greenpepperpressblog

Tag: stencils

  • almost there…..

    MWstacksA4A

     

    The + Artists For Artists + fundraiser is nearly complete – we are at the finish line!  There are a handful of sets left and I'd really like to sell out to maximize our total donation.  If you've been meaning to jump in, now is your chance!  We really appreciate all the support – it's such a great cause. UPDATE:  ONLY 20 LEFT OF THIS LIMITED EDITION OFFERING.  EDIT:  SOLD OUT!!!!

    SHOP HERE:  ETSY – GRNPEP

    In a few days all the funds will transfer from Etsy to my bank, then I will turn around and submit back to them on the Etsy Advocacy page, where they will match us dollar for dollar, to benefit Cerf+, making the safety net for artists a little bit bigger.  With a total sell out we will contribute, with Etsy, $8000+.  HOW COOL IS THAT?

    This is by far the biggest project I've ever embarked on – a real learning experience.  It's not a comfortable place for me – asking for donations.  I never even did well selling Girl Scout cookies, but this project has become really important to me.  Thank you again for hearing and responding to the promotions by the whole team, and for helping to spread the word.  WE ARE NEARLY DONE!

     

    MW A4A plus samples gelli

     

    + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

    Just about five years ago we were getting prepared for SuperStorm Sandy to arrive in New Jersey.  Who knew that hurricanes, or their remnants could affect us in the middle of the state?  We have had a flooded basement more than once due to hurricanes!  Luckily, with Sandy, our home and yard were spared any damage but we were without power for nine days.  It was dark and cold – the day being even shorter because candles and flashlights don't make a big difference in November.  We had filled our gas tanks, which was a blessing as there were issues with getting some after the storm.  Our only warmth came from sitting in the car, motor running in the driveway, so we could listen to the radio to get caught up on news, and recharge our phones.  One of us would run down to the corner store for hot coffee – never tasted so good.  Once the power was back on, and the refrigerator restocked, life was nearly back to normal.  

    I simply couldn't imagine what it would be like to lose everything like so many have in recent tragedies.  Hurricane, flood, fire, earthquake.  At a time when one might want to turn to creativity to process the loss and escape from reality, or to continue making stuff because that's how you support your family, and all your resources are gone, Cerf+ is a resource that can help.

    + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

     

  • Spreading Positivity

    Have you seen our fundraiser to assist artists?  Our LIMITED EDITION Artists For Artists packets are selling fast.  We've received glowing responses and it's been a thrill to see the orders come in from all around the globe as fellow artists believe in the cause.  In addition to the prints of original art, you get a stencil of my favorite shape, the plus sign (or square cross).  We included this as a fun tool for you to use in your studio to continue spreading positivity – we could all use more of that.  With all that's been happening around us it can be a challenge to maintain a positive attitude, don't you think?  Putting more + + + + + is a good thing.

    SHOP HERE: Etsy – GRNPEP

    MW A4A small promo

     

    If you are new to using stencils….where have you been?  I'm only kidding.  When you join our fundraiser you get the stencil/mask set all in one piece.  The masks are tabbed in, and need to be sliced carefully with a sharp tool.  See below.  Also illustrated are the stencils and masks being used in a simple way – with paint directly on a surface, or with gesso as a base.  My favorite method is to apply paint, then lift it back out.  It's sort of a pull/push as you wipe away the paint, and reveals a nice line with less medium around it.  I like the "keeps then guessing" effect.

     

    MW A4A plus samples

     

    Some of the artists in the project used the "+" stencil – see how they incorporated in into their original art.

    MW A4A plus samples artists

     

    Here I've used the stencil with silver leaf for the cover of my Silver Linings Journal. 

    MWSilverLinings

    And a spread from my Cardboard Journal, marking and cutting + + + + + + + +

    MW A4A plus samples cardboard

    I've framed my print…sits by the front door to wash positivity over all who come and go.

    MW A4A Positively Charged

     

     

    THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL THE AMAZING SUPPORT.  

    WE ARE NEARING THE FINISH LINE.  

    IF YOU WANT TO CONTRIBUTE, IT'S TIME TO JOIN US NOW!!!  

    How about one for you and one for a friend?  It's all good ++++

    www.etsy.com/shop/GRNPEP

  • SGP sale – Friday and Saturday

    July2017SALE

    ALL stencils at StencilGirlProducts.com are on sale this Friday and Saturday – July 7th + July 8th.  It is Mary Beth Shaw's birthday and there are treats for everyone!  14% off your entire order!  So many great designs to choose from – now is the time to stock up!

    You can find my designs here:  Michelle Ward for StencilGirlProducts.  Be sure to browse around and prepare your wishlist so you're ready to place an order during the sale.  

  • 3 years = 12,000+ pins

    Last week I was privileged to teach to an AP Art class at our local high school.  We had a great time pulling prints from the Gelli Arts printing plate, as well as plain old paper to paper printing of hand-cut collagraphs.  After amassing a pile a papers, they created a small journal or a grid collage, or both.  I will show photos from the event next week.  Below is a practice print I made to get warmed up for class – using a stencil that is having it's three year anniversary today!  

