Quick “table” for prints in progress

I always need more space. Recently I figured out that I could make temporary tables out of large pieces of foam core.

foam core table to hold prints

I have several big pieces of foam core that are easy to store up against the wall. And when I need a table to hold supplies, or prints in progress, I can lay the foam core across a stack of boxes, or! an ironing board or two, or a low shelf. Please use this idea if it helps you

gelatin print on fabric

These days my studio is a mess with monoprinted fabric. I am getting ready for the online printmaking class – Monoprinted Fabric that starts soon.

gel printed fabric linda germain

I am so pleased when I find myself learning new things even when I am doing processes that I have for years.

use foam core table to hold prints in progress

Here I used 2 pieces of foam core to make a folding table bigger, while I laid out monoprinted fabrics to sew together as a quilt.

Monoprinting with the gelatin plate on fabric is spontaneous and experimental. If that sounds fun to you then read the details on the workshop page and join us. Class starts soon.

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Back to the Basics – ink and brayers

I am getting ready for the upcoming Monoprinting Fabric class. So I have been playing with my gelatin plate, ink, brayers and tools.

monoprint on fabric

As you can see below I have a variety of inks and paints to print with. I am often thinking of my students when I experiment. I want them to be able to find inks and paints that work well for them.

inks for make monoprints on fabric with the gelatin plate

I think it would be more beneficial for my students to understand the qualities that make for a good ink/paint for the process, since we all have access to different supplies.

The qualities of a good ink or paint for gelatin printing on fabric are:

  • easy to roll up with a brayer, so not too thin and not too thick
  • slow drying
  • compatible with the fabric
  • compatible with the gelatin plate (homemade or commercial)
brayers for printmaking

The qualities of a good brayer for monoprinting on fabric with the gel plate are:

  • spins easily
  • holds a nice even coating of ink
  • releases that ink evenly on to the plate
  • does not skid

I the picture above I like the bright red handled brayer at the top. It is an inexpensive brayer that is soft foam with a slick outer covering. It is soft enough to pick up and roll out the screen printing ink and fabric paints that I use. I found that brayer at Hobby Lobby.

monoprinted fabric linda germain

If you think that making monotype of fabric would be fun! Then read the details and join us. Class starts soon.

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Video – ideas for monoprinting fabric with the gelatin plate

Making prints with the gelatin plate is experimental and spontaneous.

It is possible to print on fabric as well as paper. In the video below get an idea of what types of marks are possible when printing on fabric with inks and the gelatin plate.

If this looks interesting read more about the online class, Monoprinting Fabric.

In this class you will learn how to make the most of your:

  • tools
  • marks
  • skills and ideas.

Hope to see you in class!

play with printing on fabric

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Time to explore and discover

Time!

Carve some out and claim it for yourself.

painted paper for collage linda germain

  • Are there ways that you can make it easy for yourself to claim time for art?
  • Are there small ways to work art making into your day?
  • Are there little changes that you can make that would support your art practice?

art made with old books

Some of the most powerful art making habits that I practice require very little time. I encourage you to be open to seeing how you can fit tiny art making habits into your day.

1 – Take a picture

cast shadow at the museum

I noticed this series of shadows when I was sitting at the Addison Gallery of American Art.

Shadows are my thing. I notice them all the time on my walks. It is pretty easy to pull out my phone and capture the shadow. The shadows can then become, stencils, drawings or prints.

Photograph your thing!

2 – Flip through books

get inspired by library books

Go to the library or bookstore and skim books that look interesting to you. You could look at a certain technique or artist or artistic style. Maybe even get inspiration from a completely new approach that you have never tried.

I hardly ever read an art book. I look at pictures and get more of a feeling from the books.

3 – Doodle, scribble or write

play with art materials

Find a pen and a stack of index cards and leave them everywhere:

  • beside your bed
  • on the coffee table
  • in your purse
  • in the car
  • in your backpack

index card journal

The little index card journal can be used for:

  • quick sketches
  • imaginary drawings
  • collage
  • reminder notes and more

4 – Enjoy nature!

go out in nature and be inspired

Nature can be an infinite source of inspiration for your art practice. Think of “nature” in the broadest sense. You can step out your office door in the city and let the sun shine down on your face!

Air, water, earth – find some and smile!

Let it sink in and then you can bring the feeling back to the studio in the form of:

  • sketches
  • ideas
  • photos
  • tools and
  • new energy and plans.

I hope I have given you some ideas on how to make time for your art practice. Maybe take an art class.

If you can claim a little time to feed your art practice, then that creative energy will spill over into other parts of your day. Enjoy!

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Inspiration, experimentation and intuition – books as materials

Using books as ART materials is a circular process for me.

use old books to make new art

First I am inspired by something about the book.

cut up and reuse old books

It could be inspired by the:

  • cover design
  • yellowed pages
  • old notes or scribbles
  • color, drawings or illustrations
  • title or story
  • kind of paper
  • spine letters
  • old pockets or labels

cut out drawings for collage

Then the next step is experimentation. How can I take what I love and use it in a new piece of art work? This can be the scary part, if I am really attached to the book part and afraid to wreck it or lose it. So I start with books and parts that I am not so attached to.

clip words and make poems

The experimentation can be:

  • Cutting the book apart to use the covers
  • Making a black out poem on a page
  • Cutting and collaging pages
  • painting pages
  • folding pages into origami
  • replicating pockets and labels
  • Shredding pages into bits
  • Photocopy and enlarge drawings
  • Cutting words and making new meaning
  • Anything that you could do with paper is possible

use pages to make new collages

Then the final step is following my intuition. This would be different for every artist.

black out poems on old book pages

The things that inform my gut feelings and intuition are:

  • the texture and feel of the paper
  • the color and age of the page
  • the strength of the material
  • the intended purpose/viewer
  • design elements/principles like texture, value and focus

fold pages into new art

It is a back and forth of building and covering, uncovering and revealing. I often don’t know where the process is going to take me.

I hope for a pleasing expression of materials that make the viewer want to get closer and interact with the piece.

I think layers of information can pull the viewer in. They want to know and understand. I think that will be different for everyone.

Join me – in the online class – Book as ART Materials – class starts soon. READ the details on the workshop pages and register today.

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