monotype print

Failure informs

artist book, collage, inspiration, mixed media printmaking, monotype print / /

Every time things don’t work out as I had hoped, it is an opportunity for me to learn something.

mixed media sketchbook linda germain

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?

Accordion book with gelatin prints

I could ask those kinds of questions about almost any situation in life, art, business, family or well being.

collage poem by linda germain

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.”

make lots of gelatin prints

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.

sketchbooks by Linda Germain

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.

make gelatin prints into books Linda Germain

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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3 Uses for Glycerin – printmaking

monotype print / /

Whenever I am at my local big box store, I always check to see if they have glycerin in stock. And if they do I buy a couple of bottles.

supplies to make the gelatin and glycerin plate

With pandemic many folks are using glycerin to make hand sanitizer, so it can be challenging to find.

1 – Make a long lasting gelatin plate

I use 2 bottles of glycerin to make the homemade gelatin plate. This is a malleable printing plate that is great for making monotypes with out a printing press.pour the gelatin plate

You can get the FREE recipe and make your own printing plate here. With some time and playful practice you will be making your own beautiful monotype prints.

delicate gelatin plate monotype print by linda germain

2 – Use glycerin to preserve botanicals

I use a lot of leaves and ferns as masking stencils. Some of these materials I have had for years because I preserved them in a glycerin and water bath.

glycerin and water to preserve leaves

Leaves and ferns can last for years and be used to make lovely monotype impressions. Try it! Get some instructions here.

gelatin plate monotype print by linda germain

3 – Use glycerin as a retarder with Speedball Water based block printing ink

For some reason retarder is a little bit expensive and only sold in smaller tubes. But luckily one of my students told me that a few drops of glycerin can be used to slow the drying time of the Speedball water based inks.

glycerin as a retarder

I use it for this purpose when I make trace monotype prints. I works nicely to keep the ink alive and workable.

gestural trace monotype

If you are interested in learning more about printmaking without a press, then check out the current online classes.

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Let the wilderness support your art practice

monotype print / /

Most recently I have been giving myself permission to sit by the lake in the woods. There is a tiny conflicting voice that is telling me to get to “work”.

sit by the lake for ideas

But I am finding that the gift of that time by the lake makes it easier to get to work later. Hmmm?

So I offer you this challenge:

  • Find some wilderness nearby, woods, lake, ocean, park
  • Go there walk, sit and breathe it in
  • See if this gift of time in nature improves your “work” time

gelatin prints on tea bags

I get many ideas and inspiration from the woods:

Hope I have encouraged you to walk in the woods today.

shadows make good stencil images

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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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Art making habits

monotype print / /

Do you have art making habits?

Gel print by linda germain

Do you need to change some ways that you approach art making to create new work?

move beyond the chaos

  • I noticed that my messy cluttered space caused me to dread going to the studio.
  • I go crazy when I know I have a certain tool and can’t find it after 20 minutes of searching
  • I love looking at a wall of completed prints
  • I love stackable boxes that hold my prints, stencils and papers

gelatin plate prints by linda germain

I challenge you to get a cup of tea, take a seat in your workspace and look around for 15 minutes or so.

  • Notice what you love
  • Notice what drags you down
  • Even take pictures
  • Notice things you use and don’t use
  • Notice things you think you might use someday
  • Or things that you “should” use
  • Or things that are too precious to use

After this contemplation, would you say your space supports your art practice?

print storage

Could you take 20 minutes and

  • get rid of things you don’t use?
  • sort through a pile of papers or tools?
  • clear off a table?
  • make a plan to set up your space so that it supports your creativity.

One other way to support your creative habits, is to take a class. Check out the art classes being offered right now.

100 print project

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