The Master Repeats

the masters repeat - make many prints to gain skills - Linda Germain
the masters repeat – make many prints to gain skills – Linda Germain

I have joined Jennifer Lee in her Right Brainers in Business Summit – 2014. She offers wisdom from a range of speakers for the next 14 days.  Check out the details.  Well, I did not think I had time to listen, but I was so inspired by Michael Port on Monday, that I am looking forward to the next few days.

Michael said, “the masters repeat.”  If you want to be a great dancer or piano player you practice, practice, practice.  This was so affirming, because that is how I feel about making monotypes.  To improve or gain printmaking skills, you must repeat, repeat, repeat.   I make many prints and to get a few that I like.  I try to encourage my students to do the same.

What about you?  Do believe practice and repetition  are necessary to obtain new skills?

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It takes patience….

Rust for distressing paper and fabric - Linda Germain
Rust for distressing paper and fabric – Linda Germain

Spring comes, the snow melts and reveals lots of rusty metal bits.  I have a box of such treasures.  I love the textures and colors of decay.  Today, I spritzed some cotton fabric  with a vinegar and water mix.  Then I layered and wrapped the fabric with rusty metal.  Now I need the patience to leave it all alone until it dries.  Links to some of my other rust experiments.

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What happens if you change your perspective?

Change you perspective - Linda Gemain
Change you perspective – Linda Germain

Today, I started cleaning some of the 22 windows in my studio.  Wow!  Did that change my perspective.  I did not notice how really dirty they were until I had a clean one to compare with.  Even with the browns and grays of early spring my city started to look a little friendlier.

The other day I took this picture while laying on the floor.  Sitting on the floor feels free.  I feel like a kid, like I could be playing with my buddies.  I have a painter friend, Debbie Shirley,  who captures the most unique perspectives in her painting.

What do you think a new perspective could do for you?

Consider a workshop.

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Drawing that might become a thermo fax screen print

quick line drawing could become a screen for printmaking  by Linda Germain
quick line drawing could become a screen for printmaking by Linda Germain

Daffodils were one of the first things that I can remember enjoying drawing as a kid.  Recently, I friend gave me two bundles of fresh daffodils, and I am enjoying them at all stages of  bloom and decay.  Line drawings like these can be easily turned into a thermofax screen for printmaking.

Once I started doing the quick drawings, it was hard to stop.  I took a bunch of pictures from different angles and all in the warm sunlight of my new studio windows.

inspiration for line drawings by linda germain
inspiration for line drawings by linda germain

I am currently just beginning week three of Make Monotypes.  We are exploring texture and tools next week.  If you are interested in more details about this online printmaking class, then check out all the info at MakeMonotypes.com

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Just Do Something

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Are you ever stopped?  Are you slowed down by procrastination?  Do you need a creative boost? I must confess this happens to me and it can be a challenge to get going again.
These are some tiny steps that have helped me get moving again.  Please try one out if you feel stuck or stopped.

  • Break it down into a little doable task
  • Give yourself the give of a few minutes – just for you
  • Look for what you can do, rather than what you can’t do
  • See what is possible and do that

Here are three “Just Do Somethings” that could be a gift to yourself to get you going.

  1. Do a line drawing of something that is right I front of you, with whatever materials you have on hand.  No judgement just doing.
  2. Get up and walk around the block. Look up, look down. See what you usually don’t see.
  3. Lay on the ground and take 20 pictures with your camera/phone.

If you try this or have a “just do something” of your own, then please share your discoveries in the comments section of this post.

Or join me in the next session of Make Monotypes, an online printmaking course on the glycerin and gelatin plate.

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