book arts

Magazines and books – sources of inspiration

altered books, book arts, drawings, inspiration, mixed media printmaking / /

Once or twice a year I get a stack of old magazines from a library or other recycling source.

Stencils from magazines

It is a treat to feast on the pictures and text. I cut stencils and roll pages into mark making tools, make collages and more.

book as photo subject

I go through the magazines several different times for collage and drawing projects.

cut up book pages for collage
cut out word poems

Parts of the magazine that inspire me:

  1. Words – for found poems and collages
  2. Fonts – for drawing
  3. Photos for drawing references
  4. Thumbnails of larger pictures – composition ides
  5. Illustrations – for drawing ideas
  6. Figures and silhouettes for stencil making

poems from magazines

So go to your library or recycling center and get a stack of magazines and make stuff. The images and words that you find are a jumping off place for your own uniques expression. Twist, crop and rearrange the words and images to make something new.

Make some origami boxes – There is a free tutorial here.

origami box from magazines

 

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Just play for 20 minutes

book arts, combined techniques / /

You could start your day with 20 minutes of art play and see what a difference it makes.

meditative marks by linda germain

Of course it would:

  • need to be fun
  • need to be easy
  • could get messy

Somethings you could do to support your new art play practice:

  • Use just a few supplies
  • Set them up the day before
  • Use a 20 minute timer (time flies when you are having fun)

It has been said, “To stimulate creativity, one must develop the childlike inclination for play and the childlike desire for recognition.” (Albert Einstein)

If you would to join me in a bit of supported play, then check out the online workshops currently being offered.

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Mark up your sketchbook

artist book, book arts, fabric prints / /

I recently made a sketchbook with some monoprinted book cloth.

sketchbook with hand made book cloth

I used a sewn tab binding. It is pretty sturdy. And it is small enough to take to the woods.

sketchbook by linda germain

But first I am going to:

  • scribble with pencil
  • add relief stamp paptterns
  • glue in some flower prints
  • doodle with marker

make marks in sketchbook

You may think what would be left for sketching? And you maybe right. A lot of the pages will be marked up with information.

collage in your sketchbook

But it is my book. And what I have come to understand is that in my books the linear drawing may not be the star. So if the book is filled with words or printed marks, then that is okay.

I offer you this challenge to use your sketchbook in ways that support your art practice and to let go of any limiting ideas of what your sketchbook should be. I think you will experience more joy.

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Scraps collage – so much fun!

altered books, artist book, book arts / /

One way to get your creative juices flowing and quiet the inner critic is to work on several small pieces at once.

scraps collage linda germain

Another way to keep the creativity flowing to to layer and respond with minimal marks.

layered collage linda germain

I did these scraps collages with bits and pieces of book pages and part in my online class, Books as ART Materials.

tiny collage of book parts

I approach the project with an attitude of playful discovery. I work up about 12 4″ square pieces in layers.

paper collage by linda germain

Sometimes a get a few striking collages. But I am always developing my design and composition skills.

12 tiny collages with book parts

Give it a try at the end of the day, gather the bits of waste from your work bench, add scribbles, text or coffee stains and see what happens.

If you would like to explore using Books as ART Materials, then join us in the upcoming class. Read all the details on the workshop page.

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Found Poems

artist book, book arts, collage / /

I am getting ready for the Books as ART Materials class and having fun making found poems.

found poems

Books are mostly words and pages, so I like to find ways to use those elements in new art work.

found poem by linda germain

I like to:

  • Cut words and phrases out of several different books, with different font sizes
  • Then rearrange the words into a 4  line poem
  • Some poems I really love
  • And some are just part of the process of making

collaged poem

I also use old book pages at scrap to catch excess glue from the glue stick.

collage poem by linda germain

Give this meditative poem making a try! 

If you want to explore more ways to use old books, then join us in Books As ART Materials, the online class. Read the details here.

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