greenpepperpressblog

Tag: cool stuff

  • Annual Collaborative

    I just received the lastest Somerset Studio!  Inside you'll find a collaborative article by me and my friend Lynne Perrella.  It's the third year of working in tandem, exploring a theme with our individual interpretations.  It's also a sneak peek behind the scenes for some of the material we will cover during our workshop in May.  For the pieces you'll see in the January/February issue we focused on the ever classic phrenology head diagram.  The workshop will encompass much more – but we can't give it all away in an article 😉

     

    MW Somerset Studio JanFeb15

     

    I had a blast reinventing the image, and altering into a movable-parts object…think of the things you could have swirling behind within the mind!

    MW Phren details

     

    When we were brainstorming about plans for the upcoming workshop, we easily reigned in the ideas about a concept but were struggling with a title.  Lynne proposed that we consider incorporating two phrenology heads as graphic elements for the announcement.  It was a perfect suggestion since we have a running dialogue each December about a pair of ceramic phren heads that appear together each year in the Bergdorf Goodman holiday windows in New York City.  The talented designers adorn the twins in a festive manner and place them in the elaborately decorated vignettes.  Every year it’s a hunt to find them among the countless extraordinary visual delights behind the glass.  Lynne had another epiphany: to borrow the name Curiouser & Curiouser* for the three-day class – an ideal choice to accompany the double-head logo we devised, for a workshop offered by two teachers who love to encourage curiosity, especially when it comes to creativity.  Here are some of the appearances in past years:

     

    MW BG twins

    *Curiouser & Curiouser was the theme of the 2009 BG Windows, inspired by the works of Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass.  Our workshop will not be related to Alice, we will certainly be advocating for all participants to adopt her sense of adventure. 

    We hope you'll join us in May!  Three whole days with two teachers in an amazing studio space at a lovely location with other eager and enthusiastic artists!  For details visit Workshops here, or on Lynne's site www.LKPerrella.com 

  • *tosses confetti*

    Mw goodbye2014

    Mw new year 2015

     

    So long 2014.  Thank you for the many blessings.  Raising a glass to 2015.  May it be a year of health, happiness, and growth ~ for all of us.  Be well and behave *wink*.

  • *tosses confetti*

    Mw goodbye2014

    Mw new year 2015

     

    So long 2014.  Thank you for the many blessings.  Raising a glass to 2015.  May it be a year of health, happiness, and growth ~ for all of us.  Be well and behave *wink*.

  • new camera!

    Had to try out my new camera.  Very nice point and shoot with a cool lens, nice click sound (gotta love that!), and wifi transfer.  Sweet!  Thanks Graham <3

    MW dec31 2014

    I made these Nutcrackers in the summer of 2012.  Article appeared in Somerset Studio Nov/Dec 2012.  See my blog post HERE.  Maybe you'll take advantage of some post-holiday sales and grab one or two to alter in the coming year.  It's a fun project and great gift – TaDa!

  • new camera!

    Had to try out my new camera.  Very nice point and shoot with a cool lens, nice click sound (gotta love that!), and wifi transfer.  Sweet!  Thanks Graham <3

    MW dec31 2014

    I made these Nutcrackers in the summer of 2012.  Article appeared in Somerset Studio Nov/Dec 2012.  See my blog post HERE.  Maybe you'll take advantage of some post-holiday sales and grab one or two to alter in the coming year.  It's a fun project and great gift – TaDa!

  • make mine fake please

    MW scary pumpkin

    This photo is proof of what happens to our pumpkins in this neighborhood.  Some years we carve elaborate faces and the warm days encourage mold growth and shriveling before Halloween even arrives.  We will also notice that a grin is altered by little creatures – sometimes adding to the grimacing appeal, but often ruining a perfect composition of eyes and teeth.  This year we hadn't even sharpened the knives, and our prize pumpkins became a meal for a furry intruder.  Each day they became scarier and scarier in appearance as you can see.  

    We've been collecting faux pumpkins, and have invested a few afternoons for adding marks with Sharpies and paint pens.  This year's crop isn't ready for a photo shoot so I will revisit a few from previous Halloweens – still looking smart…..no bitemarks in these!  Maybe you'll try painting the fakes…there is still time!

     

    MWpumpkinsmore

     

    MWpumpkindoodle

    MWpumpkintattoos

     

     

  • make mine fake please

    MW scary pumpkin

    This photo is proof of what happens to our pumpkins in this neighborhood.  Some years we carve elaborate faces and the warm days encourage mold growth and shriveling before Halloween even arrives.  We will also notice that a grin is altered by little creatures – sometimes adding to the grimacing appeal, but often ruining a perfect composition of eyes and teeth.  This year we hadn't even sharpened the knives, and our prize pumpkins became a meal for a furry intruder.  Each day they became scarier and scarier in appearance as you can see.  

