inspiration

With the busyness of today’s world, it can be hard to hear the voice inside you. I know I go to my phone constantly for answers and ideas.

This does not have to be a good or bad thing. It is just a way of finding answers or information.

I would like to trust myself a little more and be better able to move forward without needing to check the weather or the surf cam first.

To help me quiet the outside world and be able to hear my intuition, I go into the woods. But even there I have my phone to measure my pace or photograph a shadow.

Writing helps release some of the chatter. I often do stream of consciousness writing, as described in The Artist’s Way, by Julia Cameron.

Willingness to not know the answer yet and be in a state of uncertainty is helpful. It takes time and practice to hear and listen to your intuition. Little by little you will get better at knowing what is right for you.

What does this have to do with printmaking?

Well, I think much of art making is learning to play with tools by learning to listen to your intuition. Of course there are physical skills and maybe even design principles that are necessary.  But the magic happens when you trust yourself to try it and see what happens.

As a teacher, I am always trying to foster both the physical skills and the trust in one’s self. I think of learning as a cycle of hard skills and experimentation. And only the student knows if she is ready for hard skills or it’s time to play.

If this approach to learning sounds interesting to you, then check out the Gelatin Print Project. It is a 3 part online printmaking class that starts soon.

One way to infuse your art practice with new energy is to try something new, and maybe even seemingly unrelated to your usual art making habits.

A few “new” skills that I have played with are:

• Clay play – this was so addictive and fun. I learned I like to see results fast and that a lot of printmaking techniques can be used in making clay objects. I took a local class.
• Photography challenge – This one is so easy to do with digital phones and cameras. Just stop and capture what catches your eye. I use shadow photos all the time to make drawings and stencils. I just set challenges for myself.
• Sew, knit or crochet something.  I have made quilts, aprons and bags with my monoprinted fabric. Threads, yarns and fibers always work their way into my prints.

The key is to embrace the beginner’s mind, open, curious and willing. So I encourage you to find something new to try. It doesn’t even have to be about making something.

Sometimes a class helps to learn a new skill. Maybe the Gelatin Print Project is just what you need. Read all the details about this class on the workshop page.

 

Sometimes it is time to do nothing and really rest. This can be challenging for a maker. But it might be what your body, mind and spirit need.

I have had those times when I tried to push through and just do it. That can be frustrating and counter-productive.

If you are not sure whether you should push on or take a rest, you try a little of both and see which one feels better.

Often a rest can fill you with new energy and ideas.

What is a rest?

• a short walk or nap
• a week long retreat
• a day in nature

A rest is specific and personal. It all depends on what your body, mind and spirit need. I think you can tune in and rest as much or as little as you need.

Other times the energy and stimulation of a class helps. If that is what you need then check out the 3 part Gelatin Print Project.

 

Simple is not necessarily easy or uninteresting. I think of these qualities:

• clear
• honed to the essentials
• free from ornamentation
• readily understood/admired

Often it is challenging to hone something down to its essential elements and still maintain meaning. In gelatin printmaking there is so much excitement, energy and possibility that it can be hard to embrace the less is more idea.

I offer you this challenge to gain clarity and insight into your printmaking style try one of these ideas:

• Use 3 or less stencils
• Print with blue/black ink
• Try to include light whites and dark blacks in your prints

You may notice that you resist these boundaries. That could be a good thing. Or you could create a boundary of your own and see what insights evolve.

If you would like the structure of a class to help you simplify your gelatin printmaking then check out the details of the online class.