Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy 2018!! xo
Michelle Ward/GreenPepperPress Blog
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One of my favorite classes from college was Color Theory. Not only did we learn a lot about hue perception and color relationships in conceptual form, but we also had to mix paint on swatches (hundreds of them), then cut and manipulate into compositions. There were many projects that had to adhere to strict format of presentation. Even with all the rules there was enough room for personal choices, thereby yielding unique expressions of creativity amongst my fellow students. The lessons learned from that course still resonate with me today and it was so much fun to revisit – this time with less rules and no grading rubric. The article appears in the January/February issue of Somerset Studio.
Below are pieces from 1984 – I still have the zippered leather three-ring binder filled with the assignments that gave me great angst at the time. It was a pleasure to take artistic liberty as I reinvented using the Chromabridge to build new work.
As I was preparing for this article I reached out to the current instructor of the same class at the University of Minnesota. Turns out she was also a student of Lee Fargo, and we may have passed one another in the halls. I was disappointed to learn that students are no longer required to mix paints, and instead prepare all their assignments digitally, as most of the class is online. While I think there is merit in learning how to build similar compositions with the aid of a computer, I also think the students are missing out on a huge element of discovery – using their hands to mix paint and apply to paper, using their eyes to discern equal steps of a gradation, and then carefully measure, cut and assemble a collage with tangible moving parts. However, I got the sense that she is enthusiastic about the subject and the students are in good hands, regardless of the format.
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Don't forget!!! Creative JumpStart starts January 1st!! Have you signed up? Early registration discount ends 12/31 ($45) so get in on this deal!!! You will be treated to 31 days of inspiration to start the year with motivation to stay creative.
I'm excited to be playing along. Come join us!! More details here:
http://nathaliesstudio.com/learn/ online-workshops/ creative-jumpstart-2018/ ?wpam_id=15 -
Wishing you a blessed holiday, whatever you celebrate. Here's our annual photo card, and evidence of the family at a HIM concert. Theme this year honors our favorite band as we followed them on their farewell tour. Toasting many fun years seeing them live (x22). We will always have the music, and the memories.
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Do you follow the annual Pantone Color of the Year? This year is Ultra Violet. You can read more about it HERE. It's very close to the color they announced earlier this year in collaboration with Prince's estate. Read about that HERE.
While waiting for the unveiling of 2018, we were speculating which direction it might go. I was hoping for something in the yellow family – like a handsome rich mustard. Below is a chart of selections from 2000 to 2018. Out of curiosity I created an approximate color wheel placement of past colors and confirmed that there have been several similar shades, and yellow is under-represented.
If you had to pick a color for the upcoming year, what would you choose?
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I'm excited to announce that I'll be participating as an artist in Creative JumpStart (CJS) 2018, run for the 7th time by Nathalie Kalbach. If you're not familiar with CJS, it's a one-of-a-kind online event to kick your creativity into high gear in January 2018.
Learn techniques, discover new materials, and connect with other artists and crafters.
Throughout January participants get access to 31 downloadable videos from 31 featured artists. I'm proud to be one of those artists, called “JumpStarters.” See for yourself:
Announcing Creative JumpStart 2018 – CJS18 from Nathalie Kalbach on Vimeo.
Head on over to Nathalie's site to sign up and for more details: HERE
You get 31 Downloadable videos – over 6 hours of unique content – for just $40 (USD) if you sign up by November 29 11:59 pm EST, 2017. Afterwards it will be $45 (USD) until December 31st, 2017 before it goes to its normal sale price of $50 (USD).
So what are you waiting for? Sign up here at CJS: HERE
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My SGP stencils are on sale! (And ALL StencilGirlProduct Stencils!)
Cyber Monday: Save 25% off all* stencils
Use code: cyber25
Monday, November 27, 2017
from midnight until 11:59 p.m. CST (Central Standard Time) USAPLUS 10% discount when you buy 6 stencils of the same size!