     

    MWprints2017

     

    Not long ago I started paying attention to the changes at Pinterest.  They seem to continually change their format – just when I think I get how it works, it changes.  It's likely they don't actually change it that regularly, but seems like it since I don't visit very often.  One new feature seems to be that they have figured out how to compile close-to-accurate numbers for how often a photo/graphic is pinned. It used to be that you would see an item pinned from your blog with a quantity of 10 or 20 next to it, then see the same item further down the page with a 15, 30, or 50.  There was a photo montage from my blog that had registered over a 1000 pins and I thought that was pretty cool, until I visited it this week and discovered, because of the new calculating wizardry, that the pin is now on over 12,200 boards.  (see HERE if you're on Pinterest) HCIT?

    I can't believe it's been three years TODAY since these stencils came out.  Designed in October 2013, they were released with Stencil Girl Products on January 27, 2014.  Here's an abbreviated posting of my original.  

     

    MW SGP 2014a

     

    MW SGP 2014b

     

    MW SGP 2014c

    These stencils are available at STENCILGIRLPRODUCTS.COM and GREENPEPPERPRESS.COM

     

     

  • silver linings seeker

    On the newsstands now or very soon, the Jan/Feb Somerset Studio – with my article: Silver Linings.  Made with gelli prints that were painted back in October 2013, I decided to finally USE THEM as they were in peril of being pitched.  Pages are stitched together – a tip I got from my friend Julie Prichard in one of her online classes.  I'm a Silver Lining seeker – trying to see the good in every situation, no matter how difficult.  Quotes of affirmation, collected over time, now reside in this new journal.  See the article for more about the process.

     

    Michelle Ward Silver Linings Journal

     

    Michelle Ward Silver Linings Somerset Studio JanFeb2017

     

    Don't miss out on the early registration discount for CreativeJumpStart2017.  Offer good through the ball drop on Saturday night.  Join in for a full month of creativity videos and giveaways – from 27 artists.  Last year was so much fun – my first time as a presenter. Happy to be back again.  Come along!!

    Mwcjs17FB

  • draw the line

    Just in – newest Somerset Studio.  My Make It Your Own column for this issue is Draw The Line – got the title from a sign that hangs over my desk.  We get so jazzed about stencils with paint, ink, gelli plates, spray paint….we often forget to just use with pencil or pen. Into the coloring book trend?  Make some pages of your own with the assistance of stencils, and some freehand mark-making.  Love the stencils you already have?  Pump up the contrast by adding outlines – draw the line!  Magazine hits the stands this week.

     

    Michelle Ward Draw the Line NovDec Somerset Studio

     

    MW DrawTheLineSign

     

    MW DrawTheLineSample

     

  • giveaway!

    MW MMbanner

    Day 15: We are half way through the month – I think it's time to post a giveaway.  Up for grabs are two of the stencils I've designed for The Ink Pad – manhole covers, of course.  We launched the series earlier this year.  When I was approached to collaborate with The Ink Pad my first idea is what you see below.  I gave my most enthusiastic pitch – and they went for it.  So cool we were all on the same page.  Visit their online shop for the full collection of New York City themes stencils and masks, HERE.  Scroll down to the comments section and leave your name to be entered in the drawing.

    MW Giveaway Manhole Madness

    Here is the full set of the first collection – each stencil is 8-1/2" x 11".  Order HERE.

    Michelle Ward The Ink Pad NEW Stencils 2

    Visit the Ink Pad when you're in the city because they have everything!  Including wonderful classes.  Or stop by their new online store HERE.

    Leave your name in the comments section below to be entered for the drawing.  

    I will pick a name on October 22 at 9:00 pm Eastern time.  Good luck!!

  • Come play in NYC – August classes

    A new class for August 13 – FLIP OVER NYC.  Get it?  It's a flip-style book you will flip over.  Ha!  Super fun to work on this one. Come take the class with me at The Ink Pad.  Call (212) 463-9876 to register.  Then on August 14 we will be making a Frond Chronicle Journal.  Learn how to make your own stencil/mask sets (from four different materials), then use them as tools with paint.  This one is a favorite and often requested. See samples below.  Hope to see you in class!

     

    MW Flip Over NYC Workshop announcement

     

    MW Frond Chronicles Workshop announcement

  • more NYC stencils!

    The Ink Pad as released the next five stencils in the NYC collection.  Another set of manhole covers and four patterns to coordinate. Mine arrived today – time to play!

    Michelle Ward The Ink Pad new stencils banner

    Michelle Ward The Ink Pad NEW Stencils 2

  • stencils + ink pads

    Here are some of the sample tags I've made with the new Ink Pad stencils, along with brief descriptions.  These are just pigment ink pads + stencils.  

    TIP:  if you use wedge make-up sponges, cut off the hard edge so you don't get 'lines' when dabbing off the ink onto your tag.

    MichelleWard Ink Pad tag stencil samples