collage Archives - Page 2 of 4

Deconstructing a book – discovery process

altered books, artist book, book arts, collage, combined techniques / Linda Germain / February 21, 2022

I am getting ready for the Book as ART Materials class, and realizing how much I enjoy the deconstruction and discovery process of take an old book apart.

And I suggest that for this process it is okay to judge a book by its cover.

When using books as art materials, I think the older books have more surprises to offer. And they are a lot easier to take apart.

The magical parts are in the spine and the covers. The spine often has glue, mesh and other supportive materials that are great for collage.

Pages can be used for so many applications. Basically you can use them for any project that calls for paper:

origami
printmaking
painting
collage and more

I encourage you to find an old but not precious book and dissect it! Then see what you can make with the parts. And join us in the online class, Books as ART Materials. Read the details on the workshop page.

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What will you nourish in 2022?

collage, drawings, inspiration / Linda Germain / January 3, 2022

Some folks pick an inspirational word at the beginning of the new year. I have never really done it before, but for some reason the word nourish is in my head these past few days.

Nourish has a warm comforting feeling.

If you look it up in the dictionary, you will find it means:

to nurture, to rear
to promote the growth of
to furnish or sustain with nutriment
to feed, maintain or support

Whether we realize it or not we are most likely nourishing something. It might be kids, or health or our art practice.

I am encouraged to look more closely at what I am doing to nourish my body, mind and soul. Nourish seems to be compassionate, caring and wise.

Three ways I am planning to nourish my life:

Eat more whole clean food and listen to the feedback from my body.
Gently let go of stuff in my car, home and studio, so my space is comfort.
Give myself more time each day to play at making marks.

The caring and supportive sense I get from the word nourish makes me feel excited to “feed” myself and grow healthier and happier with these activities. I don’t feel burdened by these “goals.”

I encourage you to try on the idea of nourishing yourself. What small change could you make to feel stronger, safer, or more nurtured?

Maybe join us in Creating Habits, the online class that explores a bit of drawing, collage and sketchbooking. Class starts January 7, 2022. Read all the details on the workshop page.

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Making for the mind

artist book, collage, drawings, inspiration / Linda Germain / November 16, 2021

I have been playing with drawing and collage lately. I can do these activities while I watch a funny show or listen to upbeat music.

Printmaking is a bit more physical and takes more focus.

Am I tired? Hmmm? Am I looking for a more relaxing making activity?

I am not sure. I don’t think this was a conscious decision. But in the process I have embraced some processes that are relaxing and fun. And I think that these new practices are developing my seeing and design skills.

For more art making habits check out this post on Ways to motivate. Enjoy!

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Use your paper scraps

collage, inspiration, relief prints / Linda Germain / June 8, 2021

I trim a lot of paper and usually have a lot of scraps of the same size.

I use these paper trimmings to make:

small books
cards
to do list papers

My everyday print paper is Pacon heavyweight drawing paper, 90lb. I like to buy the ream 12″ x 18″. Then I can cut some common sizes that are easy to frame.

Most recently I have been making a daily collage with odd scraps in the recycle bin. I pull out 5 pieces of paper and give myself 15 minutes to make a collage.

One time I used the trimmed paper from a book project to make a long skinny book for foam relief prints. So don’t throw those paper trimmings away.

I use a lot of little “To Do” lists. So I added some stamped marks to the bottom of some waste paper and made my lists a little more fun!

So what do you think you could do with your paper scraps and trimmings? I hope I have stimulated your thoughts and you make some fun stuff!

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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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