artist book

Zoom call doodles – good habit

altered books, artist book, mark making / /

It might not be what your boss suggests, but doodling during meetings and phone calls might be good for your for your visual art practice.

phone doodles

I recently did the doodle above during an hour long call.

I was suprised by all the different patterns I was able to create with simple lines dots and circles.

pen doodles

I think this mediative practice:

  • is easy to do with minimal supplies
  • suspends judgement – quiets your critical voice
  • can create some pleasing results to feed your art practice

For those reasons, I have added a daily meditative mark making prompt to the Mixed Media Retreat, the online class. Details on the workshop page.

playful drawing

I think meditative marks can:

  • be a source for stamp and tool making
  • be a way to learn to draw more shapes
  • be just plain fun and relaxing

Hope to see you in class.

sketchbooks in process

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Mark up your sketchbook

artist book, book arts, fabric prints / /

I recently made a sketchbook with some monoprinted book cloth.

sketchbook with hand made book cloth

I used a sewn tab binding. It is pretty sturdy. And it is small enough to take to the woods.

sketchbook by linda germain

But first I am going to:

  • scribble with pencil
  • add relief stamp paptterns
  • glue in some flower prints
  • doodle with marker

make marks in sketchbook

You may think what would be left for sketching? And you maybe right. A lot of the pages will be marked up with information.

collage in your sketchbook

But it is my book. And what I have come to understand is that in my books the linear drawing may not be the star. So if the book is filled with words or printed marks, then that is okay.

I offer you this challenge to use your sketchbook in ways that support your art practice and to let go of any limiting ideas of what your sketchbook should be. I think you will experience more joy.

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Spring time – Good for rusting paper

artist book, mixed media printmaking, rust prints / /

You may call me crazy. But I like to collect rusted bits of debris found on the side of the road.

Rusted papers in art journal

Spring in New England, is a good time to find bits of rusted metal on the side of the road. And things are even pre-flatted. 🙂

collect rusted metal from city streets

I have a rusted cookie sheet and a collection of flat rusted things. Once or twice a year I like to rust up some paper or fabric.

rust paper

It is easy to do, but yields unpredictable results.

  1. Get your rusty things wet
  2. Wet your paper
  3. Stack the rusty stuff on your paper
  4. Get the most contact possible. I like to put some weight on top
  5. You can spritz with vinegar/water mix
  6. Don’t cover. You need air to oxidize the metal.
  7. Wait over night (that is the hard part)

rust printing paper

Then you have some paper wit wonderfully aged patina. I have used it for:

Give it a try!

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Failure informs

artist book, collage, inspiration, mixed media printmaking, monotype print / /

Every time things don’t work out as I had hoped, it is an opportunity for me to learn something.

mixed media sketchbook linda germain

I could learn:

  • I don’t really like that technique
  • I need more instructions
  • I could use some practice
  • Am I using the right tools?
  • Maybe I need more time
  • Is it possible with the way that I am approaching it?

Accordion book with gelatin prints

I could ask those kinds of questions about almost any situation in life, art, business, family or well being.

collage poem by linda germain

And I think for me it is easier to fail, and asks those questions in the art area of my life. For some reason, I have let it be a process of discovery that includes lots of learning through “failing.”

make lots of gelatin prints

I have said it before, but if I get two out of 10 prints that I love, then I consider that a success. And it usually takes learning something from those other 8 prints to get those prints that I love.

So it is important that I enjoy the process and not just the end result.

sketchbooks by Linda Germain

I have been doing stuff in sketchbooks lately. And I realized I wanted the end result faster, I wanted to finish the sketchbook. Hmmm? This was not me loving the process.

I tried different approaches:

  • Made smaller books
  • Tried different book forms
  • Carried it with me
  • Allowed myself to write, doodle, collage, paint, print, what ever

I have not found my happy sketchbook practice yet, but I am learning a lot in the process.

make gelatin prints into books Linda Germain

If you would like some guidance and support in Simplifying your gelatin prints, then join us in the online workshop –SIMPLIFY- make powerful gelatin prints. Get all the details on the workshop page.

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Scraps collage – so much fun!

altered books, artist book, book arts / /

One way to get your creative juices flowing and quiet the inner critic is to work on several small pieces at once.

scraps collage linda germain

Another way to keep the creativity flowing to to layer and respond with minimal marks.

layered collage linda germain

I did these scraps collages with bits and pieces of book pages and part in my online class, Books as ART Materials.

tiny collage of book parts

I approach the project with an attitude of playful discovery. I work up about 12 4″ square pieces in layers.

paper collage by linda germain

Sometimes a get a few striking collages. But I am always developing my design and composition skills.

12 tiny collages with book parts

Give it a try at the end of the day, gather the bits of waste from your work bench, add scribbles, text or coffee stains and see what happens.

If you would like to explore using Books as ART Materials, then join us in the upcoming class. Read all the details on the workshop page.

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