Mixed Media Printmaking Blog

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.

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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.

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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.

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Do you have a design wall?

inspiration / Linda Germain / December 10, 2020

Do you have space in your studio for a wall that inspires you? Or where you can have a revolving art show of your own works?

Prints from the 100 Print Project Class

If you don’t have a space like that, see if you can make one.

Trace Monotypes from the See, DRAW, Print Class

When I finish a print or series of prints that I like, I want to look at them and enjoy.

My work from Books as ART Materials

Some artists make a design wall with a sheet of homasote. It is easy to pin papers to and moveable.

Gelatin Prints from the Simplify Class

Things to put on an inspiration/design wall:

Completed work
Series in process
Quotes
Goals
Reminders

I hope you have some space to claim as a design wall!

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Do you Dare?

artist book / Linda Germain / December 2, 2020

Do something different. See if it creates new possibilities in your art making.

I am preparing for the class, Make Marks. I was inspired to create this class because I wanted to use my art making skills to feel better.

I wanted to use tools that I have and that allow me to be spontaneous.

Those tools are:

gelatin plate, water based inks
found stamping tools
pens, pencils crayons and markers
simple relief blocks

They are all non-toxic and quick drying. So I can get into a flow and keep making marks without needing to wait for things to dry.

The hope is that the unique combination of marks will “tell a story”, elicit a feeling or make a connection.

The process is active and intuitive. A little Jackson Pollock, just on a smaller scale. Most of us don’t have the luxury of splattering buckets of paint.

So instead, I take the biggest piece of paper and scribble and make action marks with crayons. That is where the bravery comes in.

As an adult artist, can you scribble, splatter or tear?
What tools do you have that could be used to make some action/emotion marks?
I challenge you to try it and see what happens

I have chosen to then work these marked papers into a book. I love the book as art, because it it intended to be touched. It is intimate and precious.

I invite you to join us in the online class. I know this is a busy time of year, but some art making may give you a little peace.

Happy Printing!

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