michelle ward

New article: Buttonhole Books

The Winter issue of Somerset Studio arrived this week.  My column features Buttonhole Books - named for the style of binding.  It was a really easy method to stitch together pages with an exposed spine.  I loved it.  There's something really satisfying about working on a project that just fits into the palm of your hand.  Here's a sneak peek from Nov/Dec/Jan, out soon at your local bookstore or it can be ordered online at Stampington.com.  

 

For the article I made three books, wrote my text, and took 20+ photos.  Since the magazine was a little skimpy on what was shown I have decided to share many more views here, because I can!  You'll see the completed books, as well as the full sheet painted papers used as a foundation.  It's always fun to start a journal with paint + stencil backgrounds....great jumping off platform, and plenty of opportunities to enhance, elaborate, and unify a spread with more color, pattern, or repetitive motif.  

 

Stencils in these books are from StencilGirlProducts.com and GreenPepperPress.com, as well as some hand cut designs.  Rubber stamps used are from ShopTheInkPad.com and GreenPepperPress.com.  

there's a book for that

Day 4: If you're like me, whenever you're at the beginning of a new infatuation you look for books on the subject.  There's not a lot of publications covering manholes but here are a few.  I have the three, and the bright one is on the way from England.  I have to say while I appreciate the colored covers from Japan, they don't really interest me.  (We will talk about those another day).  I'm sure I'd flip out if I came across one, but I tend to prefer the rusty, corroded covers found on streets and sidewalks plus the surrounding environment like gravel, cobblestone, or pavement.

 

I wish the top two were in color.  The black and white photos don't take away from the content as we are mainly looking at patterns and shapes, but the colored versions would so much more interesting, as in the cover above.

There is a book "Manhole Covers of Los Angeles", a rare find, and out of my budget, but was one of the first to glorify street hardware. Text/Photos by Robert and Mimi Melnick, it was a limited edition print run and is now a collectors's item.  In 1994 Mimi Melnick released the follow-up, Manhole Covers.  I love this book.  Nice big photos, in black and white, and the story behind their crusade to find a lid to hang over their sofa, which started their obsession.  The cover is embossed - a clever detail for a wonderful book and the story of the Melnicks.  

 

 

Designs Underfoot is another great resource.  It separates the different style covers and provides locations of where to find them in New York City. The photos are small, in black and white, but it offers the opportunity to compare similar styles with the choice of chapters.  

 

 

Mandalas from the Streets, by Kim Christiansen is a ninety page book, single sided images as they are intended as a coloring book.  I would never!  I just like seeing how his selection of covers appear as rubbings.  Check out his website for more wonderful examples of his art.

Just this week I found this: Overlooked by Marina Willer.  It features twenty-two rubbings in neon colors.  In addition to the book there are posters (swoon!! GO SEE THEM - two different shaped covers silk screened together).  These were featured at the London Design Festival last month.  From the shop page:  Overlooked is the 45th Pentagram Paper, the self-published series shining a spotlight on quirky or vernacular design, produced by design studio Pentagram. In it, London partner Marina Willer wanted to “celebrate the gatekeepers” to the subterranean world beneath London’s streets – the street or ‘manhole’ cover. 

Gatekeepers.  Cool description.

 

 

And host of other books I don't have but found on Amazon.  Love the title:  Drainspotting.  There are two of them - one from Japan, one from Sheffield.  Several more volumes on the colored Japanese hatches, one is ebook only.  And how about the one that takes the Japanese covers to a new level, turning them into quilts?  Who knew.  

 

I'm finding that there are so many online resources if you just want to look at manhole covers.  Some really wonderful and dedicated photographers who have put together specific albums.  One connection leads to another and all you keep thinking is "I wish all of these were in a book - like all of them from everyone around the world".  I will share links soon - still compiling as I find more every day. Warning:  it becomes addictive.  

This is only day four of Manhole Madness, and I can't tell you how exciting it has been.  I've met so many generous folks.  You write an email, asking a question or seeking permission, and you get one back.  That doesn't always happen.  And the enthusiasm multiplies. Can't wait to introduce you to some of my new friends.  Stay tuned.

