greenpepperpressblog

Michelle Ward/GreenPepperPress Blog

  • When is canning season?

    Ha!  Canning season, I wouldn't know.  I don't can.  I don't garden….except for roses.  But I have been collecting cans for other purposes.  See below….Liquitex has a new spray paint.  I read about it today and just had to go get some and try it out (because I'm impulsive, and I was lonely at home without kids).  A fine array of colors.  A very nice matte finish.  Low odor.  Nice nozzle and round spray radius.  Clever packaging with color indicator dome.  Super easy clean-up because it's WATER BASED.  They claim you can paint acrylic right over it.  I will try that tomorrow.  Might have to go back for more colors.  Michael's has a special:  buy two get one free.  They are pricey so it's a nice deal.  Consider me the lab monkey.  I approve.

    MWnewpaint

    MWWinstonlikespaint

    LINKS:  Spray paint, available at Michaels, by Liquitex.  Stencils, available at GreenPepperPress.com or StencilGirlProducts.com 

     

    On the subject of cans…..these new Warhol commemoratives, found (by accident) at Target!  Had to get one of each.  Tore off the label (actually, surgically removed with great care) and will put in my journal.  I think my pages may curl up from fright, having never hosted so much color.  I will be sporting my soup shoes later this month at the Met for a new show:  Regarding Warhol:  Sixty Artists, Fifty Years.

    MWWarholSoup

    MWWarholStash
    Note:  the shoes are by Icon and are no longer in their collection.  Maybe you'll get lucky and find a pair on ebay like I did.  Bag and figures were gifts, no resource available.

  • When is canning season?

    Ha!  Canning season, I wouldn't know.  I don't can.  I don't garden….except for roses.  But I have been collecting cans for other purposes.  See below….Liquitex has a new spray paint.  I read about it today and just had to go get some and try it out (because I'm impulsive, and I was lonely at home without kids).  A fine array of colors.  A very nice matte finish.  Low odor.  Nice nozzle and round spray radius.  Clever packaging with color indicator dome.  Super easy clean-up because it's WATER BASED.  They claim you can paint acrylic right over it.  I will try that tomorrow.  Might have to go back for more colors.  Michael's has a special:  buy two get one free.  They are pricey so it's a nice deal.  Consider me the lab monkey.  I approve.

    MWnewpaint

    MWWinstonlikespaint

    LINKS:  Spray paint, available at Michaels, by Liquitex.  Stencils, available at GreenPepperPress.com or StencilGirlProducts.com 

     

    On the subject of cans…..these new Warhol commemoratives, found (by accident) at Target!  Had to get one of each.  Tore off the label (actually, surgically removed with great care) and will put in my journal.  I think my pages may curl up from fright, having never hosted so much color.  I will be sporting my soup shoes later this month at the Met for a new show:  Regarding Warhol:  Sixty Artists, Fifty Years.

    MWWarholSoup

    MWWarholStash
    Note:  the shoes are by Icon and are no longer in their collection.  Maybe you'll get lucky and find a pair on ebay like I did.  Bag and figures were gifts, no resource available.

  • The Raven with a Tell-Tale Heart

    MWRavenGrid

    A few months ago a showed you my plaster covered hands.  I was involved in a MakeItYourOwn project.  You can read about it in the Sept/Oct Somerset Studio.  I loved trying to figure out how to make a raven from a few simple supplies.  I admit in the article that I would do a few things differently, like cutting smaller feathers.  My guy seems to look more like a Goth Bald Eagle than a sinister Raven….or maybe he even looks like a penguin recovering from an oil spill.  When I put him in context with my other Halloween decorations, which includes lots of black birds and Poe figures, I think he will pass as a raven. 

     

    MWRavenArticle

     

    I didn't include stepped out directions in the article because that would have meant stopping to take great pictures, or sending along several versions of the raven-in-process.  Sometimes you just gotta stay in the groove and keep working, right?  I did manage a few quickie shots – not good enough for publication but they serve as a record for myself, and maybe they'll be useful should you take it on yourself.  With my own visuals I can clarify a few things….like what is that white unidentified object in the photo above?  It's the balloon body, covered in plaster strips….scroll down, you'll see.

    First, the journal pages.  I started by attaching some of my sketches as I was formulating ideas.  One page actually has all the samplings of materials, evidence right from the table, including the plaster dripped scrap paper that protected my work surface.

     

     

     

    MwPoeJournal1

     

    MWPoeJournal2

     

    MWPoeJournal3

     

    MWPoeJournal4

     

     

    MWRavenStart

     

     

    MWRavenBody

     

     

    MWRavenLegs

     

     

    MWRavenPortal

     

     

    MWRavenFeathered

     

     

    MWRavenDoors

     

     

     

    MWRavenFinal

     

     

    MWRavenPackage

    MW SS SO12

  • The Raven with a Tell-Tale Heart

    MWRavenGrid

    A few months ago a showed you my plaster covered hands.  I was involved in a MakeItYourOwn project.  You can read about it in the Sept/Oct Somerset Studio.  I loved trying to figure out how to make a raven from a few simple supplies.  I admit in the article that I would do a few things differently, like cutting smaller feathers.  My guy seems to look more like a Goth Bald Eagle than a sinister Raven….or maybe he even looks like a penguin recovering from an oil spill.  When I put him in context with my other Halloween decorations, which includes lots of black birds and Poe figures, I think he will pass as a raven. 

