inspiration

Things I have learned lately – Making ART

drawings, inspiration, mark making tools / /

I recently participated in Karen Abend’s Sketchbook Revival. It was a free event with 28 generous teachers sharing ideas for making art in our sketchbooks.

sketch booking by the lake

I also did a class with Lewis Rossignol through Carla Sonheim Presents.

draw more and enjoy the process

So I have taken in a lot of information and ideas about using a sketchbook. And I am starting to appreciate my style of drawing and mark making.

doodle your message

Let me share a few ideas that motivate me:

  1. From Danny Gregory – Use up those art supplies – don’t let them be precious
  2. From Carla Sonheim – Look more at the things I want to draw – notice the shapes, lines, etc
  3. John Muir Laws – Count and observe and record like a scientist, in a curious way.
  4. Play with sticks and ink from Helen Wells
  5. I am willing to sit and listen for my daily message and write it in my sketchbook – thanks to Jessica Swift.
  6. I love to “mess up” my sketchbook as encouraged by Lewis Rossignol.

sticks to make marks

If you are looking for support and encouragement and an online printmaking class, then check out the current classes.

make marks in your sketchbook

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Play with Printmaking

inspiration, mark making tools, tools / /

Things can get serious. So that is why I routinely remind myself to put some play back into my printmaking.

Mock xray cyanotype gel print

Sometimes I get hung up on results, process or materials.

tiny eraser stamps

To get a lighter fresh approach I:

  • Try a new technique – tiny eraser stamps above
  • Use simple or new tool – rusted paper below
  • Use my ten pieces of paper idea

If you have a child or grandchild to print with that can be a great way to loosen up and play.

make art with kids

It takes time to really let yourself get into the play mode. Sometimes I need to make a mess and a bunch of ugly prints along the way.

experimental prints can be ugly

Yet, in the end something new usually emerges.

patterned papers

hand made artist book

I hope I have encouraged you to put some play into your printmaking today. Enjoy!

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Boundaries create Space – art approach

inspiration / /

Boundaries give you limited choices and then you figure out how to make things work.

gelatin prints on tea bags

What would be a boundary in gelatin printmaking?

  • Limit your stencils to 3 – 5
  • Work with only 2 colors
  • Print 3 layers or less

So often we are so excited to play with lots of stencils and mark making tools. And as a result our prints can be confusing and chaotic.

art fuel your local center

So as the physical excitement to use all your tools at once mellows, I challenge you to create a boundary for your next printmaking session. Pick something that supports your style. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but that when the magic starts to happen.

delicate gelatin monotype print by linda germain

One way to impose boundaries is to join a class, then the teacher gives you exercises and assignments.

The 100 Print Project starts soon and is structured to guide you to take many small steps to create a 100 print installation. READ the details on the printmaking workshop page.

installation of gelatin prints

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Ritual – end of the year

inspiration, monotype print / /

I like to review my year in photos. I choose happy images that remind me of good times. Enjoy this 2 minute video.

Another ritual that I like to do from time to time:

  • Write down anything I want to let go of on a small slip of paper
  • Burn the troubles and paper in small jar
  • Give the ashes new life

Today, I wrote down everything from 2020 that I want to release and let go of.

release your worries ritual

And I had so many slips of paper that I was afraid that I would set off the smoke detectors/sprinkler system in my studio, if I burned them inside. So I headed to the beach.

beach a healing place for letting go ritual

The beach is a healing place for me. I walked out to Rye Ledge with my worries, some matches and a jar. The winds were light and the tide was low. And I set my 2020 worries free – up in smoke.

let worries go ritual

The final step will be to do something new with the remains. That will be for another day.

let nature inspire art making

I encourage you to embrace a ritual of review, celebration and letting go! It may clear your energy for the new year.

Consider supporting your printmaking habit in 2021 – join us in the 100 Print Project, online printmaking class. Read all the details on the workshop page.

installation of gelatin plate prints

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Woods, Walk – Work

inspiration, monotype print / /

I think as artists we are always “working.” This is because we are always seeing the world as a catalyst for creation.

gelatin prints with botanicals on tea bagsCups of tea and found botanicals informed this series of prints.

“Work” could be defined quite broadly and will different for everyone.

found object stencils

I found these masking stencils on my daily walks.

For me there are many steps to working:

  • Daily Habits  – like writing morning pages
  • Image creation or capture – like photos and doodles
  • Studio play – when I start to put marks and materials together

I played with hand written fonts.

Each step is valuable and serves a different purpose. I do think it is important to let each step have it’s own style of expression. And to remember that each step in it’s own way is part of the act of creation.

shadow to inspire stencils

So a walk in the woods and doodling with morning coffee is an important part of the process that supports studio time.

screen printed napkin and coffee

Need help sticking to your studio practice, sometimes a class is a good place for ideas and support. Check out the current online workshops that I am offering.

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