cut it out!

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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.

 

Michelle Ward Somerset Studio Creating Opportunity NovDec 2015

Michelle Ward Portals Artist Book

 

Michelle Ward Synchronicity Artist Book

Comments

40 responses to “cut it out!”

  1. Suzanne Bouchard Avatar

    Love it! Just incrdible! Can’t wait to read the article!

  2. Suzanne Bouchard Avatar

    Love it! Just incrdible! Can’t wait to read the article!

  3. Lay Hoon Avatar

    Awesome ! Can’t wait to read through ‘behind the scene’.

  4. Lay Hoon Avatar

    Awesome ! Can’t wait to read through ‘behind the scene’.

  5. Marylinn Kelly Avatar

    Your work always stops me for a moment, the precision, balance, engineering, imagination. Stunning examples and an inspired approach to an assignment, to do the cutting first. You continue to amaze. xo

  6. Marylinn Kelly Avatar

    Your work always stops me for a moment, the precision, balance, engineering, imagination. Stunning examples and an inspired approach to an assignment, to do the cutting first. You continue to amaze. xo

  7. Marlynn Avatar
    Marlynn

    Been there in both of these with you and know your mantra too well. COMMIT. AND I might say still working on both projects. These are just too much fun. Miss you. Love you!

  8. Marlynn Avatar
    Marlynn

    Been there in both of these with you and know your mantra too well. COMMIT. AND I might say still working on both projects. These are just too much fun. Miss you. Love you!

  9. Carrie Avatar

    I remember your exhortation to COMMIT! from the Debris Journal class 🙂 I love this idea of committing before coloring. Also, I may be drooling a little over your very Gothic, sorta pop-up-book like Portals piece. Me likey.

  10. Carrie Avatar

    I remember your exhortation to COMMIT! from the Debris Journal class 🙂 I love this idea of committing before coloring. Also, I may be drooling a little over your very Gothic, sorta pop-up-book like Portals piece. Me likey.

  11. stephanie Avatar
    stephanie

    Great suggestion. Can’t wait to read the article. You’ve been missed 🙂

  12. stephanie Avatar
    stephanie

    Great suggestion. Can’t wait to read the article. You’ve been missed 🙂

  13. Elissa Avatar
    Elissa

    Michelle, I’ve begun buying Somerset Studio just for your column. This latest edition goes above and beyond.
    Please, please consider coming to Ottawa to teach!

  14. Elissa Avatar
    Elissa

    Michelle, I’ve begun buying Somerset Studio just for your column. This latest edition goes above and beyond.
    Please, please consider coming to Ottawa to teach!

  15. Bernice Avatar

    Fabulous. What size is the zigzag book at the top under Portals please?

  16. Bernice Avatar

    Fabulous. What size is the zigzag book at the top under Portals please?

  17. michelleward Avatar

    Bernice, the accordion book is 10″ tall, and 28″ wide, each panel 7″ wide. I use full sheets of Bristol Vellum from Strathmore.

  18. michelleward Avatar

    Bernice, the accordion book is 10″ tall, and 28″ wide, each panel 7″ wide. I use full sheets of Bristol Vellum from Strathmore.

  19. michelleward Avatar

    Thanks Elissa. I will think about Ottawa 🙂

  20. michelleward Avatar

    Thanks Elissa. I will think about Ottawa 🙂

  21. michelleward Avatar

    Thanks Stephanie. The studio clean-up/reorganization took longer than I thought!

  22. michelleward Avatar

    Thanks Stephanie. The studio clean-up/reorganization took longer than I thought!

  23. michelleward Avatar

    Yep, you know it Marlynn…commit! <3

  24. michelleward Avatar

    Yep, you know it Marlynn…commit! <3

  25. michelleward Avatar

    Awwww, thanks Marylinn. xo

  26. michelleward Avatar

    Awwww, thanks Marylinn. xo

  27. Jenny Nicholls Avatar
    Jenny Nicholls

    I’m so glad Bernice asked the question and thank you for your reply. I also loved your article and had begun planning both projects but can’t decide which one to do first!

  28. Jenny Nicholls Avatar
    Jenny Nicholls

    I’m so glad Bernice asked the question and thank you for your reply. I also loved your article and had begun planning both projects but can’t decide which one to do first!

  29. Sandie Avatar

    These are amazing projects! So inspired to start playing with my gelli plate and will need to buy a copy of the magazine! Thank you!

  30. Sandie Avatar

    These are amazing projects! So inspired to start playing with my gelli plate and will need to buy a copy of the magazine! Thank you!

  31. Jan Avatar
    Jan

    I was so pleased to see this article in Somerset Studio. I am a great fan of you work. Thanks for sharing it!
    I was watching a Gelli Plate video in which they used your plant stencils and masks. Are they still available for purchase? I can’t seem to find them on the web.

  32. Jan Avatar
    Jan

    I was so pleased to see this article in Somerset Studio. I am a great fan of you work. Thanks for sharing it!
    I was watching a Gelli Plate video in which they used your plant stencils and masks. Are they still available for purchase? I can’t seem to find them on the web.

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