As you may have noticed from yesterday’s post, I am creating quite a pile of monoprints on fabric. That is the way I approach my printmaking. I love to get lost in the process and make lots of prints.

It is great to get into the flow of printing and let one mark or impression inform the next. This exploratory approach does allow for lots of learning and “mistakes.”

I don’t really think of my “less-than-perfect” prints as mistakes, but more as prints with potential. If 10 percent of my work is amazing, then that is good enough.

I think that it is funny that I give myself so much attitude to “fail” when I am making art. {I wish this would carry over to the rest of my life.}

Most recently I am embracing the idea to start with what I know and can already do. For example, I was getting frustrated because I don’t seem to be able to free motion sew with my sewing machine. And I love the look and feel of free motion quilting.

After several good attempts, I set the machine aside and moved to the needle and some simple hand stitching. I will circle back to machine stitching maybe after I get some help.

Do you give yourself the space/time to make the mistakes necessary to really learn a new skill? Try it!

If you want some support in learning to print on fabric, then join us in Monoprinting on Fabric. Registration is open now.

I make lots of monotype prints just to get warmed up and get into the flow of a printing session. Those practice prints are great papers for creating artists books.

Make monotypes into artists books

I admire the coptic stitch binding, but I also struggle with getting the tension right. So I decided that practice, practice, practice would be the way to get better at the coptic stitch binding.

Everyday, I made a little book with the coptic stitch for last 2 weeks.  I am getting more skilled and happier with my sewn binding.

Do you give yourself the gift of practicing a skill to get better?

If you would like to help with your mixed media printmaking skills, then check out the current workshops.