2010

Back in the Studio – ready for Gelatin Printing

2010 / /

 

© 2013 linda germain – “it’s all a blur”

One week ago, I was just getting started with the 3 day Monothon of Gelatin Printmaking in Austin, TX and hosted by the Women Printmaker’s of Austin.

Just now, I have finally unpacked the suitcase of papers, tools and supplies.

During the monothon, twelve brave artists,

  • made gelatin plates,
  • did “yoga printmaking”
  • made over 500 prints
  • tried several different inks and papers
  • shared insights and discoveries about gelatin printmaking
  • cut strong stencils for masking
  • used framing mats for a finished look
  • celebrated the time and space just to play and experiment
  • learned to layer impressions
  • considered several book forms
  • learned to use the gelatin plate for it’s malleability whenever transferring a mark
Thank you to the wonderful workshop participants for a such dynamic experience.  I always say that the teacher can learn just as much from her students as they do from her.  I hope to see some of their work popping up on their own, websites, shops and blogs.

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Make a Prayer flag w/ Gelatin Prints

2010, gelatin prints on fabric / /

 

© linda germain – pray flag from gelatin plate monotype prints

A couple of weekends ago a few fabulous fiber gals from the lowell fiber studio came over to my workshop for a day of gelatin printing on fabric.  Then  they kindly invited me to a fiber feast at their studio, a delicious pot luck, good discussion and sharing of work.

This challenged me to do something with my gelatin prints on fabric.

I did a little research about prayer flags and want to keep it simple and retain some of the traditional symbolism.  To make the flags –

  1. Found prints in the 5 colors, blue, white, red, green and yellow
  2. Did a little touch up printing with and old gelatin plate to get the colors stronger
  3. Cut the 5 flags all the same size
  4. I wrote some stream of consciousness “prayers” about the 5 elements, sky, air, fire, water and earth, on the surface of the flags.
  5. Machine sewing  to reflect the energy of the element
  6. Topped them all off with the dragon fly thermofax screen print
  7. Strung them on a cord
  8. Hung them in front of my window to enjoy
I read that a sunny windy morning is the best time to hang a prayer flag.  And that is just what I got today!  I can’t wait to watch the flags slowly deteriorate and the prayers go into the wind.
See more about the Lowell Fiber Studio

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Gelatin Printing on a large plate 16 x 20

2010, Uncategorized / /
© linda germain 2013 small, medium and “large” gelatin plate prints

It is hard to judge scale with online pictures so I laid out some prints of the size that I usually do on the right side, the ferns and the grasses. That way you can compare the 16 x 20 size of the prints with the figure.

Today I used the akua color inks.  I found that I could pull several images from just one inking of the plate.  That is nice because often the delicate light ghost images can create another level of interest in a gelatin monotype print.
Check out the flickr group and share some gelatin prints.
or if you prefer Facebook then like the gelatin printmaking page
and start a conversation.
If you are looking to take a class please check out my current schedule of gelatin printmaking classes.

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