michelleward/2015/07/have-a-happy-4th-of-july.html

http://michelleward.typepad.com/michelleward/2015/07/more-envelope-cutting.html

http://michelleward.typepad.com/michelleward/2015/06/someone-call-security.html

Recently scored from Etsy - an origami ball geniusly folded by FANSHEFOLDS  

There are patterns here I don't have!!  Maybe it would be fun to show you my collection and if you have a pattern I don't have we could trade!!

embossed hearts

Yes, we are ready for the big game.  Graham has the menu planned and good smells are coming from the kitchen.  My neighbor Emma came over to make Valentines.  This year I taught her about dry embossing.  We did it the real way, with brass stencils, a lightbox, and a stylus tool.  After one I knew she'd be antsy because it takes alot of handpower and patience to complete. So then I introduced her to embossing folders and the short-cut for embossing.  We will ran our die-cut hearts through the hand-cranked pasta machine (typically used for polymer clay - I've never made pasta).  She finished a dozen in no time and then we moved on to addressing and decorating envelopes.  Assignments are finished so we will open some of the Girl Scout cookies she delivered.

 

A reminder of using embossing folders with a pasta machine from 2011.  Such a fun and fast way to get texture!

coming soon!

New rubber stamps, stencils+masks coming soon!  So excited!  And my CJS video went up today!!  I couldn't figure out how to add audio narrative so you don't hear me or see me, but you get to see me working.  Chime in if you saw it!

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.  

 

 

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.

documented life project!

 

 

 

What an honor to be invited to participate as a Guest Artist for The Documented Life Project.  These girls have been inspiring artists for almost two years with their wonderful art and generous weekly challenge site. When Roben-Marie sent my assignment back in January I was thrilled.  Stamps, Stencils & Masks are right up my alley.  Not only do I love using retail products, but I also love to custom make all of these tools for making art.  I have tutorials on both Stamp Carving and Stencil Cutting if the process is new to you or you want a refresher.  

A few words about process....I love to work spontaneously, with no plan, no agenda.  But I also love thinking about a project in specific detail, especially if I have an assignment.  I make notes and some sketches, and try to discern what I want to express, or more importantly, what is channeling into my thoughts after being prompted with a subject.  I love being immersed in the pre-project-thought-process as you give consideration to all the ways your ideas could be manifested.  Here are my notes from January:

 

 

Last week I revisited the prompts, handcarved stamp and tapestry, and still found myself focused on a mental visual of the things I jotted down earlier in the year.  Tapestry > foliage > trees > leaves > Autumn.

This is what I imagine when I think Tapestry.  Woven, worn, rich.  Lots of color, but a subtle range.

 

A word that kept repeating itself in my notes - Autumn.  A strong influence - we are in full Fall colors here.... although most leaves are now on the ground. I am drawn in by the vibrant colors....especially the reds.  I have a favorite quote that I think I will include.  We'll see.

 

 

So how to interpret this through my own filters, with my own style?  Make a few color selections and build a palette, then draw a few things that could be transferred to soft block and carved.  Then start painting and see what happens.

The tree I carved is 4" with alot of intricate details so there may be an issue getting a good imprint on a page that has already been layered with gesso and acrylic.  Going into this I knew that I wouldn't attempt to stamp the entire tree directly on the page.  Through an experience of working on a project with a large (12" x 12") carving, I stumbled upon a trick that I like to rely on when applying an image to a page.  Pre-paint loose paper (I used gessoed tissue paper) then stamp with black paint onto several sheets (paint on paint is better than ink on paint).  Cut up all the "good" portions and splice together to recreate the image. It's like a paper quilt and makes the composition more interesting.  Here is the piece where I learned my lesson of layering, 12" square framed collage painting made from a carved stamp:

 

My plan was to be tapestry-like but I ended up more quilt-like.  This is a good example of how you can take inspiration from a prompt and have some loose intentions, then let the piece begin to work itself out while you are in-process.

 

 

I really admire these girls for launching their challenge site in 2014, then beginning again with weekly prompts for 2015.  Having hosted my own monthly challenge site for six years I know how much work it is AND I know how much it means to get feedback.  It's validating and encouraging.  So be sure to chime in when you visit their site and offer your kind words.

