greenpepperpressblog

Michelle Ward/GreenPepperPress Blog

  • the shape of things

    MWepiphany09  

    So I looked at last year's post of Epiphany and saw I had used chess pieces.  Chess imagery remained a focus for me during '08.  In this October post I reviewed how the images have shown up in recent work, as well as past stuff.  I recognize that I have a portfolio of favorite shapes that turn up in my art - like this new fave which I don't have a name for yet.   (I think of it as a Byzantine tower, but need a catchier title.)  I think being obsessed with certain shapes is a good thing.  There is alot to learn by studying a shape, and reinventing how to use it.

    I just posted the new Crusade – Shape Up! where I challenge you to take on a new shape this month.  Investigate it in both positive and negative, and in several sizes.  Make your own tools with the shape – like cutting stamps and stencils.  It's a great excuse to get some pages done in your journal. And I promise you, you will learn something.  AND you'll have fun seeing how others interpret the challenge.  It's a new year, why not Shape Up?  Come play along on the team.

    GPPC27bannersm 

    Congrats to recent winners Julie Thornton (Crusade No. 26 – Scent of the Season) and Kim Mailhot (Crusade No. 25 – Properties of Gesso).  It's really fun to take on a creativity prompt with a community of artists who are all working on the same thing.  We learn so much from each other, and widen the circle of friends. 

  • the shape of things

    MWepiphany09  

    So I looked at last year's post of Epiphany and saw I had used chess pieces.  Chess imagery remained a focus for me during '08.  In this October post I reviewed how the images have shown up in recent work, as well as past stuff.  I recognize that I have a portfolio of favorite shapes that turn up in my art - like this new fave which I don't have a name for yet.   (I think of it as a Byzantine tower, but need a catchier title.)  I think being obsessed with certain shapes is a good thing.  There is alot to learn by studying a shape, and reinventing how to use it.

    I just posted the new Crusade – Shape Up! where I challenge you to take on a new shape this month.  Investigate it in both positive and negative, and in several sizes.  Make your own tools with the shape – like cutting stamps and stencils.  It's a great excuse to get some pages done in your journal. And I promise you, you will learn something.  AND you'll have fun seeing how others interpret the challenge.  It's a new year, why not Shape Up?  Come play along on the team.

    GPPC27bannersm 

    Congrats to recent winners Julie Thornton (Crusade No. 26 – Scent of the Season) and Kim Mailhot (Crusade No. 25 – Properties of Gesso).  It's really fun to take on a creativity prompt with a community of artists who are all working on the same thing.  We learn so much from each other, and widen the circle of friends. 

  • some finds

    Check out these cool zips!  I scored the turquiose one (in the banner) for a friend and found out I was Elaine's first etsy sale!  Check her out, but save a red rose for me!  Love those hearts.  Perfect for your Valentine.

    ETSYzippinning 

    I had a few rings made for myself from Alicia.  Is there a word or two you need?  Order one up!  And how about that Wink?  HAD to have it, made by Heather.

    ETSYfinds 

    My friend Anne found a great "Get You" gift – a watch with the Big Ben face!  HCIT?  We were in England together a few years back.  OMG, nearly 25 years ago!

    MWwatchfromAnne

    And a special ornament – I found it at TJ Maxx.  When I saw the packaging I scooped it up as it reminded me of the Angel Shannon gave me one year.  When I read the message on the wing I knew it was for me.  Now that my ornaments are safely put away I will hang this on my dresser mirror with the angel, to remind me to Rise.

    MWornamental

  • some finds

    Check out these cool zips!  I scored the turquiose one (in the banner) for a friend and found out I was Elaine's first etsy sale!  Check her out, but save a red rose for me!  Love those hearts.  Perfect for your Valentine.

    ETSYzippinning 

    I had a few rings made for myself from Alicia.  Is there a word or two you need?  Order one up!  And how about that Wink?  HAD to have it, made by Heather.

    ETSYfinds 

    My friend Anne found a great "Get You" gift – a watch with the Big Ben face!  HCIT?  We were in England together a few years back.  OMG, nearly 25 years ago!

    MWwatchfromAnne

    And a special ornament – I found it at TJ Maxx.  When I saw the packaging I scooped it up as it reminded me of the Angel Shannon gave me one year.  When I read the message on the wing I knew it was for me.  Now that my ornaments are safely put away I will hang this on my dresser mirror with the angel, to remind me to Rise.