 

 

mandala making

 

 

Full disclosure:  I was given a copy of this book to review.  To be perfectly honest, I probably would never have seen the book if it didn't arrive in my mailbox.  As you know, last year I went on a massive studio purge and since then I not only don't buy new books, but I don't even shop for them.  I do admit that I love books and I'm not opposed to adding to my library, but there is no longer a book store convenient to home - in addition, it seems that my last few out-of-the-way trips to look at books left me frustrated that there were less and less actual books in the store.  You gotta love that as an alternative you can visit Amazon, who offers you a preview of contents, a nice deal, and great shipping options.  For more on the book I'm going to talk about, or to order, click here: The Mandala Guidebook:  How to Paint, Draw, and Color Expressive Mandalas by Kathryn Costa.

I'm not sure of the exact date that I "met" Kathryn online, but I know it was through the Creativity Crusades I hosted back in the day. Kathryn participated in many of the challenges with her own personal flair and was always a generous and thoughtful commentor to other crusaders.  For my review, I've decided to interpret this book as a prompt, as though she is hosting a challenge, and see what happens when I run the information through my own filters, and make it my own.  You can scroll down and see the results.

I love that in the bio section of her book she describes her passion in three words "create and connect".  That's a perfect summary of her creative journey as she's been a constant source of encouragement and inspiration through several blog platforms - CollageDiva, True North Arts, and most recently 100 Mandalas.  She intentionally creates from the heart and deliberately and genuinely makes connections within the art community. My impression of Kathryn is that she would feel like an instant friend should we ever get to meet in real life.  It did not surprise me to learn she had authored a book on making mandalas - sharing her verve for the unique topic, with user-friendly teaching methods, vibrant illustrations, and authentic encouragement to discover personal style and ultimately, joy, from plugging in and applying the process in your own way.  

I've always been intrigued by beautiful and intricately drawn mandalas.  I also resonate with mandala-like structures created from natural materials, and have been mesmerized by watching videos of mandalas formed by patterns of colored sand.  As a person who had never tried drawing or designing one of my own I decided to read through the book, gather all the step-by-step instructions into my mental vault, then have a go myself.  Kathryn breaks down the process with clear illustrations and offers many wonderful examples of her own, plus a gallery of mandalas created by guest artists.  She has a gentle yet enthusiastic voice that walks you through options for designing, embellishing, and adding color to mandalas with many demonstrations, and invites you to dig even deeper moving from decorative to meditative.

Before committing to paper, I had an opportunity one afternoon to mess around with temporary mandalas.  I filled a basin with sand and sprayed with water so the surface would hold designs I marked with sticks and embellished with stones.  It was really a pleasant practice to try something, then wipe away all evidence, and try again.  Eventually I grabbed a few more tools - circle cookie cutters, a stencil, and other mark-making devices.  I documented compositions made in minutes - such a quick and easy introduction to building off a circle.  Next, I went from nature basics to high tech - and manipulated some of my artwork into digital mandalas.  It was addictive to work on an axis and move elements around then experiment with color.  The results are also below. I always have a takeaway from play on the computer - this time I recognized that I'm not into the coloring part.  I'm more interested in the fine lines of design.  So I moved forward with pens and paper.

I had to laugh - in chapter one, page 13, Kathryn admits to being a "recovering perfectionist".  I can relate.  Since I'm educated as an architect, my initial approach was to get out the templates, protractor, compass, ruler and triangles, with the intention of creating precise, perfect circles and segments on graph paper.  I did use these tools with pencil for a preliminary layout, then set aside and free-handed everything with black and white pens.  I didn't even use the graph paper!  I love the results on kraft and the imperfection proves that they were conjured up by hand, not machine.  The wonky black lines kinda bugged me until I started highlighting with the white pen and then the tension washed away and I finally began to enjoy myself.  Not only that, but I also couldn't stop!  I will definitely be carrying on with this simple interpretation.  

If you have considered jumping into mandala making then I recommend seeking out Kathryn's book.  It's a wonderful introduction to the unique art form.  Thank you Kathryn, for prompting me to try something new.  I can't wait to get back to discovering additional ways to work with black and white starting from a circle and a few basic shapes.  Maybe I'll even venture into color!