Again, here is the link to The Documented Life Project:  Art to the 5th  Stop by and see what magic the hostesses have conjured up for this week's prompt.

 

10.31.15

Happy Halloween!  Be well and behave :)

Try this.....super fun.  I've shared the link before, but it was years ago so maybe it will be new to you.

http://www.zefrank.com/scribbler/

cut it out!

This just in, November/December issue of Somerset Studio.  My article "Creating Opportunities" is about making the commitment to dimensional elements on your page before you start adding your layers of paint and collage.  One of my favorite mantras, as a teacher, is to tell you to "Commit".  Just start with one thing, then each decision you make is informed by the previous commitment.  That's easy to say when you are working on a painted or collaged foundation.  But once you have invested time in making a background it may be a little stressful to cut into it.  I've observed this in workshops - we start with paint, then I hope to encourage some slight-of-hand tricks with cutting and folding, but there is a reluctance.  So I changed my method of teaching, and we begin with the deliberate cuts and folds, then add the paint, collage, and stencils. The commitment to adding cut-out shapes, and the placement of where they are positioned, is not influenced by anything since the canvas is blank.  With dimensional features established, you've created opportunities for how to proceed.  See the magazine for more details, and many other terrific articles.

 

 

gorgeous autumn

I've been enjoying these glorious days here in Jersey.  Cool nights and sunny days.  Not alot of leaf color changes yet - although there is an ample quantity of orange, but that's because we have construction everywhere.  My roses are mostly done showing off, a few buds are trying to break out.  Since I've fallen behind in trimming many of the old blooms have filled out as hips.  I admit that I kinda like when I see the color change from green to deep orange, plus I love their shape.

 

Here are some hips from 2009, and some masks I made from Tyvek.

 

And an old journal page from November 2009.

Hope you're enjoying the Autumn, wherever you are.  It's a motivating time of year - I'm always brimming with energy in October.  

come roll with me!

Hey there.  Just surfacing from my studio overhaul to talk about my next class.  I'm really excited to be teaching at Pratt School of Continuing and Professional Studies in Manhattan this fall.  It's such a cool place, and the studios are amazing.  How cool would be to say you took a class at Pratt?  

So first up is ROLL WITH IT, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4TH.  I started teaching this one over ten years ago and it is still one of my favorites. It has evolved over the years to include new tricks.  First debuting at Artfest 2004, then Artwerx, Valley Ridge, The Ink Pad, CREATE,...it's definitely a crowd pleaser.  If you want a fun day of learning lots of painting tricks, or you want to refresh your view of using paint, come roll with me!  (Scroll down for some evidence of past workshops).

 

 

ROLL WITH IT workshop, is fast moving class where I demo a technique and then you try it. In my own experiments with creating texture I have found the magic properties of gesso.  Gesso affords movement, lifting, resisting, but most of all it allows forgiveness.  We will learn why it's an important foundation. For example, on a section of roll, we will try a two-step painting process.  Next, we’ll reverse the process with step two first, followed by step one.  This will allow us to learn from our observations.  There is no right or wrong way to lay paint, but hopefully these exercises will inform your future work.  We will scrape, stencil, resist, stamp, and so much more.  The swift pace will leave the inner critique out of the process as it's all about doing the work.  The completed length will then be assembled as a journal.  As you fold the page you end up with serendipitous compositions that you never would have planned as the techniques segue from one to another.  

 

 

FORMAT:  I will demo a technique then you will try it on your paper.  Then I demo again, and you try it. Repeat.  Repeat.  Repeat.  We will be moving fast so we can complete many different things.  It’s important to let go of your concern for perfect composition since this is not the focus of the class.  There are no rules here, except to move swiftly so we can plow through the assignments, leaving time toward the end of class for the finishing touch of creating a book from our roll.  It always amazes me, with each time I teach this class, how different each journal can look even though we all followed the same directions. Each artist has a different hand and an unique way of interpreting the exercises with their own color palette.