    We've been collecting faux pumpkins, and have invested a few afternoons for adding marks with Sharpies and paint pens.  This year's crop isn't ready for a photo shoot so I will revisit a few from previous Halloweens – still looking smart…..no bitemarks in these!  Maybe you'll try painting the fakes…there is still time!

     

    MWpumpkinsmore

     

    MWpumpkindoodle

    MWpumpkintattoos

     

     

  • recycling at its best!

    I had the pleasure of teaching two workshops in New York City last weekend.  Hosted by The Ink Pad, and the terrific Anna and Barbara, we met at the fabulous community center, and spread out our piles of collected cardboard then made some really cool relief sculptures and journals.  Sadly, I didn't get any "under construction" photos of Sunday, but I witnessed some really awesome pages.  It's so fun to work on projects in a real-life class as the group environment is so inspiring – you get to see the discoveries each individual makes because they are at-work, and in-the-moment, where the magic happens.  We all get motivated and encouraged as we progress through the process, each of us in our own way.

     

    First up, What A Relief.  The title is two-fold, we were building dimensional corrugated sculptures, with deliberate cuts, peeling, and piercing to create relief with shadow and texture….but it was likely a relief to only have to bring a minimal collection of supplies.  A knife, cutting mat, pencil, glue….that is all you need to churn out some really cool stuff.  After the pieces were nearly completed, we placed them under glass.  Nothing is more validating than to see your efforts elevated with a frame.  Well done girls!!

    MW What A Relief class 2

     

    MW What A Relief class

     

    MW What A Relief class 3

     

     

    Next was DeComposition Journal.  I've taught variations of this class before – one of my favorites, as each artist takes on their own specific direction.  Because of the location, we were able to do some fun stuff that I usually only do at home – not easy to replicate in a classroom.  We poured scented wax into the corrugated grooves – with the assistance of a candle, we burned edges of pages – thanks to access to a sink, and we stepped outside to do some super fun spray painting with stencils.  Swoon!  Thanks for joining me – I can't tell you how much fun it was to see all of you crank out such great stuff.  

    I've got more ideas of how to use this non-precious and plentiful supply.  Stay tuned for more cardboard art classes next year!

     

    MW DeComp Journal class

     

    Up next:  the grand finale to A Year of Cardboard,  with my column for Somerset Studio.

  • recycling at its best!

    I had the pleasure of teaching two workshops in New York City last weekend.  Hosted by The Ink Pad, and the terrific Anna and Barbara, we met at the fabulous community center, and spread out our piles of collected cardboard then made some really cool relief sculptures and journals.  Sadly, I didn't get any "under construction" photos of Sunday, but I witnessed some really awesome pages.  It's so fun to work on projects in a real-life class as the group environment is so inspiring – you get to see the discoveries each individual makes because they are at-work, and in-the-moment, where the magic happens.  We all get motivated and encouraged as we progress through the process, each of us in our own way.

     

    First up, What A Relief.  The title is two-fold, we were building dimensional corrugated sculptures, with deliberate cuts, peeling, and piercing to create relief with shadow and texture….but it was likely a relief to only have to bring a minimal collection of supplies.  A knife, cutting mat, pencil, glue….that is all you need to churn out some really cool stuff.  After the pieces were nearly completed, we placed them under glass.  Nothing is more validating than to see your efforts elevated with a frame.  Well done girls!!

    MW What A Relief class 2

     

    MW What A Relief class

     

    MW What A Relief class 3

     

     

    Next was DeComposition Journal.  I've taught variations of this class before – one of my favorites, as each artist takes on their own specific direction.  Because of the location, we were able to do some fun stuff that I usually only do at home – not easy to replicate in a classroom.  We poured scented wax into the corrugated grooves – with the assistance of a candle, we burned edges of pages – thanks to access to a sink, and we stepped outside to do some super fun spray painting with stencils.  Swoon!  Thanks for joining me – I can't tell you how much fun it was to see all of you crank out such great stuff.  

    I've got more ideas of how to use this non-precious and plentiful supply.  Stay tuned for more cardboard art classes next year!

     

    MW DeComp Journal class

     

    Up next:  the grand finale to A Year of Cardboard,  with my column for Somerset Studio.

  • it’s good to get out

    How about these lovely fall days?  Just beautiful.  Last weekend we were at the shore for a wedding.  Perfect!  It's good to get out….change your view, see some things.  Inspiration is all around us, especially when we step away from routine and allow for a day "off".  Last month I was in San Diego for a workshop, then visited with a dear friend who treated me to all kinds of visual delights.  Earlier this summer I met with good friends at the Grounds for Sculpture in NJ, another feast for my eyes.  I will be going back to see the Michael Graves exhibit soon.  Feeling stuck, unmotivated, need some juice to get back on the creative train?  Get out!

    I'm getting out this weekend….teaching two cardboard workshops in New York.  There's still room for you if you need an outing 🙂

     

    MW NJ Sculpture Garden

     

    MW Balboa Park

     

    MW SDBA Frond Chronicles

     

    MW SD girls

     

    MW JP