Visit Kathryn's site:  100 Mandalas  and again, the link at Amazon:

The Mandala Guidebook: How to Draw, Paint, and Color Expressive Mandala Art by Kathryn Costa

 

 

just arrived

Last week I received the new book by Joan Bess:  Gelli Plate Printing:  Mixed-Media Monoprinting Without a Press.  It is fabulous, with easy-to-follow processes - I already have some new ideas for making textures on the gelli plate.  As I wrote to Joan, I applaud the force she has become by infusing creative energy into this community with her genius invention, and the classy and stylish manner in which she presents many ideas on the blog, with the photos and video tutorials, and now this book!  I recently scored the new small size gelli and can't wait to break it in - Joan makes it look so effortless, and it really is!  Visit GelliArts.com and GelliArts.blogspot.com, and pick up the book at your local store or an Amazon.  In addition to many techniques you'll want to try, the book has a guest gallery that displays how other artists are using the addictive printing process.  

 

 

 

Also, just arrived is the newest issue of Somerset Studio.  In my column, Make It Your Own, I write about taking some travel souvenirs and moving them from the keepsake box to the wall, so that they may be enjoyed every day.  Are there any treasures you have tucked away that should move to your wall!  What are you waiting for?

 

 

 

I'm prepping and packing to teach in San Diego next weekend.  It's been ten years since I've visited California - looking forward to it!!

one thing leads to another

I've been a fan of M.C. Escher for a long time....like before high school.  I added another book to the collection - a super fun flipbook, HERE.  I love how a familiar piece of work takes on a new form.  It got me thinking about a poster I've had rolled up for a while.  Metamorphosis II - it comes as 4 panels, 8.5" x 41" each.  I thought I would install around the ceiling line of my studio, but I never did it, and now my shelves go up so high it would hardly be visible.  The little flipbook gave me an idea, and the motivation, to alter the present state of the poster, and turn it into a book that I could hold in my hand. 

 

It took some manuevering to flatten out the rolls, match up the pattern and make the attachments so it was one loooooong panel, then measure and do a little math to arrive at a suitable division.  I left an extra flap at the leading edge so it could be tucked under a paper strip to hold in place within a cardboard portfolio.  The whole thing can be pulled out and still viewed in its full panoramic glory, but within the covers I'm enjoying savoring the details page by page.  One thing always leads to another!  This accordion generated more ideas....still in progress, I'll report in later :)

 

get out your awl!

If you don't have an awl, you can use a pushpin, or needle....and these can be used with pen, pencil, and paint....I am thrilled to announce two new half sheet stencils as part of my Cardboard Collective!  Available at GreenPepperPress.com.  Notice the word placements, and how you can use the phrase "OPEN THIS END" or "THE END".  And you can combine "PROPERTY OF:" with the alphabet to pierce your name.  Love these. 

More new stencils on the horizon.  Estimated time of arrival:  April. 

 

new reads and more crowning glories

It was a terrific Christmas and a nice few days of just enjoying family time.  Today I'm catching up on loose ends, wrapping up a few deadlines, and planning to do some reading.  A fabulous graphic book from Lynne looks amazing,  a cool book of architect's libraries from Santa, and a handful of magazines are piled on the table.  I've been hearing about Flow magazine (for paper lovers) from Lisa and Julie so I ordered from the Netherlands and they arrived in two days!

 

The Jan/Feb Somerset Studio arrived and like last year, Lynne and I collaborated on an article.  The title of our workshop Crowning Glories is not meant to be literal or limiting, and we each presented different ways you could interpret the title.  Lynne describes and illustrates how impressed she was at seeing pages on exhibit from The Persian Book of Kings.  For my part of the article I took on a self-imposed challenge to incorporate faces, something I rarely do, and found inspiration from playing iPad Solitaire!  Whether you're traveling to see something unique at a museum or gallery, or you're procrastinating on the couch while playing games, you can find new directions to influence your work.

 

I decided to leave my panels in black and white for the article, but I've been working additional pieces in color, which I will show you another time.  This design style has become addicting and I can't stop making them.  Here are the original four colorized in Photoshop.

 

And a reminder about our workshop, which is filling up!  I think there is only one spot left in the first weekend before we start the waiting list, and a handful of spots left in the second weekend.  If you are interested, email Lynne, lkperrella (at) aol (dot) com for the packet of details.

