Having fun with books

book arts / /

I love using books as art materials.

  • You can usually find them free or quite inexpensive
  • They have a rich patina and history
  • Paper, text and texture!

pages of old books as printing surfaces

I know some folks are horrified by the idea of ripping up a book. The books that I use are destined for the recycling bin. I go to library book sales at the tail end of the sale and usually get a bag of old books for a few dollars.

I am happy and the library is happy too. Win, win!

cut up book pages for collage

A few of the types of books that I like to use are:

  • dictionaries
  • Little Golden Books for children
  • A music book
  • a foreign language book
  • a couple of paperback books
  • any old and yellowed paged books

Today I printed some photos that I took of a scrunched and rolled paperback book. I think that I gave this dictionary new life, that is living on my studio wall.

books as photo

If you would like to explore using books as art materials, then check out the details on the workshop page. Start collecting old books and you will be ready for class, when it starts.

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Greenhouse a winter sanctuary

Gelatin plate print / /

Yesterday I joined several other members of the Haverhill Art Association at Nunan’s Florist and greenhouse for a botanical inspired day of printing.

Nunans greenhouse georgetown haverhill art paint in

Each Sunday in January the artists gather in the greenhouse and paint, draw, print and make clay work. The series culminates with a final exhibit and opening to the public on Sunday, January 28th from 12 to 3.

textured pot printmaking inspiration

metal bench design to inspire printmaking ideas

I started by walking around looking for shapes and textures. Then I took some photos.

found leaves and ferns for gelatin printmaking

I decided to hunt for a few leaves or ferns on the floor and to make some single color cards.

linda germain gelatin printmaking in the greenhouse in winter

I had a wonderful, warm, winter afternoon in the greenhouse pulling gelatin prints.

botanical cards - gelatin printmaking

I was lucky to find a few fairly flat ferns and leaves and produce some lovely detailed impression with the gelatin plate.

sketches and gelatin prints in the greenhouse

Towards the end of the day I cut a tavel stencil based on a sketch that I did of some leaves and pulled a couple of two color prints on old book pages.

Check out upcoming workshops.

 

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Where to buy glycerin for gelatin printmaking

gelatin plate care / /

If you want to make the gelatin and glycerin plate for monotype printmaking, then you will need to find about 12 oz of glycerin.

gelatin and glycerin plate for printing

It was always a little bit of a challenge to find it, but recently it has  become a little harder to find.

where to buy glycerin

Here in the US you can find it:

  • Big Walmart stores in the first aid section near the calamine lotion. (Some of the smaller stores have stopped carrying it)
  • CVS, Walgreen and like pharmacies may have glycerin. I find these stores to be more expensive
  • Hobby Lobby, Joan’s Fabric and A. C. Moore and similar craft stores sometimes have glycerin in the baking/wedding section

Of course you can find 100% glycerin online and there you may find the cheapest prices. You do not need a lot unless you plan to make a lot of printing plates.

making gelatin plates for printmaking

So give yourself a little extra time to find glycerin. Often the sales clerks will not know if they have it or were to find it. You may need a little persistence.

I think the effort of making the glycerin and gelatin plate is worth it. I find that I like the way the homemade plate holds and transfers ink to make delicate textured impressions.

gelatin plate prints by linda germain

If you are interested in exploring gelatin printmaking using ink, paper and the homemade plate then join us for Make Monotypes, the online printmaking class.

Next Class starts Jan 7th, 2019.

 

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Survive or Thrive the Holidays?

inspiration / /

Well we made it through the busy holiday season.

Did you just survive it or did it help your thrive?

snow covered Haverhill

There could be a little bit of both. Surviving the chaos and busyness and yet finding moments of thriving with

  • pleasure of gift making
  • enjoying the joy of gift giving
  • being wrapped up in the sparkle of the season
  • fresh snow creating a new clean canvas

sunset salisbury beach

I challenge you to look back and remember those wonderful moments, before you rush into the goals of the new year.

collage by linda germain

I hope to bring some of the thriving into 2018.

  1. I love seeing others enjoy my gift. – Do this more! Give and watch.
  2. Pause in nature – it feeds me. I get ideas and images for art projects.
  3. Choosing people and activities that that make me smile.

If making art helps you thrive then you might want to explore gelatin printmaking.

Join us in a workshop this year. Get info on the current workshops.

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Stains on the homemade gelatin printing plate

gelatin plate care / /

I remember that some “dyes” as opposed to inks and paints can stain the homemade gelatin plate. It does not affect the subsequent prints but some sometimes it can be visually distracting.

dye stains gelatin plate

Today I was using one of my Tyvek® stencils and noticed that it left a stain on the gelatin plate like a line drawing. I could not figure out why??

Then I realized that it was from the pen that I used to draw my image on to the Tyvek®. I am not sure if I used a Sharpie or a Crayola marker. But what ever it was, it must use a dye based pigment.

gelatin plate prints by linda germain

I now use the Crayola marker to do my drawing and then I wash it off before printing. And no more staining of the gelatin plate.

FYI – the very pinky magenta speedball water based block printing ink often stains the homemade gelatin printing plate. Again it will not affect your prints. It just may be distracting.

If you would like help exploring gelatin printmaking with the homemade plate, then check out the current printmaking classes being offered.

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