artist book Archives - Page 5 of 13

Trust yourself – Make Marks

artist book, drawings, inspiration / Linda Germain / July 26, 2021

Sometimes, I just have to begin and trust that the path will evolve.

I do this “just begin” thing a lot, and I am still surprised when magic happens, things work out and I make something that I like or learn from.

I keep it simple to begin:

take a photo
go for a walk
clean my work bench for 20 minutes
make some doodles

So I say try it, and see what happens. I think it helps to let go of any demands that it work out and just explore the present moment.

Before you know it you may have a whole collection of art work! Check out the current online class offerings

Trust yourself – Make Marks Read More »

Books a good way to show off your monoprints

artist book, handmade books, mixed media printmaking / Linda Germain / July 9, 2021

If you are an experimental monotype printmaker like me, then you probably have a lot of prints and papers with potential.

The books above are bound in the manner of Japanese Stab binding. This form works well with a soft cover and hard back, and a long landscape style format. We will learn this book form in the Mixed Media Retreat.

Accordion style books are great for display.

I think the natural evolution is to start making books with some of those prints. Things you could make with your prints:

book covers
end pages
whole bound book of prints
spine covers

Pamphlet stitch binding easy and useful.

If you are curious to get started with some simple book forms, then check out the details, of the online Mixed Media Retreat. We will learn 6 book forms and several layering techniques that will put your prints to good use.

Soft cover coptic binding is great for books that open flat.

Books a good way to show off your monoprints Read More »

Zoom call doodles – good habit

altered books, artist book, mark making / Linda Germain / July 1, 2021

It might not be what your boss suggests, but doodling during meetings and phone calls might be good for your for your visual art practice.

I recently did the doodle above during an hour long call.

I was suprised by all the different patterns I was able to create with simple lines dots and circles.

I think this mediative practice:

is easy to do with minimal supplies
suspends judgement – quiets your critical voice
can create some pleasing results to feed your art practice

For those reasons, I have added a daily meditative mark making prompt to the Mixed Media Retreat, the online class. Details on the workshop page.

I think meditative marks can:

be a source for stamp and tool making
be a way to learn to draw more shapes
be just plain fun and relaxing

Hope to see you in class.

Zoom call doodles – good habit Read More »

Mark up your sketchbook

artist book, book arts, fabric prints / Linda Germain / May 10, 2021

I recently made a sketchbook with some monoprinted book cloth.

I used a sewn tab binding. It is pretty sturdy. And it is small enough to take to the woods.

But first I am going to:

scribble with pencil
add relief stamp paptterns
glue in some flower prints
doodle with marker

You may think what would be left for sketching? And you maybe right. A lot of the pages will be marked up with information.

But it is my book. And what I have come to understand is that in my books the linear drawing may not be the star. So if the book is filled with words or printed marks, then that is okay.

I offer you this challenge to use your sketchbook in ways that support your art practice and to let go of any limiting ideas of what your sketchbook should be. I think you will experience more joy.

Mark up your sketchbook Read More »