monotype print

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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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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Change Perspective

monotype print / /

The human eye can choose focus amazingly fast. I walk through the woods/world and see things that inspire me.

woods walk for ideas

Then when I try to take a photo to capture what I see – it is not the same.

But I don’t give up.

  • I take lots of pictures.
  • I change the angle.
  • I get closer.
  • I wait for better light

woods for inspiration

I think this persistence pays off with a pleasing picture every so often. This idea can apply to printmaking and other types of mark making.

Gelatin Prints by Linda Germain

So I encourage you to be persistent and change your perspective. And eventually the magic will happen.

If you want to explore gelatin printmaking, get the FREE recipe to make the plate and let the fun begin.

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Change of Seasons – Printmaking inspiration

monotype print / /

With every new season, I get new ideas and inspiration. I am lucky to live in New England and we have such spectacular colors in the fall.

Autumn tree inspires

I observe the changes almost daily on my morning walks. The woods and the foliage changes slowly and steadily.

fall colors inspire printmaking

This means that the plants and weeds, that I use as masking stencils for gelatin printmaking are not always available. I have learned over time:

  • Late summer ferns are strong and good for perserving
  • Brilliant autumn leaves are inspiring color patterns
  • Winter offers hardy dried weeds that can be good for rubbings
  • All seasons offer some kind of sturdy weed, if I look hard enough.

strong ferns good masking stencils

This means that I enter the woods or the street with an eye for the qualities that make a botanical good for printmaking. I look for:

  • Plants that are sturdy
  • Plants that are flat but interesting line
  • Plants that have interesting textures

use glycerin as retarder

I encourage you to give yourself the gift of a walk with awareness of the weeds at your feet. They may inspired your next series of prints.

gelatin plate monotype print by linda germain

Happy Printing!

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