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:

 

 

 

 

it's your lucky day - cool new book giveaway

Check out today's harvest of four leaf clovers.  It was a beautiful day and I hit the jackpot when walking to to mailbox!  They pulled through for Fallon and I as we shopped for prom dresses this afternoon.  We were at the fifth store when we found a dreamy selection tonight.  Whew!  I think I will spread the luck around by offering a giveaway.

My talented friend Julie wrote (and photographed) this cool new book with her workshop partner Chris.  They signed copy and Julie sent one for me to share with my faithful readers.  How cool is that? Acrylic Solutions: Exploring Mixed Media Layer by Layer by Julie Prichard and Chris Cozen.  You will love this one - super clever to have it as a spiral bound format so you can leave it open on your studio table and work through all the informative and useful chapters on creating with paint and all the juicy options for building in layers.  It's one of those books that you will continue learning from as you endeavor to elevate your work.  Don't you love when a book reveals lessons just when you need them?  I've already put post-it notes on pages that I will return to soon.  Lots of handsome visuals, and tons of great tips.  If you want to see more, check out Julie's workshops.  She powers out some stellar online classes, with well produced videos you can watch over and over, then get feedback and assistance as you work through the lessons.  An amazing value, from the convenience of your own workspace.

LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW TO BE ENTERED IN THE BOOK GIVEAWAY.  I will draw a name out of the top hat on Sunday, May 12th.  It will be a Happy Mother's Day for a lucky reader, and a tip of the hat to Julie who is celebrating a birthday then too!

i love art: architecture books

I went to school to be an architect and ended up with a degree in interior architecture.  One of my positions was a dream job of planning hotels around the world.  I got to design furniture, light fixtures, ballroom carpet, fabric, and some very cool architectural details in lobbies, restaurants, and guest room suites in far away places like Marrakech and Bangkok, and closer to home in Boston and New York.  I love studying architecture and get great enjoyment just paging through the collection of books I have on the subject, or even better, visiting glorious places.  Architecture definitely influences me and finds its way into my work.  My favorite style is Gothic Revival, and my favorite guy is Pugin.  But I also love Mackintosh, and Starck.  I didn't take the time to photograph my shelves, but thought I'd share some recent acquisitions.  The tall book is 26" high, and opens to scaled drawings of all the bell towers in Venice.  Equally cool is the panoramic views from both sides of the Grand Canal - over 42 feet long accordion folded, printed on both sides.  The day before I left on my trip the Venice Sketchbook arrived.  I love this series!  Makes me want to draw more.  Scroll down for workshops samples that are full-on evidence of what I love.

 

Check your Pulse

If you haven’t already met him, I’d like to introduce Mr. Seth Apter.  Our first exchange of blog comments dates back to 2007.  Always encouraging and enthusiastic, his remarks were not only appreciated, they became a foundation of a friendship.  In addition to being a mixed media artist, I’ve come to regard him as a curator and collaborator, which you will agree if you’ve frequented his Altered Page.  He regularly presents his own handsome work, as created for himself (like the "making Waves" series above), or as part of a collaborative project.  Some years ago he began presenting The Pulse – an ongoing self-imposed assignment where he surveys artists on a number of topics of interest.  A visit to his blog is always fun and informative and you will find yourself hopping around to the many useful links he provides, to events, exhibits, and sites, while widening your circle of acquaintances.

The online project has now manifested itself in book form.  Seth has once again culled from a community of artists, and invited many to share their art and their perspective by anwering many types of questions.    I am priviledged to be among the spotlighted contributors.  His book will be released this month so he is celebrating by presenting 31 artists in 31 days.  Visit his blog for daily updates, plus a chance to win a copy of his book, HERE. 

Queue the trumpets, sound the drums....

I have observed, both in the book preview available on Amazon, and the posts on his blog, that he doesn’t answer his own questions.  Ok, he did participate in chapter one of the Pulse on his blog a long time ago, but since then we have not heard his opinions.  Don’t you think it’s time we start asking him a few???  Pick up the pen Seth, (or poise your fingers over the keyboard), it’s your turn. 

