Mixed Media Printmaking Blog

Re-work the ashes of 2020

In the last post, I did an exercise to release the troubles of 2020 and create new opportunity for 2021.

I took plenty of time and played with the ashes and bits of paper that remained.

They were delicate, fragile and kind of beautiful.

I dumped out the ashes and considered the possibilities.

I thought about:

Using the ash like charcoal
Mixing it with a medium like paint
Nourishing a potted plant

But I found the bits of paper that survived the burn to be the most interesting. So I glued them into a small accordion book and began to respond.

I took several days to live with the materials. I added:

smudges and scribbles
tea stains
bold words and light marks

I think I created a little book of celebration and hope.

I hope you get the chance to do a similar celebration of letting go and looking to the future.

One way to welcome the new year is to join us in the 100 Print Project. It is an online gelatin printmaking class that encourages:

working with lots of transparent layers
pulling 100’s of impressions
developing you design and composition skills.

Read the details on the 100 Print Project workshop page.

Re-work the ashes of 2020 Read More »

Ritual – end of the year

inspiration, monotype print / Linda Germain / December 27, 2020

I like to review my year in photos. I choose happy images that remind me of good times. Enjoy this 2 minute video.

Another ritual that I like to do from time to time:

Write down anything I want to let go of on a small slip of paper
Burn the troubles and paper in small jar
Give the ashes new life

Today, I wrote down everything from 2020 that I want to release and let go of.

And I had so many slips of paper that I was afraid that I would set off the smoke detectors/sprinkler system in my studio, if I burned them inside. So I headed to the beach.

The beach is a healing place for me. I walked out to Rye Ledge with my worries, some matches and a jar. The winds were light and the tide was low. And I set my 2020 worries free – up in smoke.

The final step will be to do something new with the remains. That will be for another day.

I encourage you to embrace a ritual of review, celebration and letting go! It may clear your energy for the new year.

Consider supporting your printmaking habit in 2021 – join us in the 100 Print Project, online printmaking class. Read all the details on the workshop page.

Ritual – end of the year Read More »

Art making habits

monotype print / Linda Germain / December 21, 2020

Do you have art making habits?

Do you need to change some ways that you approach art making to create new work?

I noticed that my messy cluttered space caused me to dread going to the studio.
I go crazy when I know I have a certain tool and can’t find it after 20 minutes of searching
I love looking at a wall of completed prints
I love stackable boxes that hold my prints, stencils and papers

I challenge you to get a cup of tea, take a seat in your workspace and look around for 15 minutes or so.

Notice what you love
Notice what drags you down
Even take pictures
Notice things you use and don’t use
Notice things you think you might use someday
Or things that you “should” use
Or things that are too precious to use

After this contemplation, would you say your space supports your art practice?

Could you take 20 minutes and

get rid of things you don’t use?
sort through a pile of papers or tools?
clear off a table?
make a plan to set up your space so that it supports your creativity.

One other way to support your creative habits, is to take a class. Check out the art classes being offered right now.

Art making habits Read More »

Woods, Walk – Work

inspiration, monotype print / Linda Germain / December 15, 2020

I think as artists we are always “working.” This is because we are always seeing the world as a catalyst for creation.

Cups of tea and found botanicals informed this series of prints.

“Work” could be defined quite broadly and will different for everyone.

I found these masking stencils on my daily walks.

For me there are many steps to working:

Daily Habits – like writing morning pages
Image creation or capture – like photos and doodles
Studio play – when I start to put marks and materials together

Each step is valuable and serves a different purpose. I do think it is important to let each step have it’s own style of expression. And to remember that each step in it’s own way is part of the act of creation.

So a walk in the woods and doodling with morning coffee is an important part of the process that supports studio time.

Need help sticking to your studio practice, sometimes a class is a good place for ideas and support. Check out the current online workshops that I am offering.

Woods, Walk – Work Read More »