Where do you collect your inspiration?

screen printing / /

Are you organized?

Do you have a system to collect images and ideas that inspire you?

journals and books of art ideas

Some places where I collect ideas and inspiration:

  • traditional sketchbooks
  • composition notebooks
  • iPod
  • handmade journals
  • index cards

I confess. I am not organized and I have inspiration all over the place. It often takes some searching to find a drawing or photo that I need. I spend time looking through real folders and computer folders.

One “system” that I am finding useful is index card doodles and drawings. I generally work small, so index card images can easily be transformed into a matrix for printmaking, whether it be a stencil, a stamp or a reference for a line drawing.

drawings for making screen prints

Doodles that I used to make a stencil for screen printing.

tyvek stencil for screen prints

Stencil for screen prints

screen printed hand towel

Screen printed hand towel

I think that there are at least 3 steps to making art:

  1. Ideas, inspiration and choosing a subject matter
  2. Learning the basic skills of your medium
  3. Finally, combining ideas and skills to create in your own voice.

It takes time and patience to get the skills and combine them with your own ideas to make the art that is uniquely you!

Give yourself time to build skills.

If you want to explore screen printing in your own home studio, then join us in this session of Pulling Screen Prints. 

In this online printmaking course, we will learn several methods of screen printing, paper stencils, drawing fluid, screen filler, experimental resists and thermofax screen printing.

Screen printing is great for projects where you want to print lots of the same image. For example:

dragonfly screen printed scarf

Fabric yardage

Christmas card - screen printed by hand linda germain
Paper stencil screen print

Cards

screen printing with thermofax screen and acrylic paint breaking the rules

Wrapping paper

screen print - peaceful

Editions of a single image

Get this FREE screen printing tutorial.

Get a FREE easy screen print tutorial
You can be screen printing today!

Join today and get notice of future classes.

You will also get weekly emails about printmaking, tips, tools and classes.

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Why take art classes?

drawings / /

I signed up for an Urban Sketching class on an impulse. I do not love to sketch, but I know that sketching feeds my printmaking. The more I like my sketches the more options I have for printmaking screens, stencils, stamps and tools.

urban sketch by linda germain

I had have had the experience of being a student who gets behind in her lessons and feels like her work is not good enough, and even wondering if this was the right class for me.

sketch at the beach linda germain

These are all great experiences for me to have. Now I have a better understanding how some of my own students may feel. It is real easy to “get behind” when the art class is simply an interest and not a priority.

tea cup drawing by linda germain

It is quite easy to quit, when it gets hard or it is it not what was expected. I had to make an effort to participate at what ever level my time would permit.

tiny sketches by linda germain

Reasons to take an art class:

  1. To learn a new skill or improve your existing skills
  2. To have some fun
  3. To be inspired by other artists
  4. To get an influx of new ideas or energy
  5. To surprise yourself with you artistic ability

sketch by linda germain

I bet you can think of even more reasons to take an art class. So check out your local art association, community college, art center or one of the many online options and take an art class to support your creative expression.

If you are interested in taking an online printmaking workshop, then check out the current class schedule.

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3 ways to get out of an ART slump!

inspiration / /

I think making art is like a roller coaster ride. I have great ups and downs.

Here are 3 three ways to get yourself out of an art slump.

old book covers to make artist books

  1. Call an art friend and tell her you are in a funk.
    • Sometimes is helps to just get the words out of you.
    • I think it releases the burden and opens you up to moving on.
    • Pick the right friend.
    • If you just want to be heard and validated, don’t call someone who always tries to fix your or one ups you with trouble.
    • Then play with art materials for 20 minutes.
    • See what happens.See shapes and lines to make better prints
  2. Do a 10 sheet challenge. 
    • This gets you making stuff fast.
    • Get 10 pieces of paper.
    • Any kind of paper will do. It might depend on your medium, paint, ink, wax, thread whatever you usually working.
    • Gather just 3 or 4 tools and start printing, playing, painting, collaging, sewing, again whatever you do.
    • Make marks on all 10 pieces at once.
    • Move back and forth between the pieces.
    • NO JUDGMENT – just doing.
    • Claim as much time as you can for this challenge.
    • Tack up you pieces – walk away.
    • Later come back and admire.
    • If you feel better = success.
    • If you have 1 or 2 that you like = success. Gelatin plate prints by linda germain
  3. Try something new. This one is fun! But know yourself. Are you always buys new tools and never using them?
    • If yes to the new tools – then use one.
    • Test out and play with a tool that you bought but have not tried.
    • Get an art book from the library and do one of the exercises
    • Maybe look for a class or workshop that you could take right away
    • The key is to pick something new and jump in and do it for fun!

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Love your Library – Free ART lessons

drawings / /

I love my Haverhill Public Library – free books, free AC on hot days and just loads of resources.

Jason Asselin Mural at Haverhill Public Library

Jason Asselin Mural at Haverhill Public Library

I always check the library first when I hear about a book that I just have to read. And usually I can get it from the library first and find out if I should buy it.

Danny Gregory Books at the Haverhill Library

For example, I am exploring Urban Sketching and was able to get all of these books to inspire my learning. I love it because I can quickly leaf through the pages and get an instant feeling for whether or not the author’s teaching style it a match for my learning style.

I was particularly inspired by ART before Breakfast by Danny Gregory, and One Drawing A Day by Veronica Lawlor.

I used the books to learn to see shapes and try to learn to capture the energy of people on the street in basic shapes. I also used long distance photos to simplify the shapes, as a learning tool.

people sketch

I am pleased with my progress.

urban sketch by linda germain

I noticed how shadows anchor and give weight to the figure.

urban sketching by linda germain

Using photos that are quite a distance away simplifies the challenging shapes.

Go to your local library and get inspired.

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School Supplies – Art supplies

tools / /

I love back to school supply sales.

I love buying note books, markers, glue and gadgets for art making.

school supplies for art making

Here are some of the school supplies that I stock up on at this time of year and what I use them for:

  1. Composition  notebooks – daily journalling
  2. Erasers of all sizes – carving into small relief blocks
  3. Page protectors – storing stencils and surface for drying stencils with wet glue
  4. Plastic binder folders – stencils to use for screen printing
  5. Pencil head erasers – stamping circle and soft erasing
  6. Copy paper – practice prints, newsprint pickups, and sketching
  7. Big glue sticks – collage and piecing together prints
  8. Crayola Markers – quick color sketches
  9. Sticky notes – tiny sketches, to do lists and labels for sorting prints
  10. Index cards – printing on, idea sorting, sketching
  11. Push pins – piercing sewing holes in handmade books, hanging work to be admired.
  12. Little scissors – cutting little things
  13. Bull Clips – hanging art work and inspiration, holding pages together while making books
  14. Pencil sharpeners – for nice sharp points
  15. Manilla file folders – making stencils, organizing stencils and prints.

If it is back to school sale time where you live, you might want to get some good deals on some “art” supplies.

Looking for a bit of ART SCHOOL?

Join us in an online class – check out the current offerings.

 

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