artist book Archives - Page 6 of 13

Failure informs

artist book, collage, inspiration, mixed media printmaking, monotype print / Linda Germain / April 23, 2021

Every time things don’t work out as I had hoped, it is an opportunity for me to learn something.

I could learn:

I don’t really like that technique
I need more instructions
I could use some practice
Am I using the right tools?
Maybe I need more time
Is it possible with the way that I am approaching it?

I could ask those kinds of questions about almost any situation in life, art, business, family or well being.

And I think for me it is easier to fail, and asks those questions in the art area of my life. For some reason, I have let it be a process of discovery that includes lots of learning through “failing.”

I have said it before, but if I get two out of 10 prints that I love, then I consider that a success. And it usually takes learning something from those other 8 prints to get those prints that I love.

So it is important that I enjoy the process and not just the end result.

I have been doing stuff in sketchbooks lately. And I realized I wanted the end result faster, I wanted to finish the sketchbook. Hmmm? This was not me loving the process.

I tried different approaches:

Made smaller books
Tried different book forms
Carried it with me
Allowed myself to write, doodle, collage, paint, print, what ever

I have not found my happy sketchbook practice yet, but I am learning a lot in the process.

If you would like some guidance and support in Simplifying your gelatin prints, then join us in the online workshop –SIMPLIFY- make powerful gelatin prints. Get all the details on the workshop page.

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Scraps collage – so much fun!

altered books, artist book, book arts / Linda Germain / March 15, 2021

One way to get your creative juices flowing and quiet the inner critic is to work on several small pieces at once.

Another way to keep the creativity flowing to to layer and respond with minimal marks.

I did these scraps collages with bits and pieces of book pages and part in my online class, Books as ART Materials.

I approach the project with an attitude of playful discovery. I work up about 12 4″ square pieces in layers.

Sometimes a get a few striking collages. But I am always developing my design and composition skills.

Give it a try at the end of the day, gather the bits of waste from your work bench, add scribbles, text or coffee stains and see what happens.

If you would like to explore using Books as ART Materials, then join us in the upcoming class. Read all the details on the workshop page.

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Found Poems

artist book, book arts, collage / Linda Germain / March 10, 2021

I am getting ready for the Books as ART Materials class and having fun making found poems.

Books are mostly words and pages, so I like to find ways to use those elements in new art work.

I like to:

Cut words and phrases out of several different books, with different font sizes
Then rearrange the words into a 4 line poem
Some poems I really love
And some are just part of the process of making

I also use old book pages at scrap to catch excess glue from the glue stick.

Give this meditative poem making a try!

If you want to explore more ways to use old books, then join us in Books As ART Materials, the online class. Read the details here.

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Qualities of Books – as ART Materials

artist book, book arts, collage / Linda Germain / March 3, 2021

I wanted to share the qualities that I look for in books to be used as ART Materials.

When I use books as ART Materials I use:

Cover cloth – collage and journals
Book board – new books
Pages and text – poems and printmaking
Spine materials and bits – collage
pockets and old marks – collage

So if you are hunting and gathering books for re-use look at those parts closely.

It is fun to see books with new eyes for what is possible. Sometimes I just use pages as newsprint pickups when gelatin printing.

But then other times the bits and pieces can be worked into an abstract landscape collage.

I hope I have given you some new ways to look at old books that were headed for the recycling bin. Want to join us in the online class, Books as at Materials? Read the details and join us today.

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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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