combined techniques

In and Out of the Studio

artist book, combined techniques, inspiration, monotype print / /

I think time outside of the studio, feeds what is created in the studio. What is your experience?

artist book relief prints

I often see shadows and leaves on my morning walks that I use as reference in my gelatin printmaking. I collect weeds and grasses to use as masking stencils too.

cast shadows great for drawing

Lately, I have been doing lots of line drawings of faces. Old photos have been the stimulus for some of these drawings. I have also been capturing new images of family members to use as reference.

stylized portrait

Even an extended vacation could inspire a new series or process.

gelatin prints bound into artist books

I just came back from Maine Media for a week long class, A Sense of Place with Isobel Lewis. I enjoyed exploring new book forms and printmaking methods.

If you are looking for a stay at home art vacation option, then check out the self study classes on my workshop page.

botanical gelatin plate monotype prints

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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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Deconstructing a book – discovery process

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

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.

deconstruct books to use as art materials

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

collect old books to alter

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.

book parts 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.

art projects using book parts

 

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Things I tell myself

combined techniques, mark making / /

Art making is often a solitary process. But there is still a lot of conversation during the process.

Mixed media book page

My self talk is always in the background:

  • What I am doing this for?
  • What if I fail?
  • What if I ruin it?
  • How do I know if it is right?
  • Is it good enough?

unique artist book

I try to get beyond those judgments and fears by thinking more about the process than the product. So I say things like:

  • I can trust in the process
  • I don’t need to know
  • The magic happens when I can let go of control
  • It is a one of a kind process
  • Keep what I like
  • Notice what I enjoy
  • Let go of the struggle
  • Less is more
  • Leave some empty space
  • Admire the print

Make marks artist book

I encourage my students to adopt some of these thoughts. In the class, Make Marks and Books we break the steps down into seemingly unrelated elements.

  • We work in a loose book form to give the process a final product.
  • We slowly build up layers of marks to create an intuitive book
  • It is about learning to make space and build connections
  • It is about layering simple marks to create a rich visual story

If you would like to embrace this mark making process, then join us in Make Marks and Books. Read all the details on the workshop page. Class starts soon.

hand crafted artist book

 

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