collage

What will you nourish in 2022?

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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Making for the mind

I have been playing with drawing and collage lately. I can do these activities while I watch a funny show or listen to upbeat music.

sketchbook habits and ideas

Printmaking is a bit more physical and takes more focus.

delicate gelatin plate monotype print by linda germain

Am I tired? Hmmm? Am I looking for a more relaxing making activity?

collage and drawing ideas for sketchbook practice

I am not sure. I don’t think this was a conscious decision. But in the process I have embraced some processes that are relaxing and fun. And I think that these new practices are developing my seeing and design skills.

soft cover coptic stitch book

For more art making habits check out this post on Ways to motivate. Enjoy!

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Use your paper scraps

I trim a lot of paper and usually have a lot of scraps of the same size.

I use these paper trimmings to make:

  • small books
  • cards
  • to do list papers

use paper trimmings for small art works

My everyday print paper is Pacon heavyweight drawing paper, 90lb. I like to buy the ream 12″ x 18″.  Then I can cut some common sizes that are easy to frame.

Most recently I have been making a daily collage with odd scraps in the recycle bin. I pull out 5 pieces of paper and give myself 15 minutes to make a collage.

quick collage Linda germain

15 minute scraps collage

One time I used the trimmed paper from a book project to make a long skinny book for foam relief prints. So don’t throw those paper trimmings away.

drum leaf book of relief prints

I use a lot of little “To Do” lists. So I added some stamped marks to the bottom of some waste paper and made my lists a little more fun!

relief print to do list

So what do you think you could do with your paper scraps and trimmings? I hope I have stimulated your thoughts and you make some fun stuff!

 

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Failure informs

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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Found Poems

I am getting ready for the Books as ART Materials class and having fun making found poems.

found poems

Books are mostly words and pages, so I like to find ways to use those elements in new art work.

found poem by linda germain

I like to:

  • Cut words and phrases out of several different books, with different font sizes
  • Then rearrange the words into a 4  line poem
  • Some poems I really love
  • And some are just part of the process of making

collaged poem

I also use old book pages at scrap to catch excess glue from the glue stick.

collage poem by linda germain

Give this meditative poem making a try! 

If you want to explore more ways to use old books, then join us in Books As ART Materials, the online class. Read the details here.

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