combined techniques

Tear, sew, burn and bind

book arts, collage, combined techniques, mark making, mixed media printmaking / /

Do you have a pile of paper or prints that you are willing to transform with:

  • tearing into collage shapes
  • sew with or without thread
  • burn or smoke stain and
  • bind or fold into books?

collage on children's board book

If so, then you might enjoy the Mixed Media Retreat, and online class starting soon.

Tear, burn and stitch mixed media art

The class is designed to introduce ideas and techniques into your practice that will transform your papers and prints into books and mixed media prints.

collage with gelatin prints

Each lesson includes:

  1. A simple mark making prompt
  2. A textural layering technique
  3. A book form for reshaping prints and papers
  4. An artist talk to stimulate the mind.

You can get more details and register on the workshop page.

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Abundance and texture – Books as ART Materials

altered books, artist book, book arts, collage, combined techniques / /

I wanted to share with you why I love using books as ART Materials.

Old books are:

  • tactile
  • intimate
  • abundant and
  • often nearly free

Books for making art collages

The pages can be the foundation for printing, painting collage and origami.

collage of book pages

But the parts that I love the most are:

  • the stuff that makes up the spine
  • the book cloth and
  • the book board

book as textural elements for collage

One old book can be the stimulus for many projects. If you thinks this sounds interesting, then gather some old, unwanted books and join us in the online class, Books as ART Materials.  Get all the details and register on the workshop page.

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Deconstructing a book – discovery process

altered books, artist book, book arts, collage, combined techniques / /

I am getting ready for the Book as ART Materials class, and realizing how much I enjoy the deconstruction and discovery process of take an old book apart.

deconstruct books to use as art materials

And I suggest that for this process it is okay to judge a book by its cover.

collect old books to alter

When using books as art materials, I think the older books have more surprises to offer. And they are a lot easier to take apart.

The magical parts are in the spine and the covers. The spine often has glue, mesh and other supportive materials that are great for collage.

book parts collage

Pages can be used for so many applications. Basically you can use them for any project that calls for paper:

  • origami
  • printmaking
  • painting
  • collage and more

I encourage you to find an old but not precious book and dissect it! Then see what you can make with the parts. And join us in the online class, Books as ART Materials. Read the details on the workshop page.

art projects using book parts

 

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Things I tell myself

combined techniques, mark making / /

Art making is often a solitary process. But there is still a lot of conversation during the process.

Mixed media book page

My self talk is always in the background:

  • What I am doing this for?
  • What if I fail?
  • What if I ruin it?
  • How do I know if it is right?
  • Is it good enough?

unique artist book

I try to get beyond those judgments and fears by thinking more about the process than the product. So I say things like:

  • I can trust in the process
  • I don’t need to know
  • The magic happens when I can let go of control
  • It is a one of a kind process
  • Keep what I like
  • Notice what I enjoy
  • Let go of the struggle
  • Less is more
  • Leave some empty space
  • Admire the print

Make marks artist book

I encourage my students to adopt some of these thoughts. In the class, Make Marks and Books we break the steps down into seemingly unrelated elements.

  • We work in a loose book form to give the process a final product.
  • We slowly build up layers of marks to create an intuitive book
  • It is about learning to make space and build connections
  • It is about layering simple marks to create a rich visual story

If you would like to embrace this mark making process, then join us in Make Marks and Books. Read all the details on the workshop page. Class starts soon.

hand crafted artist book

 

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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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