collage

Join Me – New Class – stamp making

artist book, collage, combined techniques, monotype print, sketchbook ideas, stamping tools / /

I am excited about the new class that starts October 25th. This class is about:

  • Making small stamps out of sticky backed foam
  • Slipknot book form
  • a gelatin print lesson and
  • a bit of collage

I love this combination of techniques. There is something for everyone. So you can choose a focus that fits your interest at this time.

slipknot book with gelatin print and collage

The slipknot binding is great for sketchbooking, because it can be flipped and folded to always lie flat. It takes a bit of thread management to link the pages together, but it is a pretty easy book form.

Gelatin monotype with stamping

I am including a gelatin print session so you will have prints to respond to with collage and stamping.

The collage lesson is just to get beyond the blank page.

slipknot bound books

Read all the details and join us in Stamp Making + Mixed Media Book Workshop.

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Enjoy the hunt

altered books, collage, tools / /

I recently realized that, I enjoy the hunt when making mixed media pieces. It is the process of sorting through papers and materials to find a pleasing combination that is most fun.

books as art materials

I like to use old books as art materials. And going to a library book sale is a treat. I like the last day when I can fill a bag with books for a few dollars. If you want to find a book sale near you check out this website.  These are books that are headed to the recycle bin, so no reason to feel guilty.

spine parts of a book

I love gently taking the spine apart and revealing the materials that make up the spine of the book. These treasures make unique collage materials.

book parts collage

Every book is different and has something special to offer. Some books are good for black out poems.

black out poem

It is fun to hunt for words that when combined give new meaning to the page. Recently, I realized that it matters to me what the book is about. Even though I am not reading the books and using them for their intended purpose the words matter. I want words to peek through and to draw the view in.

mark making tools

Another hunting expedition that I enjoy is finding mark making tools. I love to find a tool that I can dip into ink or paint and make patterned paper or delicate inked marks. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.

stenciled book pages

Making a collage is a lot of hunting and deciding what to keep and what to let go.

scraps collage

Ask yourself:

  • Do you hunt for materials and ideas in your art process?
  • Do you enjoy the hunt?

Consider joining me in Books as ART Materials, a mixed media online class. Read all the details on the workshop page.

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Try something new or different

collage, drawings, inspiration, mark making, mixed media printmaking / /

I have been making painted pages and collages lately. It is a bit new and different for me.

mixed media collage

Experimenting with a new technique or material can breathe new life into your art making practice. It might be a great way to stimulate ideas for your next series or project.

collaged houses

Or you could find a way to integrate new skills into your traditional practice.

gelatin print on painted book page

Are you inspired by images that you see online? Ask yourself what is the quality that you admire and then see if there is a way to bring that quality into your work.

It could be:

  • the subject matter
  • the shape, color or simplicity or
  • the medium or format

I encourage you today play with something new or different and then notice if it stimulates something in your practice.

An art class is one way to try something new, check out the current workshops and see if any are a good fit for you.

mixed media collage

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Tear, sew, burn and bind

book arts, collage, combined techniques, mark making, mixed media printmaking / /

Do you have a pile of paper or prints that you are willing to transform with:

  • tearing into collage shapes
  • sew with or without thread
  • burn or smoke stain and
  • bind or fold into books?

collage on children's board book

If so, then you might enjoy the Mixed Media Retreat, and online class starting soon.

Tear, burn and stitch mixed media art

The class is designed to introduce ideas and techniques into your practice that will transform your papers and prints into books and mixed media prints.

collage with gelatin prints

Each lesson includes:

  1. A simple mark making prompt
  2. A textural layering technique
  3. A book form for reshaping prints and papers
  4. An artist talk to stimulate the mind.

You can get more details and register on the workshop page.

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Abundance and texture – Books as ART Materials

altered books, artist book, book arts, collage, combined techniques / /

I wanted to share with you why I love using books as ART Materials.

Old books are:

  • tactile
  • intimate
  • abundant and
  • often nearly free

Books for making art collages

The pages can be the foundation for printing, painting collage and origami.

collage of book pages

But the parts that I love the most are:

  • the stuff that makes up the spine
  • the book cloth and
  • the book board

book as textural elements for collage

One old book can be the stimulus for many projects. If you thinks this sounds interesting, then gather some old, unwanted books and join us in the online class, Books as ART Materials.  Get all the details and register on the workshop page.

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