collage

Try something new or different

collage, drawings, inspiration, mark making, mixed media printmaking / /

I have been making painted pages and collages lately. It is a bit new and different for me.

mixed media collage

Experimenting with a new technique or material can breathe new life into your art making practice. It might be a great way to stimulate ideas for your next series or project.

collaged houses

Or you could find a way to integrate new skills into your traditional practice.

gelatin print on painted book page

Are you inspired by images that you see online? Ask yourself what is the quality that you admire and then see if there is a way to bring that quality into your work.

It could be:

  • the subject matter
  • the shape, color or simplicity or
  • the medium or format

I encourage you today play with something new or different and then notice if it stimulates something in your practice.

An art class is one way to try something new, check out the current workshops and see if any are a good fit for you.

mixed media collage

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Tear, sew, burn and bind

book arts, collage, combined techniques, mark making, mixed media printmaking / /

Do you have a pile of paper or prints that you are willing to transform with:

  • tearing into collage shapes
  • sew with or without thread
  • burn or smoke stain and
  • bind or fold into books?

collage on children's board book

If so, then you might enjoy the Mixed Media Retreat, and online class starting soon.

Tear, burn and stitch mixed media art

The class is designed to introduce ideas and techniques into your practice that will transform your papers and prints into books and mixed media prints.

collage with gelatin prints

Each lesson includes:

  1. A simple mark making prompt
  2. A textural layering technique
  3. A book form for reshaping prints and papers
  4. An artist talk to stimulate the mind.

You can get more details and register on the workshop page.

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Abundance and texture – Books as ART Materials

altered books, artist book, book arts, collage, combined techniques / /

I wanted to share with you why I love using books as ART Materials.

Old books are:

  • tactile
  • intimate
  • abundant and
  • often nearly free

Books for making art collages

The pages can be the foundation for printing, painting collage and origami.

collage of book pages

But the parts that I love the most are:

  • the stuff that makes up the spine
  • the book cloth and
  • the book board

book as textural elements for collage

One old book can be the stimulus for many projects. If you thinks this sounds interesting, then gather some old, unwanted books and join us in the online class, Books as ART Materials.  Get all the details and register on the workshop page.

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Deconstructing a book – discovery process

altered books, artist book, book arts, collage, combined techniques / /

I am getting ready for the Book as ART Materials class, and realizing how much I enjoy the deconstruction and discovery process of take an old book apart.

deconstruct books to use as art materials

And I suggest that for this process it is okay to judge a book by its cover.

collect old books to alter

When using books as art materials, I think the older books have more surprises to offer. And they are a lot easier to take apart.

The magical parts are in the spine and the covers. The spine often has glue, mesh and other supportive materials that are great for collage.

book parts collage

Pages can be used for so many applications. Basically you can use them for any project that calls for paper:

  • origami
  • printmaking
  • painting
  • collage and more

I encourage you to find an old but not precious book and dissect it! Then see what you can make with the parts. And join us in the online class, Books as ART Materials. Read the details on the workshop page.

art projects using book parts

 

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What will you nourish in 2022?

collage, drawings, inspiration / /

Some folks pick an inspirational word at the beginning of the new year. I have never really done it before, but for some reason the word nourish is in my head these past few days.

nourish yourself

Nourish has a warm comforting feeling.

If you look it up in the dictionary, you will find it means:

  • to nurture, to rear
  • to promote the growth of
  • to furnish or sustain with nutriment
  • to feed, maintain or support

Whether we realize it or not we are most likely nourishing something. It might be kids, or health or our art practice.

sketchbook linda germain

I am encouraged to look more closely at what I am doing to nourish my body, mind and soul. Nourish seems to be compassionate, caring and wise.

be nourished by nature

Three ways I am planning to nourish my life:

  1. Eat more whole clean food and listen to the feedback from my body.
  2. Gently let go of stuff in my car, home and studio, so my space is comfort.
  3. Give myself more time each day to play at making marks.

The caring and supportive sense I get from the word nourish makes me feel excited to “feed” myself and grow healthier and happier with these activities. I don’t feel burdened by these “goals.”

I encourage you to try on the idea of nourishing yourself. What small change could you make to feel stronger, safer, or more nurtured?

Maybe join us in Creating Habits, the online class that explores a bit of drawing, collage and sketchbooking. Class starts January 7, 2022. Read all the details on the workshop page.

sketchbooks linda germain

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