NEW THIS YEAR! Choose 1 FREE large stencil for every $100 spent (after discounts are applied). You MUST specify your choice(s) by L### code in the comments section of the cart when you check out or it will be StencilGirl's choice. Sorry, no exceptions.
BONUS! Spend $500+ (after discounts are applied) and StencilGirl will send you an original work of art by Mary Beth Shaw.
SHOP Michelle Ward Stencils: HERE
After Cyber Monday, you can get 20% off all stencils on Tuesday & Wednesday
Use code: cyber20
Tuesday, November 28, 2017, & Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Sale ends at 11:59 p.m. CST (Central Standard Time) USA
10% off 6 stencils of the same size discount, FREE stencil(s), and Bonus still apply.*Stencils only. Does not apply to DVDs, books, tools, wholesale orders, StencilClub, or gift certificates. The StencilClub exclusive monthly member discount does not apply.
Here is a link in case you need to check your time zone against St.Louis, MO:
https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/personal.html -
Had a full table of family and friends….great day! Hoping you had the same!
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Happy Birthday to my favorite rock star, turning 41 today. We got to see him perform with his band twice last week, in Philly and NYC, on their farewell tour. Yes, farewell. It was glorious, yet heartbreaking. Feeling so lucky to have had this era of HIM. We will always be LOVE METAL fans and hope we will hear from each of them in the future. Here's a link to my favorite track, from the PA show: HERE
On this day, twenty years ago, we lost Michael Hutchence from INXS, who was another crush. Can't believe it's been that long. Thankfully the music lives on forever, as well as many memories of seeing them live. One of my faves: HERE
And sadly, I'm sure you've heard, yesterday we lost David Cassidy. He was my first rock star crush. Below is from a post I made in 2010 when he turned 60. Again, the music lives on….
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Many of you already know this – I collect souvenir spoons. Gathered from places we've visited, it's a fun ritual to pull out each year and reminisce as we hang on our Christmas tree. One of my self-imposed assignments, on a long list of things I've been wanting to do, was to start journaling Christmas. I've been wanting to capture the stories, the traditions, and document the history of our decorations and ornaments. The easiest way to begin was to document the spoon collection. There are so many, nearly 70, that they get their own journal. The pages are a hybrid of handwriting and digital compositions. There's still a long way to go before I'm finished, but it feels good to have finally launched the project. You can read more about it in the current Somerset Studio – November/December 2017.
Telling the stories behind our spoons makes the collection even more special. It's an untraditional practice that has become a tradition for us.
What unusual thing do you do during the holidays? They are approaching quickly! Ack!!!
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Hope you had a wonderful Halloween. It was cold here so Sam and I went out early this year. It was actually more fun to be out in the daylight because we got to see all the young crowds of kids and parents in our neighborhood. We stayed out just long enough to get the benefit from Sam's new pumpkin candy bucket with light-up handle and downlights that lit the sidewalk. Pretty cool, especially in the dark. He loves anything flashlight related so this was a big score (from Target earlier this afternoon). He went in his default costume: Uncle Sam.
Thank you again for the tremendous support of our fundraiser. Friends, family, and friends-we've-never-met, joined in from around the globe, to link elbows with us in a big circle of positivity to say that "artist's matter" as we ventured to make a difference. In less than a month we sold out our Art Print cards and raised our goal of $4000. With a match from Etsy, we completed a total donation of $8000 to CERF+.
Thanks to you, and to my colleagues, who answered the call to participate with their art, their heart, and the hard work of spreading the word. To be honest, I've never spent so much time on "social media" promoting a cause, and appreciate all the likes, shares, and comments that helped us along and contributed to a successful campaign – and of course, your orders! We couldn't have done it without the orders! I've definitely learned a lot thru this process – about people, about platforms, and I have a full page of notes should we launch another event in the future. It was hard work, but we did it!!! It means so much to us that so many of YOU gathered as a community and made this happen. ** tosses confetti **