inspiration

As I sort through stuff in my studio, I have been pleasantly surprised by some of my older prints and drawings.

I was reminded of:

• ways that I fearlessly used tools
• how I explored and exhausted a subject matter
• to try it and see what happens
• use non-traditional papers
• made lots of prints get a few that I loved

I found these gelatin prints and was reminded to work with an attitude of play and discovery.

Here I freely scribbled with pastels to unify and complete this little gelatin plate monotype print. I am looking forward to add some scribble and play back into my daily practice.

Here I was reminder to get my sewing machine out, pull out the thread and make some perforated prints. I love the texture and surprise that thew sewn mark makes on paper.

Here I thought about how much I like to simplify and make a few bold marks. And to even let the imperfection show through.

This gelatin plate monotype print was made on a stream of conscious style typed paper. Tells me to start playing with my old typewriter again.

I hope this encourages you to look through some of your older work with a sense of discovery.

Maybe you will how much your style has:

• stayed the same
• changed or developed.

Hopefully what you do find will make you smile.

Get support from an online class. Check out the current offerings on the printmaking workshop page.

If you are looking to breathe new life into your art practice, try a completely new skill. I just started a clay class at my local art center and my mind is buzzing with new ideas.
Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

The ways that this class is feeding my printmaking practice:

• Getting me excited about making
• Thinking about patterns, textures and surface design
• Making me embrace the beginners mind
• Helping me to form goals about what I want to learn and accomplish

And this is just after one class!

So if you want a creative boost step out of your usual and get a class in a new medium. You could:

• look for a class at your local art center, school, museum or adult ed
• watch a free tutorial online and then actually do it 🙂 Here’s a Drawing Tutorial
• take a class on line – maybe even,
• Get support from an online class.
• Check out the current offerings on the printmaking workshop page.

For me it is important to be able to start the class/learn as soon as I can. Happy making!

Whether you have a big space or a tiny table I think we can arrange tools, supplies and artwork to encourage creative creation.

I have moved my studio 3 times in the last 5 years, from a shared space to a huge factory loft, to a small apartment and back to the shared space.

Each space has advantages and disadvantages. I am happy to be back in a shared space – nice to have other people around.

They all needed:

• Accessible storage for supplies
• Computer and printer space
• Active design and display ares
• Storage for tools not in use

It is a big benefit to have a “slop” sink and floors that are not precious.

The things that I have found most useful for organizing:

1. Plastic boxes that can be stacked and made into table with an old door on top
2. Cardboard boxes that are labeled and that fit on my shelves
3. Filing folders are great for small prints
4. Plastic salad containers – stack and nest supplies
5. Jars and cups for pens and brushes and stuff
6. Suitcases with wheels for fabric, frames and more
7. Tacks and binder clips for displaying prints in progress
8. Bed boosters to make workbench a better height
9. Lots of shelves
10. Cube shelves for easy access to papers
11. Big sheets of foam core to make a temporary table
12. Ironing board – an adjustable table
13. Clothes lines for prints and fabric
14. Big standing bags for storage that is accessible – rags, threads
15. Comfortable chair or couch for breaks
16. Hooks, nails for rulers, tools and brushes

I would call my space controlled chaos. I go from comfortable working space to overwhelming mess and back to comfort. It helps to let go of tools and papers and prints that I don’t use or love.

I have come to realize that there will always be more and by letting go, I am making open space for something new.

Be inspired by other’s studios on my Pinterest board.

Enjoy!

Sometimes you need a little inspiration to feed your art practice.

I have been feeding my art practice in many ways these past few weeks and I am beginning to feel renewed. My mind is buzzing with new ideas. So I share these motivating activities with you hoping that they might help you too.

1 – Take walks and notice the beauty

Whether I do the bridge to bridge loop in the city or the woods and lake trail, I always return to the studio with new energy. So squeeze in a walk and see what happens.

2 – Embrace the seasonal changes

Spring in New England overs new growth and new colors. Play with the colors of the season.

3 – Be with Happy People

I am lucky to enjoy the company of my twin nephews a couple times a week. You will be amazed at how much the creative energy of young people can give you new energy too.

4 – Take a Art Class

I love taking classes and I always find a way to incorporate something into my art practice. Right now I am enjoying Fine Art Collage with Melinda Tidwell. I am dreaming about shapes! Check out the workshops that I am currently offering.

5 – Get some new supplies

I always love the hunt for new “supplies.” Often they are found object stamping tools. But these days I am into using that parts of hard cover books. I got all these books for $5 at a local library sale. Happy happy!

This is one of my recent collages, made with book parts.

6 – Use up some supplies

I have stack of monoprinted fabric. So I quickly made a new pillow cover. I used some to make book cloth to cover a big paper weight.

7 – Watch an art documentary

I found some Rex Ray images on Pinterest a while back. And was reminded of his style in the collage class. Then I found this documentary on PBS. I was inspired by how real he seemed to be. So whether it is Rex Ray or another artist, do a web search for art documentaries.

8 – Doodle in your sketchbook

I do this most mornings with my coffee. And most of the time it is not much of anything. It is an Artist’s Way style of brain dump.

My Rex Ray inspired collage

Monoprinted fabric with masking tape stencils

I hope I have shared something that will help you renew your energy and art practice. Enjoy!

 

Time!

Carve some out and claim it for yourself.

• Are there ways that you can make it easy for yourself to claim time for art?
• Are there small ways to work art making into your day?
• Are there little changes that you can make that would support your art practice?

Some of the most powerful art making habits that I practice require very little time. I encourage you to be open to seeing how you can fit tiny art making habits into your day.

1 – Take a picture

I noticed this series of shadows when I was sitting at the Addison Gallery of American Art.

Shadows are my thing. I notice them all the time on my walks. It is pretty easy to pull out my phone and capture the shadow. The shadows can then become, stencils, drawings or prints.

Photograph your thing!

2 – Flip through books

Go to the library or bookstore and skim books that look interesting to you. You could look at a certain technique or artist or artistic style. Maybe even get inspiration from a completely new approach that you have never tried.

I hardly ever read an art book. I look at pictures and get more of a feeling from the books.

3 – Doodle, scribble or write

Find a pen and a stack of index cards and leave them everywhere:

• beside your bed
• on the coffee table
• in your purse
• in the car
• in your backpack

The little index card journal can be used for:

• quick sketches
• imaginary drawings
• collage
• reminder notes and more

4 – Enjoy nature!

Nature can be an infinite source of inspiration for your art practice. Think of “nature” in the broadest sense. You can step out your office door in the city and let the sun shine down on your face!

Air, water, earth – find some and smile!

Let it sink in and then you can bring the feeling back to the studio in the form of:

• sketches
• ideas
• photos
• tools and
• new energy and plans.

I hope I have given you some ideas on how to make time for your art practice. Maybe take an art class.

If you can claim a little time to feed your art practice, then that creative energy will spill over into other parts of your day. Enjoy!