Later this month I will be one of the guests for the two hour podcast where Seth will be co-host with Mark Lipinski at Creative Mojo.  And then I will join a group of artists for a live panel at The Ink Pad.  Looking forward to celebrating creativity and what it brings to our lives....and finally meeting the man!

March 28: Podcast with Mark Lipinski on Creative Mojo. Seth will be Mark's co-host for the entire 2 hour podcast which airs live from 3-5pm EST (and which will be archived for listening anytime). They will talk all about The Pulse of Mixed Media and be joined by contributors Michelle Ward, Angela Cartwright, Pam Carriker, Julie Prichard, and Lisa Hoffman. Get your questions ready as this radio show has a live call-in feature!

March 31: Live artist panel at The Ink Pad in NYC. Seth will be joined by contributors Leslie Marsh, Karen Cole, Jill Zaheer, Julie Prichard, Roxanne Evans Stout, and Michelle Ward. The panel will be video taped and available for viewing on Create Mixed Media sometime in early April.

EDIT:  HE HAS SPOKEN!  Please continue to join in the conversation taking place in the comment section below.  Seth has been a good sport about taking on the questions above...here are his answers:

1. I have always worked small and enjoy the challenge of having something small make a big impact. By far my largest piece to date was 3 feet x 3 feet and I made it as part of my Graffiti Wall collaboration with Julie Prichard and Lynne Hoppe. My most recent series of paintings, called Interior Angles, was created on 12" x 12" panels - and I have to say that I definitely liked working larger.

2. For my book, I wrote a very, very long list of questions from which I chose the ones that ended up in the book. They were all questions that came to me because I was curious about the answers and I felt that in all cases, the responses would really offer the reader insight into each contributing artist.

3. Autumn is definitely my favorite season in general and the one that is most inspirational too me. It is the combination of the feel of the season, the colors, the weather, the nature, the smells, the food, etc. that really gets me going.

4. One sentence huh? Now I know how my contributors feel when I ask them for only one instance of something. Here goes: Allow what is inside you to be your artistic guide, with a sense of playfulness, a feeling of passion, and not a trace of judgement.

APPLAUSE APPLAUSE!  Thank you Seth.  Hey, while we are clapping, how about the clever title of his sculptures at the top?  "Making Waves"...get it?  Waving hands.  *dies at the geniusness*

ruby tuesday: girls in the hood

 
 

First there was the familiar fairy tale, told by the Brothers Grimm and illustrated by many over the years.  Then there was a lovely and haunting depiction by one of my best friends, Judi Riesch.  I'm sure you all swooned over her art, especially these pages made for Sarah's Red Journal, published in True Colors. 

 
I found it fascinating to read Judi's text explaining that Lewis Carroll, aka Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, famous for writing Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, was also a photographer.  Judi's Red Riding Hood started with a Carroll photograph.  HCIT?  I wonder if his model for Alice was friends with Red? 

Last week my sweet friend Nancy sent me the recently published Little Red Riding Hood.  See HERE.  Oooh, that girl *gets* me.  Loved the illustrations by Daniel Egneus.  I was familiar with his work but was clueless about the book so I love that my friends look out for me.  (Thanks Nancy!)  Equally cool is the typography....*faints*.  Further down you'll see I was inspired and had to whip up some of my own to use on some Ruby Tuesday pages.

 

 

I learned that the illustrations from this book are currently on display in New York.  Since the the show closes Friday, and they are only open until 5pm, I may not make it.  My friend Andrew was going today and will give us the report.  Even if I don't make the show at least the discovery of the site led to the link to this, a video of The Making Of.  Gah!!  HERE.

 

 

 

 

These are unfinished or maybe they are done.  I'll decide later, but I am liking the simplicity of them.  No doubt there are more pages to come as I play with my box of gathered materials.  I'll see where it goes.  I know I will be in Riding Hood mode for a few more Tuesdays because THE MOVIE comes out next Friday!

 

EDIT:  Synchronicity....another of my BFFs posted about the RRH book.  Go see Lisa Hoffman's post HERE.  I was planning on buying the new book for all my favorite women....dang, looks like Lisa already got herself one.

captive

It's thundering outside now so I'm back to being held captive by all this junk in my studio.  If you saw this place you'd never know I was making progess, but I am.  In fact, most of my studio is now in the living room - making room for Graham to build me a new work table this weekend.  My hero!