    MWornamental

  • bring it on

    MWnewyear09c 

    MWnewyear09 

    MWnewyear09b 

    2008 will settle itself in my heart, but not as a dark cloud….as a pink glow.  I will continue to process the evidence of '08 in my journal but I am ready for what lies ahead.  I can take it.  I embrace it.  Bring it on.

  • bring it on

    MWnewyear09c 

    MWnewyear09 

    MWnewyear09b 

    2008 will settle itself in my heart, but not as a dark cloud….as a pink glow.  I will continue to process the evidence of '08 in my journal but I am ready for what lies ahead.  I can take it.  I embrace it.  Bring it on.

  • drum roll…….

    MWdoyousee3  

    i know that they have several meaings – in gesture form it's 'crossing fingers' for good luck or to negate a promise, and the other is 'a-ok', or 'all is well'.  they are letters in sign language too. 

    but to me, i see 'x' and 'o'.  in text-talk it's #9 x2, #6 x3.   tina got it first.  she knows me well.  and yes, megan, when they are finished, and on display in our home, it will be a *wink*.  

    the clue:  journal pages from here and here.  and one of my graphics, made for inge last january to explain the meaning of "xo".

    MichelleWardxoxo 

    More on the subject, some etsy finds from Renee at PanicMama, and Andrea at SterlingNStones.  (More etsy finds after the 1st.)

    Etsyxo 

    This is a teeny weeny magnetic sculpture thing that is addictive to play with.  Scored it at Borders on one of those spinners at the checkout meant for impulse buyers like me.

    MWxomagnet  

    And these, from Michaels, will be spray painted as soon as I can get outside to do it.

    MWunfinishedxo 

    I promise you I'm not already in Valentine mode.  Just testing my camera 🙂

  • drum roll…….

    MWdoyousee3  

    i know that they have several meaings – in gesture form it's 'crossing fingers' for good luck or to negate a promise, and the other is 'a-ok', or 'all is well'.  they are letters in sign language too. 

    but to me, i see 'x' and 'o'.  in text-talk it's #9 x2, #6 x3.   tina got it first.  she knows me well.  and yes, megan, when they are finished, and on display in our home, it will be a *wink*.  

    the clue:  journal pages from here and here.  and one of my graphics, made for inge last january to explain the meaning of "xo".

    MichelleWardxoxo 

    More on the subject, some etsy finds from Renee at PanicMama, and Andrea at SterlingNStones.  (More etsy finds after the 1st.)

    Etsyxo 

    This is a teeny weeny magnetic sculpture thing that is addictive to play with.  Scored it at Borders on one of those spinners at the checkout meant for impulse buyers like me.

    MWxomagnet  

    And these, from Michaels, will be spray painted as soon as I can get outside to do it.

    MWunfinishedxo 

    I promise you I'm not already in Valentine mode.  Just testing my camera 🙂

  • hand signals

    MWdoyousee1 

    The hand on the left I've had for a while.  I was planning on making a paper-pleated cuff for it.  As I was revisiting my list of projects to complete I suddenly had an epiphany.  I knew that the hand on the right was sitting on the shelf at TJ Maxx.  Ran out and got it today.  In addition to being another hand-that-needs-a-cool-paper-cuff, it was necessary to have.   (And I'm trying out my new camera from Graham.  It has an anti-jiggle thing that really works.) 

    Do you see what I see?

    MWdoyousee2 

    It's really easy and I'm sure you can see it now.  It's just a fun example of seeing something beyond what it's meant to mean.  Still not sure?  Tune in tomorrow.

    EDIT:  Oh, and on the Street Team we are taking evidence in our journals with Scent of the Season, Crusade No. 26.  Document the scents from right now to recall your just-made memories at another time.  There are a few days left to come play.  Due January 1st.

  • hand signals

    MWdoyousee1 

    The hand on the left I've had for a while.  I was planning on making a paper-pleated cuff for it.  As I was revisiting my list of projects to complete I suddenly had an epiphany.  I knew that the hand on the right was sitting on the shelf at TJ Maxx.  Ran out and got it today.  In addition to being another hand-that-needs-a-cool-paper-cuff, it was necessary to have.   (And I'm trying out my new camera from Graham.  It has an anti-jiggle thing that really works.) 

    Do you see what I see?

    MWdoyousee2 

    It's really easy and I'm sure you can see it now.  It's just a fun example of seeing something beyond what it's meant to mean.  Still not sure?  Tune in tomorrow.

    EDIT:  Oh, and on the Street Team we are taking evidence in our journals with Scent of the Season, Crusade No. 26.  Document the scents from right now to recall your just-made memories at another time.  There are a few days left to come play.  Due January 1st.