 

 

ORIGIN:  When I was in college, one of my drawing classes began each morning with an exercise in gesture drawing of the nude models.  The models made quick, thirty second poses, which we scribbled onto a roll of paper.  After about five minutes(ten gesture drawings), we rolled the paper back up and continued with the day’s assignment.  At the end of the course, we posted our rolls of paper onto a display wall, and it was amazing to chart our growth as sketch artists, across the length of the roll.  Remembering the impact of this exercise, I began imagining how cool it would be to compose something similar with paint, for a short amount of time everyday, on a roll of paper.  I could experiment randomly on the roll, and also use it to catch evidence of work-in-progress on my studio table (cleaning off my brush, clippings of collage, etc).....then, the completed roll could be manipulated into a book, a foundation for journaling.  I ended up finishing about 30 feet of painted roll and got excited to see what it would look like as a journal so I stopped and figured out how to fold the length into a book - and a class was born!

 

 

Hope you'll join me!

 

 

 

Pratt classes - registration open

I've updated my Workshop page with details about my classes at Pratt this Fall. I'm so excited about this new venue!  You can see the entire catalog HERE.  To find my classes, type in Michelle Ward in the search box.  Registration begins 7/27.  To enroll, click HERE and insert course code number.

 

I shared this quote a long time ago and it's how I still feel about teaching.  Being in class with other curious creative individuals who want to expand their visual vocabulary and experience is so rewarding - we all learn something from each other because we all have unique ways of interpreting the assignments.  As Jefferson wisely speaks about light spreading rather than diminishing, so too do ideas multiply when we learn something in an enthusiastic, safe and nurturing group environment.

painting on a grid

 

Using a grid as a foundation for a painting is a default process for me.  I love that grids can break down a larger surface into smaller assignments.  Wanting to move toward interpreting inspiration with paint, I started with a gesso and acrylic background, plotted my lines, then started stamping with handcut circles and squares.  My intention was to introduce my carvings of landforms but I ended up sticking with just the basic shapes and felt myself moving toward moon phases.  Sometimes you start out with a plan, but once you are immersed in the process another opportunity reveals itself.  Since I painted several backgrounds on accordion folded substrates I can use one to go in the direction that is unplanned and the other to go with the original idea.  It's all good - nothing is wasted when you are open to discovery.

 

have a happy 4th of july!

Wishing you a super sunny day and the perfect spot to see the fireworks!  Be well and behave :)

more envelope cutting

When testing out some ideas I will often make some quick collages with remnants from my studio table.  I showed you some grid studies using paper punches and security envelopes (HERE), and with the leftovers I went organic, cutting free-form shapes....again, land shows its influence.

These posts are a little out of order as I showed you my white on black drawings since the article is out - those were actually done after the security envelope collages.  

 

(This time I made sure my signature was embedded over the image.  Last time it was marked just over the photo and someone cut it off before posting to tumblr.  While it's nice to be noticed, it's not so nice to have your graphic altered and name removed.  The image was then pinned to pinterest without my signature and it's off and running with links back to the tumblr post, not me.  It's a good lesson to always mark your work so as the originator, you are findable.)

 

save the date!

I will be getting back to my ongoing posts on The Evolution of an Idea.  This week I have a few deadlines - both concrete and self-imposed so I'm tending to business.  One thing I wanted to share - very exciting news...I will be teaching five workshops this fall in the big apple.  I can't begin to describe the thrill of being invited to teach at Pratt Institute's School of Continuing and Professional Studies this fall.  Thank you to my friend Karen for facilitating this connection.  Below is an infographic with the dates.  I will be uploading the class descriptions and photos to my Workshop page soon - they selected some of my faves plus a new one, Sticks & Stones, inspired by the current mindset I'm in.  Pratt's fall catalog is in the works and as soon as I have details for registration I will post here.

 

 

There has already been some interest since I posted this on my workshop page a week or two ago.  I'm collecting email addresses from anyone that wants updates on registration.  If you want to be added to the list send me a note or comment below.  

There are some mixed media courses available at Pratt this summer!  Take a class with my friends Nathalie Kalbach (July 12, July 19) or Seth Apter (July 18-19) or both!  See the Pratt CCPS summer catalog HERE.  It is a fabulous venue and the classrooms are superb.  

Hope to see you this fall!!