When I'm not sorting through bins of stuff, I'm out at the pool with the family.  I love light reads in the summer - the kind you can pick up and put down.  You know, fun stuff.  Lynne made a suggestion to me that looked so good I pre-ordered it with the author's previous release.  I'm skipping around through both of them.  Really hilarious.  I may write to Rob and tell him I credit DD for my marriage, and meeting G.  If you are an 80s product, check these out. 

Talking about Girls about Duran Duran, by Rob Sheffield

Love is a Mix Tape, by Rob Sheffield

Was it last summer I read this one?  I think so...Lisa put me onto it.

Eccentric Glamour by Simon Doonan  Simon always delivers.

And a few years back, fell in love with this one.  I think Marylinn introduced me to Nick.  You saw About a Boy didn't you?  He wrote that.  *note to self* get more NH books.

Songbook by Nick Hornby (should have come with a music cd!)

What fun stuff are YOU reading?

five hundred posts....how about a giveaway?

 
  

 
 
Five hundred posts, nearly five hundred thousand page views, and not quite five years since I started this blog.  It took me a while to hit my stride (I look back at the teeny pictures I used to post *smacks head*) but I wouldn't have had nearly as much fun doing this if it wasn't for you, my readers.  I am so grateful that of all the places to visit online, you found me.  I cannot count the number of friends and connections made because of this address ~ I treasure that.  Thank you for coming here.  Thank you for leaving your comments that encourage me to continue. 

 

Leave another, and you will be entered for the drawing to win a copy of my friend Lynne Perrella's Art Making and Studio Spaces book.  In it you will find peeks into many wonderful artist's studios, and on pages 32-35 you'll see photos of my outdoor spray studio!  Edit: Drawing will be Sunday evening, July 11th.

 

one hand tied.....

I'm lucky it's my left hand that is out-of-commission.  I would be so bummed and restless if it was my right.  And thankfully I can still type....although it's slow-going fixing typos.  Oh, what happened exactly?  Not sure.  Self-diagnosis is a re-injury of the wrist, x-rays Tuesday.

 
My week has been spent preparing for an altered book class. I've been invited to teach a special full day workshop at the high school.  Loved revisiting this art form.  Fun to think about introducing it to students who have never heard of it.  They have no clue what coolness they are about to step into ;) I made a handout covering nearly twenty techiques so if we don't get to them all they can continue the work on their own.  Class is Monday.  I'll let you know how we do.

Have a great weekend.

playful and illusive

 

I love when a friend surprises me with a book, especially when it's one I haven't seen.  Recently, Judi gave me this one  - Playful Type, which is soon to come out in paperback.  If you enjoy lettering of all kinds then you might want to give this one a peek. 

Also about to launch:  Illusive 3.  I loved 1 & 2 so I will totally get 3.  I really enjoy these publications from Gestalten.com as they are simply full of art, no wordy explanations.  They give us views of artists who we might not otherwise meet, and leaves it up to us to further investigate, if interested, through the resource page. 

 

 

masters of illusion

 

I think Bergdorf has a total of 14 windows (edit: 18 windows!).  What a task to complete these scenes.  They change over several times a year - the holiday windows are worth a visit.  The 5th Avenue showcases will mesmerize you, but don't forget to go around the other two sides!  I wish you could get a sense of the dimension on these - lots of layers, lots of huge props, and tiny details.

 

 

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

The backdrops for these windows are enlargements from one of my favorite clipart books.  I adore the white windows on 5th Avenue, but I swooned at all the black&white&red on 57th.

 

  

We make the journey by train into the city every December just to see the windows, but we were lucky to catch them this year in November.  Hope you've enjoyed the illusion from your chair, wherever you are.  It's been a visually intensive few posts but I wanted to show you as much as I could - it's hard to capture the total wonderfulness with my humble camera, the glare, and other window gazers about.  How dare they get in my way?  Here are a few more from 5th Avenue, and 58th Street.

