Texture, textiles and monoprinting

Do you like texture and textiles?

Is there something that moves you in close to a fabric and makes you want to touch it? Try to identify whose qualities that move you.

Recycled fabric ready for monotprinting with the gelatin plate by linda germain

That is how I feel about mixed media art and printmaking. I love layered textures that make me want to get closer to the artwork.

hand stitched gelatin printed fabric by linda germain

When I see textured objects I often wonder can I use that for printmaking? And often the answer is YES.

Especially when printing with the gelatin plate. The gelatin plate is soft and malleable. This allows for the creation and transfer of delicate marks with mere hand pressure.

Monoprinted fabric used to cover an artist book Linda Germain

It is quite exciting to make beautiful marks and patterns with your own hands.

Whether you like to:

  • collect fabric
  • makes stuff with fabric or
  • create unique fabric

you are probably inspired by texture and pattern.

monoprinted book cover

I challenge you to notice what it is that inspires you and collect 5 bits of inspiration that you could use to inspire your next work of art.

The key is to collect a bit of inspiration and then turn that inspiration into action.

Move beyond the collection stage.

In the book cover above I used the following for inspiration and action:

  1. Potato masher to lift off and apply ink
  2. Tiny flat grasses
  3. Recycled sheet to print on
  4. Embroidery thread
  5. Stash of gelatin printed fabrics

If you think that you would like to explore gelatin printmaking on fabric, then read the details about the upcoming online printmaking class, Monoprinting Fabric.

 

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Deconstruct some books – make new art

Books as ART Materials starts this Friday. You still have time to collect some old books and join us.

 

This is a 5 lesson online art class. We will use all the parts of the book to make art tools and new art.

  • Black out poems
  • Collages
  • New journals
  • Accordion book
  • Tape binding book
  • Rubbings
  • Stamping tools
  • Stencils
  • Abstract photos

shaped book as photography

I am so excited about the new lesson that I am adding, books as photos. Got questions – check out the workshop page and join us today.

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Collecting unwanted books – to repurpose

I have been doing some research to see how easy or hard it is to get old unwanted books. So far it has been pretty easy. One tip is to give your friends a few days to gather their unwanted books.

BOOKS for repurposing

I asked a couple of friends and got 2 bags of books. It is interesting to get all types of books from kids, to self-help and how to and all types of fiction.

I got some:

  • hard covered books
  • lots of paperbacks
  • some kids books with larger fonts
  • young children board books
  • color illustrated books

Reuse unwanted books to make new art

These are different than the kinds of books that I would choose at a library book sale, but they still have the potential to inspire some new art making activities.

old books from library book sale

Each type of book has a different quality that makes it interesting for making art.

  • Children’s board books are great for covers and accordion books
  • Young readers books have larger print and are nice for collaged poems
  • Paper back books might be good for folding and curling project

If you are inspired and want to repurpose some old books, then join us in the online art class Book as Art Materials. Read the details and sign up today. Class starts February 16th.

Children's board books are good for covers

This is a tiny pocket sized board book. I cut off 2 sections. Sanded the pages and covered them with some monotype prints.

Recycle book into a tiny journal

Join us in the next class Books as ART Materials.

tiny journal made from board book

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Book parts to inspire ART making

Books can be more than pages, covers and spines. Sometimes I am inspired by other bits of the books.

more interesting book parts for art making

  • Old handwriting and notes on the pages
  • Pockets and return cards from old library books
  • Embossed words of fancy books
  • Illustrations, pictures and end pages
  • Book jackets

recycle old books into art

I think that it is wonderful because these parts tell different stories about the history of the book. It pulls me into someone else history and now I can respond to that old story and make a new one of my own.

I am pulled in closer to touch and feel these old parts and stories. It gives me a sense of connection.

If you would like to explore taking apart old books and using the bits and pieces to create new art of your own, check out the current online classes being offered at this time.

inspiring end pages and illustrations

If you would like to check some of the ways that I have used book parts to make art then check out the Book as ART gallery here.

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Books as ART Materials is open for Registration

I am inspired by old books and want to share that with you.

old books make great art materials

I have used old books for:

  • Paper for monoprints, drawings and paints
  • Inspiration for poems
  • Making artist books from the covers
  • Collage with pages, spines and found bits
  • As subject for a photo shoot and video
  • To make stencils
  • To make stamping tools
  • To make rubbings
  • To make Origami boxes

Use old books as art materials

These old books were headed for the recycling bin, so no need to feel outrage at destroying and re-purposing.

I am happy to share that registration is open for the online art class, Book as ART Materials.

This is a 7 lesson class. It is designed to guide and inspire you to use old books to make new art. Check out the details on the workshop page and join us today.

pages of old books as printing surfaces

Want to learn what makes a great book for making art?

Read about the qualities that I look for when I am thrifting for old books.

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