monotype print

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.

Woods, Walk – Work Read More »

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.

Change Perspective Read More »

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!

Change of Seasons – Printmaking inspiration Read More »

Why gelatin print on Fabric?

monotype print / /

Gelatin printmaking is a spontaneous experimental process. You can use the gelatin plate to print on paper or fabric.

gelatin prints on fabric

It is a very direct hands on approach. The feedback and impressions that you make is quite immediate. And the process does not require a lot of planning.

The tools are simple, low tech and non-toxic.

workspace for printing on fabric

When printing on fabric you can,

  • make unique one of a kind cloth for projects
  • transform old sheets into quilting materials
  • use found tools to make patterns and
  • use cut or found stencils to make personal designs

I use the glycerin, gelatin and water plate, and screen printing ink when I am printing on fabric. My approach is a little bit different, than when I am printing on paper.

These factors need to be considered:

  • the texture of the fabric
  • the speed at which the ink dries
  • moisture of the plate and fabric

I make adjustments and work more quickly to adapt to those conditions. The types of marks that are possible are similar but not exactly the same.

Check out current online workshops.

Why gelatin print on Fabric? Read More »