     

    MWRavenArticle

     

    I didn't include stepped out directions in the article because that would have meant stopping to take great pictures, or sending along several versions of the raven-in-process.  Sometimes you just gotta stay in the groove and keep working, right?  I did manage a few quickie shots – not good enough for publication but they serve as a record for myself, and maybe they'll be useful should you take it on yourself.  With my own visuals I can clarify a few things….like what is that white unidentified object in the photo above?  It's the balloon body, covered in plaster strips….scroll down, you'll see.

    First, the journal pages.  I started by attaching some of my sketches as I was formulating ideas.  One page actually has all the samplings of materials, evidence right from the table, including the plaster dripped scrap paper that protected my work surface.

     

     

     

    MwPoeJournal1

     

    MWPoeJournal2

     

    MWPoeJournal3

     

    MWPoeJournal4

     

     

    MWRavenStart

     

     

    MWRavenBody

     

     

    MWRavenLegs

     

     

    MWRavenPortal

     

     

    MWRavenFeathered

     

     

    MWRavenDoors

     

     

     

    MWRavenFinal

     

     

    MWRavenPackage

    MW SS SO12

  • M.W.

    Aha!  Look, same initials as me!  My go-to dictionary online or in real life is Merriam Webster.  Their website is fun to visit for lots of reasons.  Recently they posted some of the new official word entries….did you see?  They have a section on the site, the Open Dictionary, to submit words you think you should be added…. one was fangirl, but as a verb.  I can see that, but shouldn't it also be a noun?

    MWahamoment

    MWahamoment2

     EDIT:  oops, forgot to include this……

    MWHIMfangirlmoment

  • M.W.

    Aha!  Look, same initials as me!  My go-to dictionary online or in real life is Merriam Webster.  Their website is fun to visit for lots of reasons.  Recently they posted some of the new official word entries….did you see?  They have a section on the site, the Open Dictionary, to submit words you think you should be added…. one was fangirl, but as a verb.  I can see that, but shouldn't it also be a noun?

    MWahamoment

    MWahamoment2

     EDIT:  oops, forgot to include this……

    MWHIMfangirlmoment

  • Come join us Nearby, as we go to Far Away Places

    MWFarAwayPlaces2

    Join Lynne and I in Connecticut in May for the Far Away Places three-day workshop!  We have booked two weekends at a great place – within driving distance for locals.  I love that!  You can pack supplies with reckless abandon, not worrying about what will fit in your suitcase.  The two options:  May 3 – 5, OR May 10 – 12.  Hey!  May 12th is Mother's Day – why not treat yourself to a getaway, or hint around that you've found the perfect gift *wink*.  Lynne and I have collaborated together for years, but this will be our very first workshop co-teaching.  A three day event is such a different experience than your typical class.  It means really being able to immerse yourself - you get to spread out at your own table, and leave your stuff there!  No rushing to pack and move on to another class.  Settle in, shed your cares, and be a full time artist all day long…for three days!  I can't wait!! 

    Registration begins NOW!  Email Lynne at LKPerrella@aol.com to reserve a spot, and to get more details.  She has an information document covering all the particulars that she'll send you.  Any questions, send either of us a note.  Hope to see you there!  EDIT:  the first weekend, May 3-5, is now full. 

    MW LKPfaraway

    MW farawayevidence

  • Come join us Nearby, as we go to Far Away Places

    MWFarAwayPlaces2

    Join Lynne and I in Connecticut in May for the Far Away Places three-day workshop!  We have booked two weekends at a great place – within driving distance for locals.  I love that!  You can pack supplies with reckless abandon, not worrying about what will fit in your suitcase.  The two options:  May 3 – 5, OR May 10 – 12.  Hey!  May 12th is Mother's Day – why not treat yourself to a getaway, or hint around that you've found the perfect gift *wink*.  Lynne and I have collaborated together for years, but this will be our very first workshop co-teaching.  A three day event is such a different experience than your typical class.  It means really being able to immerse yourself - you get to spread out at your own table, and leave your stuff there!  No rushing to pack and move on to another class.  Settle in, shed your cares, and be a full time artist all day long…for three days!  I can't wait!! 

    Registration begins NOW!  Email Lynne at LKPerrella@aol.com to reserve a spot, and to get more details.  She has an information document covering all the particulars that she'll send you.  Any questions, send either of us a note.  Hope to see you there!  EDIT:  the first weekend, May 3-5, is now full. 

    MW LKPfaraway

    MW farawayevidence

  • save the date!

    MWLPsavethedateNEW

    It's been one of those weeks!  After returning home from vacation I had to get back on the deadline treadmill to prepare and propose workshops for Create NJ 2013, and wrap up some details on a new corporate identity assignment.  Next I will be completing my class samples for an upcoming event with Lynne Perrella.  We are both so excited to be offering this in our neck of the woods.  What could be more fun than co-teaching a special friend, who is also an amazing talent??!!  It's sure to be an excellent experience.  This is definitely one of the occasions that fits "Love what you do and you'll never work a day in your life".  Stay tuned as we will reveal the announcement and registration information next week. 

  • save the date!

    MWLPsavethedateNEW

    It's been one of those weeks!  After returning home from vacation I had to get back on the deadline treadmill to prepare and propose workshops for Create NJ 2013, and wrap up some details on a new corporate identity assignment.  Next I will be completing my class samples for an upcoming event with Lynne Perrella.  We are both so excited to be offering this in our neck of the woods.  What could be more fun than co-teaching a special friend, who is also an amazing talent??!!  It's sure to be an excellent experience.  This is definitely one of the occasions that fits "Love what you do and you'll never work a day in your life".  Stay tuned as we will reveal the announcement and registration information next week.