michelle ward

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!!

planning, prepping, packing

I love September!  Even though I miss having the kids around and would like the summer to be a little longer, I love that 3/4 of the way through the year we have an opportunity to start over.  Just like the students who are breaking in new books and adjusting to a change in routine, we can reinvent our habits, start new practices, and move forward with a revised vision for the rest of the year.  And as a bonus, the evenings and mornings are cooler...and that energizes me!

I have been enjoying the new spray paints I told you about and I will show you some of that soon.  I did learn that Liquitex headquarters is in my town.  Really?  Right here?  How's that for being a small world?  I wish they had a storefront...I'd be showing up often for refills.  So I had to set aside spraying for a bit because I wanted to get a jumpstart on prepping for my next event, Synchronicity.  I loved making the handout - I tried a new format and it was a blast!  In fact, I want to drop everything and make handouts for my 2013 workshops!  In less than a month I will be at Valley Ridge.  I will dearly miss my annual visits where I had amazing experiences, met treasured friends, and witnessed rampant creativity.  I'm grateful to be part of the final cast, especially on the final weekend.  I'm already blinking away tears. 

 

In addition to taking care of business and trying to stay on top of assignments and deadlines, I'm happily planning for a very big trip.  I am going to England and Italy in November!  Can you stand it?? 

 

It was five years ago this weekend that I posted the photos below for Crusade No. 12 - Crush On You.  I confessed to crushing on gothic architecture.  And because of that crush I've fallen in love with buildings, and with cities.  For many years It's been a dream of mine to get to Venice.  And now I'm going!!  VENICE!!  I am thrilled to be going back to England, where Fallon and I will visit family, and see London...then we are off to Venice and Verona.  I'm reading and researching and taking notes and getting thoroughly giddy.  A dream come true.  Pinch me!

I'm booking the hotel this week.  I think I am settled on which one....if you have any recommendations based on your own experience for places to visit in Venice I am all ears. 

Withering petals, Workshop in Wisconsin, and Whales

*waves*  Hello!  It's been a while.  When we last spoke I was on my way to Valley Ridge.  We had a terrific time - a full class of enthusiastic artists who painted and played for three whole days!  It was rewarding on so many levels and filled my well for a long time.  Love being in the studio and feeling the energy that gets generated when artists gather.

One of our assignments was to walk the gorgeous property in search of new shapes to inspire hand-crafted tools (stencils and stamps).  It was a perfect break from the work, to take in the scenery, breath in the not-quite-fall-air, enjoy the sun, and observe all that was before us.  I found my way to Katherine's garden - very much in hiberbation and decay, with amazing shapes.  The once vibrant flowers and plants presenting themselves as dried pods and other interesting stages of non-life. 

 

I later learned these were coneflowers - typically adorned with violet petals.  My impression upon observing the dried evidence, was that the flower had possibly been a black-eyed susan, with golden petals.  I am so glad I didn't know they were once purple, as the darker rustier color served as my inspiration for this painting.  I used the river rocks stencil by Mary Beth, adding in a few larger stones to make it my own for the section of ground.  I made my own stencils for the flowers, and included roots since my attempt at pulling a few to photograph came straight from the earth with entire stem and roots. 

 

Some evidence of our walk around the perimeter of the VR property....Mom is there gathering weeds and avoiding coyotes.  (Actually, we only hear them at night....haven't seen one there yet.)

 

Here is the group - thank you ladies!  I loved seeing your individual perspectives, and your fabulous work.  So much fun to see old friends and make new ones.  I had a great time Raising the Bar with you :)

And just days after arriving home from Wisconsin we road tripped up to Canada.  It's been a few years since we have been there and promised the kids a return visit to see our beloved friends, the orcas.  You can read about our previous memorable visits in a past post HERE.  It was so heavy with rain on the first day that the park was not even open.  Drats.  Luckily it cleared enough by the next day that we headed straight for Friendship Cove at Marineland, Niagara Falls, Ontario, to see Kiska and Ike.  A happy ending.

 

 

 

Outta here

 

TOMORROW:  1196.62 miles to my parents house.  Then another 225 to the cabin.  25th class reunion, and visits with family and friends.  Back in 2 weeks.  No computer connections, I'll miss it here.  Be good.