 

 

All credit for the Bergdorf Goodman holiday windows goes to Linda Fargo and David Hoey and their team of visual magic makers.  I saw David directing positioning of props and really wanted to interrupt for a fangirl moment and autograph but I could tell he was trying to beat the clock.  Very cool to see him right out on the street while hands behind the glass moved things around in the larger-than-life assemblage art.  I have seen a few local newscasts covering the window displays with sneak peeks into the workrooms.  This morning they interviewed David and he said it takes 9 months to prepare the Christmas windows, and they do it to entertain and inspire.  Mission accomplished!

Linda has a book, Dreams Through the Glass, that is hard-to-find (copies go for around $100).  I wish they would release a yearly publication with professional photos of the overall windows, the details and secrets hidden in each vignette, and some behind-the-scenes shots.  I'd buy it, wouldn't you?

Oh, and I dug up a photo taken of the phrenology heads from the 2006 holiday windows, wonder where they'll show up next:

 

   EDIT:  an article about Fargo and Hoey from 2007 HERE.

on my desk

 

Love shopping at tjmaxx, marshalls and home goods.  There are several that are dangerously close to everything.  This weeks score was a journal.  Cheap thrill.  And how about these pins?  What?  Your first stop at the mall isn't Hot Topic?   Usually it's our only destination.

  

It's time to read up on how to handle the seasonal change with my lovely rose bushes.  I'm clueless and need to figure out what I need to do asap.   It has brought me such simple pleasure to go visit my roses every day and I want to keep them safe for next year.  Any hints? 

My cousin Molly sent me this book, 90 minutes in heaven, and suggested I read chapter 2.  I admit I have not read the rest of the book.  All I needed to hear was Don Piper's account of heaven to give me a rush of peace and comfort.  Sure, I trusted that heaven was the kingdom it is promised to be, but his words came at the right time for me.  He describes, in simple words, what it was like to enter heaven.  My take-away is that there are no words yet invented to express the immense joy ahead of us.  My take-away, from this one chapter, was to be thrilled that my sister is there.  Thank you Molly, for this precious gift, for this perspective.  Another book I have found helpful is Surviving the Death of a Sibling.  Grief takes on many faces and it is different for all of us, even within one family.  Shannon was a wife, a daughter, a friend - but she was also my sister. 

Love my jumbo size Sharpie paint pens.  Messing around with them makes me really happy.  Love when they smear.  The nib on these things are 1/2" wide!  Get some!! 

 

 

 

 

  

And the braces are off!  Look at this lovely face.  I promised Fallon I wouldn't blog about her new *friend* (Anthony)....I'm not.  He may have been edited from the photo, but the blush he provoked is there.  Does that still get me in trouble?  *wink*

 

Congratulations to Kathryn Antyr for being the Top Hat Pick for Crusade No. 23.  It's our second anniversary at the Street Team blog! 

*Throws confetti on self*.

making headlines

See the news story HERE.  How about that headline?   I swear it was the author's choice, but it couldn't have been cooler!!  If you're here for the first time because of the article, here is the Marineland story:  READ  To order a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul:  Children with Special Needs, click HERE.  As you can imagine, it's a book filled with heartwarming stories.  (Great holiday or teacher gift!)

More Cleverness......

I just got a copy of my friend Laurie Mika's new book:  Mixed Media Mosaics.  It is a fantastic tutorial and handsome display of all the magic you can make with polymer clay.  She gives you all the tricks to make interesting tiles which can be used for all kinds of clever projects.  Even if you've never considered working in clay you will smack yourself in the forehead and wonder why not when you see what can be done with this versatile medium.  I'm NOT kidding, you'll love it!

I met Laurie online about 4 or 5 years ago when I came across her website showcasing her unique Icons.  (Later we were able to meet in real life.)  You get reeled in by her work as you investigate every little detail and marvel at her compositions and style.  I adored the architectural-ness of her pieces but what remains as my primary impression of seeing her work was the way she used color.  Uninhibited riot of color.  It was so refreshing, and still is.  Just as I was about to open an email to write my appreciation of her work I recognized that she was using some of the stamps I had designed in her work.  Say it with me:  How cool it that?  A friendship was born.  I am thrilled to be able to stand up on my chair (what?  you don't believe I'm standing?) and tell the world my friend has a wonderful book you just gotta get.  HERE.

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! 

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”.

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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