Monoprinting Fabric with the gelatin plate – self study

monotype print / /

I am making the online class, Monoprinting Fabric into a self-study. So it is available now and when you are ready to explore gelatin printing on fabric.

Gelatin Print on fabric with fern

  • 9  online pre-recorded lessons with 27 short videos
  • 12 different techniques
  • short actionable videos to get you printing right away
  • Ability to download videos for personal use

One student reports:

Monoprinting on Fabric has been a fabulous course. There is a lot there to keep me going for a very long time. I love your teaching style, very encouraging, supportive, clear and fun. Patricia G. from the UK

So if you have been thinking about exploring printing on fabric with the gelatin plate, then check out the details on the workshop page.

 

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Reset – Your art practice

monotype print / /

Today, I am having phone challenges and the advice is to reboot or reset  or even restore to manufacturers settings if needed. Hmm? These options must some how correct the function of the system.

Reboot is the simpler and less invasive approach, a simple power down, wait a minute and turn it back on. It is like a quick refresh/clean.

The Reset option is a little more intense. Basically tell the system to forget most of what you taught it, like log ins and passwords.

And the Restore option wipes the phone clean and removes all evidence that you were there.

shadows and drawing practice

What does this have to do with making art?  Hmmm. It got me thinking about ways to stimulate my art practice.

Pamphlet stitched books

I know that creating is an up and down process for me. I will make pleasing prints and ugly ones too. They all have their purpose. But I was thinking to apply the reboot, reset or restore idea to the down times in my practice.

I could ask myself:

  • How is my system functioning?
  • Do I need a deep clean or a little refresh?
  • Are there areas/habits/practices that I want to permanently delete?

Ways to Reboot my art practice:

  • Daily walks
  • Make stuff just for fun
  • Clear off my workbench

Ways to Reset my art practice:

  • Go through old work and get rid of it, give away, etc
  • Pass on tools and supplies that I don’t use
  • Identify the skills and techniques that currently move me to action – do more of them

A Way to Restore my art practice:

How would I restore my artistic self to “manufacturer’s settings”? This would require time, thought and discovery. A retreat in a wonderful art community sounds good.

My original settings? a maker who likes to guide others to make stuff too.

I hope that you are enjoying your art making process, but if you are not then maybe try a Reboot, Reset or Restore. Or check out the current online classes being offered.

sketch booking by the lake

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What will you nourish in 2022?

collage, drawings, inspiration / /

Some folks pick an inspirational word at the beginning of the new year. I have never really done it before, but for some reason the word nourish is in my head these past few days.

nourish yourself

Nourish has a warm comforting feeling.

If you look it up in the dictionary, you will find it means:

  • to nurture, to rear
  • to promote the growth of
  • to furnish or sustain with nutriment
  • to feed, maintain or support

Whether we realize it or not we are most likely nourishing something. It might be kids, or health or our art practice.

sketchbook linda germain

I am encouraged to look more closely at what I am doing to nourish my body, mind and soul. Nourish seems to be compassionate, caring and wise.

be nourished by nature

Three ways I am planning to nourish my life:

  1. Eat more whole clean food and listen to the feedback from my body.
  2. Gently let go of stuff in my car, home and studio, so my space is comfort.
  3. Give myself more time each day to play at making marks.

The caring and supportive sense I get from the word nourish makes me feel excited to “feed” myself and grow healthier and happier with these activities. I don’t feel burdened by these “goals.”

I encourage you to try on the idea of nourishing yourself. What small change could you make to feel stronger, safer, or more nurtured?

Maybe join us in Creating Habits, the online class that explores a bit of drawing, collage and sketchbooking. Class starts January 7, 2022. Read all the details on the workshop page.

sketchbooks linda germain

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Keep your hands and eyes moving

drawings, inspiration, mark making / /

As I prepare for the upcoming class, Creating Habits I am beginning to realized that much of my art making is about getting my hands and eye to work together to create an image.phone photo reference for drawing

We often take these two functions for granted. That is until we start to lose the abilities of either one.

draw tools on desk

I am learning to appreciate what I can do and to realize it is a daily process to keep and build my seeing and drawing skills. I have to keep it fun.

look up into the trees

3 ways to build my seeing skills

  1. Look at things from a different perspective – like upside down
  2. Pause and notice what is above or below
  3. Take a lot of pictures of things I like from different angles

funky hand drawn fonts

3 ways to build my hand coordination

  1. Look closely and “draw” a new font
  2. Do hand yoga – gently appreciate the movements
  3. Play with loosely holding pens and brushes at a distance

I encourage you to notice and appreciate your hands and eyes and to celebrate your abilities.

If you are interested in exploring hand/eye skills more deeply, then check out the current workshops.

Enjoy!

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Next step – art making habits

inspiration, mark making / /

Art making can be a journey of ups and downs. The trick is to keep moving even in the down phase of the trip.

creating habits sketchbook

  • Suspending judgement of each little step can help keep the process enjoyable.
  • Remember it is a process
  • Build in support for the times when you are in a funk

I have been using collage and drawing techniques lately to keep me moving forward. These processes can be very hands on. I find I can easily get lost in the process and soon forget that I was in a funk.

draw a twig a day

The key for me is to:

  • make it easy to get started
  • quick to finish
  • create some sense of satisfaction

If you are curious about creating some art making habits that could carry you through the ups and downs of daily life, then check out the details of the online class, Creating Habits. Class starts January 7, 2022.

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