inspiration Archives - Page 2 of 27

Phone – studio tool

inspiration / Linda Germain / June 11, 2024

How many ways do you use your phone in your art practice? I know we are advised to limit screen time, but our phones have so many features that can be a challenge.

Maybe we could limit mindless screen time? Go back to rotary phones??

I use my phone:

to photograph art work and inspiration constantly
to shoot video of processes
to time exposures – cyanotypes
to listen to soothing music
as a timer to get things done
to create reminder lists
to make slideshows
to capture before and after clean studio pictures
to check the time or weather for making plans
to check out art friends social activities
find free clip art
Screenshots of internet ideas/instructions

With all of these uses, I can see why it is a challenge to reduce screen time. I am okay with many of those activities. And I know my black holes, Netflix, Youtube and Freevee.

I am giving up feeling bad about using my phone and will be looking for more creative uses for this studio tool. I invite you to try some gentleness around your phone use and art practice.

Check out the online classes available now.

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In and Out of the Studio

artist book, combined techniques, inspiration, monotype print / Linda Germain / May 15, 2024

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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Take an art vacation

artist book, book arts, drawings, inspiration / Linda Germain / May 7, 2024

I just got back from a week at Maine Media. Oh boy did I need to get away. And I am glad to be back in the studio with renewed energy and ideas.

I have joined in on some online courses this year and they have been stimulating too. But working in person with instructors and fellow artists offers another energy.

The class was “A Sense of Place” with Isobel Lewis. We explored Rockport Harbor on the first day and did several drawings to capture the feel and essence. Luckily it was a sunny spring day.

We spent the week making marks and working the papers into several different book forms.

The book above was formed with 4 Tetra Pak intaglio prints. I love the loose threads that symbolize the ropes and lines of the boating community.

Enjoy a short video of a single sheet accordion book that a made during the week.

Consider giving yourself the gift of an art vacation. Some of the places that I have enjoyed:

Maine Media workshops
Haystack Mountain School
Art New England
Summer Immersive @ Montserrat Collage of Art

Check your local art schools for more options.

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Feeling the chaos? Maybe simplify

inspiration, masking stencils, monotype print / Linda Germain / February 12, 2024

Sometimes, I get overwhelmed with ideas and then I can’t choose one to play with. Usually, I go for a walk to get some clarity.

Then when I get back to the studio I have a 1-2-3 to do list. I like to have just three items on the list, that way I don’t get overwhelmed by a long list. When I finish the three activities, then I can make another list of 3.

I think this helps to create a sense of accomplishment.

This idea of simplifying can be applied to gelatin printmaking too. I will often:

Limit my color palette to cyan and black – classic printmaking colors
Use just 3 to 5 stencils of different volume or line quality
Print on my standard size paper, so that the prints can be easily turned into books

If you would like to explore simplifying your gelatin prints, then check out the details of the upcoming workshop and join us today. The online class starts March 1st.

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Make a brown bag book

artist book, book arts, handmade books, inspiration, mark making, techniques / Linda Germain / February 5, 2024

Today, I had the urge to make a brown bag book. I share with you my process so you can make some too.

First I took the bag apart, so it was one flat sheet.
Then I ironed out the wrinkles
Painted white gesso over the store advertising
Added some bold black india ink marks
Cut into long 10″ strips (final size 6″ x 9″)

The cut the long 10″ strip into 6″ x 9″ sheets
Fold each in half and stack inside each other to make a single signature
Clip together and punch 3 holes in the spine
Follow video instructions to sew together

A couple of extra tips:

It is ok if the pages are not perfectly the same
Make sure your holes are big enough for easier sewing
You can choose how you stack your sheets so you create a blank page spread and then a painted spread. Play with how you stack the sheets together to create a book that suits your style.
Press with heavy weight to get it to lay flat

I hope you enjoy the process as much as I did. Check out the self study classes available now.

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