inspiration Archives - Linda Germain

Feeling the chaos? Maybe simplify

inspiration, masking stencils, monotype print / Linda Germain / February 12, 2024

Sometimes, I get overwhelmed with ideas and then I can’t choose one to play with. Usually, I go for a walk to get some clarity.

Then when I get back to the studio I have a 1-2-3 to do list. I like to have just three items on the list, that way I don’t get overwhelmed by a long list. When I finish the three activities, then I can make another list of 3.

I think this helps to create a sense of accomplishment.

This idea of simplifying can be applied to gelatin printmaking too. I will often:

Limit my color palette to cyan and black – classic printmaking colors
Use just 3 to 5 stencils of different volume or line quality
Print on my standard size paper, so that the prints can be easily turned into books

If you would like to explore simplifying your gelatin prints, then check out the details of the upcoming workshop and join us today. The online class starts March 1st.

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Make a brown bag book

artist book, book arts, handmade books, inspiration, mark making, techniques / Linda Germain / February 5, 2024

Today, I had the urge to make a brown bag book. I share with you my process so you can make some too.

First I took the bag apart, so it was one flat sheet.
Then I ironed out the wrinkles
Painted white gesso over the store advertising
Added some bold black india ink marks
Cut into long 10″ strips (final size 6″ x 9″)

The cut the long 10″ strip into 6″ x 9″ sheets
Fold each in half and stack inside each other to make a single signature
Clip together and punch 3 holes in the spine
Follow video instructions to sew together

A couple of extra tips:

It is ok if the pages are not perfectly the same
Make sure your holes are big enough for easier sewing
You can choose how you stack your sheets so you create a blank page spread and then a painted spread. Play with how you stack the sheets together to create a book that suits your style.
Press with heavy weight to get it to lay flat

I hope you enjoy the process as much as I did. Check out the self study classes available now.

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Layers of marks – a story

artist book, inspiration, mark making, mark making tools / Linda Germain / November 3, 2023

I like to make marks with:

stamping tools and the gelatin plate. The details can be amazing.
a pencil/crayon and my non-dominate hand. The line can be raw and authentic.
small hand made stamps. The patterns can be very stabilizing.

I combine these and a few other mark making techniques to make visual story books.

If you are curious about this approach to art making, then check out the details of the upcoming class Make Marks + Books.

This 7 lesson class is about exploring mark making and using a few simple printmaking techniques to make artist books. We will use a non-linear approach to layering and responding to the images. It is intuitive and yet guided by design principles, like variety and repetition.

Join me in the online class – Make Marks + Books. Give yourself the gift of time to explore.

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Seeing things differently

drawings, inspiration, mark making / Linda Germain / October 5, 2023

Our perception is our reality. And we can learn to perceive things differently. Okay that was a little deep. Let’s lighten up.

In my recent days, I have been doing a lot of line drawings of faces. I have done self portraits, zoom participants, and other images as references. I have to admit most of the drawings are not very strong likenesses of the subject.

This does not bother me. I am using the drawing process to change my perception and to build my seeing/drawing skills. I like the quick contour line drawing format. It is easy to squeeze in a few drawings every day.

I can practice noticing the different shapes of peoples facial features even when I am not drawing. This will help improve my actual drawings.

So much can be expressed in a simple line. Take emojis for example. Emotion is conveyed with just a few lines. I would love to develop the skills to capture unique expression with limited line.

One way that I try to learn to perceive differently is to do a drawing based on a photo and then trace the contour lines of the photo. Then compare the traced lines to the ones that I thought I saw in the first drawing (without tracing).

It is very helpful to me. For example this last drawing was based on a tracing from a photo of myself. I notice that my eyes are not equal and my face is not as long as I usually draw it. I challenge you to question your perception today. Be open to seeing in a new way.

If you want to explore, drawing, tracing and monoprinting to expand your seeing skills, then consider the online class, Draw into Print – a trace monotype workshop. Read all the details on the workshop page.

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A little art making everyday

inspiration / Linda Germain / September 7, 2023

Do you have expectations about what your art practice should be?

I do. I often get stuck in my tag line, printmaking without a press. Hmm? So does that mean I can’t draw, paint or make books?

I am trying to shed that limiting belief. It is challenging.

What does it indicate when I don’t feel like printing and would rather draw or paint?

I am trying hard to roll with the different interests and to trust that it will lead to a new artistic expression. I am embracing the idea of trusting the process and that the product will be revealed.

It is hard to be in between things, not knowing the end result.

I have tried to force myself to do old practices to see if they could stimulate interest and desire to print, but they have not worked that way. I think the important action I can take is to keep trying different approaches and to embrace an attitude of patience with the process.

If you are in between things, sometimes taking a class can give you a boost. Check out the current workshops that are available.

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