inspiration

Print with wonderful weeds

inspiration, mark making tools, tools / /

Today as I enjoyed the one of the last sunny days at the beach, I also gathered some fall weeds for some upcoming projects.

be inspried by the beach

I found some thin, detailed twigs and branches that I hope to use in a clay project.

twigs for printmaking

If I were printing with weeds and grasses on the gelatin plate, then I would look for very strong and very flat varieties of weeds.

So depending on the printmaking process that you are using will determine what kind of weeds will work for you.
I use strong and moderate thickness to create foam relief plates. These kind of weeds need to be strong and thick enough to make an impression in the plate.

soft relief plate for printmaking

So I hope you are encouraged to see the value in roadside weeds for your printmaking practice.

weeds for printmaking without a press

This thick mess of weeds is too complex for using with the gelatin plate, but it is going to be great for one time use in making an impression in clay.
Happy hunting!

Get support from an online class. Check out the current offerings on the printmaking workshop page.

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Check out your local art scene

Haverhill, inspiration / /

I was recently encouraged to gather inspiration from local art options. I offer the idea to you. It is usually a quick and easy way to fuel your art practice.

art fuel your local center

You can search for:

  • Regional art associations
  • Art centers – that offer classes and more
  • Galleries and art exhibit venues like libraries
  • College galleries and continuing education classes

Then pick one to visit or join in for an activity. See who you meet and how you can be inspired.

cogswell art space

I recently helped with a clean up day for a local art center that is in the process of opening. Cogswell Art space is an old school that is becoming a new space for the arts in Haverhill. They are having a housewarming event October 19th and 20th.

I will be there on the 20th from 10 to 11AM doing a FREE gelatin printmaking demo.hand print cards with the gelatin plate

So the challenge for you is to look locally and see if you can find:

  • inspiration
  • support
  • other artists to create with.

Happy trails!

Get support from an online class. Check out the current offerings on the printmaking workshop page.

 

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Be inspired by your own work

inspiration / /

As I sort through stuff in my studio, I have been pleasantly surprised by some of my older prints and drawings.

watercolor painting of dog

I was reminded of:

  • ways that I fearlessly used tools
  • how I explored and exhausted a subject matter
  • to try it and see what happens
  • use non-traditional papers
  • made lots of prints get a few that I loved

mixed media screen print of fish

I found these gelatin prints and was reminded to work with an attitude of play and discovery.

horse print by linda germain

Here I freely scribbled with pastels to unify and complete this little gelatin plate monotype print. I am looking forward to add some scribble and play back into my daily practice.

gelatin print with sewing

Here I was reminder to get my sewing machine out, pull out the thread and make some perforated prints. I love the texture and surprise that thew sewn mark makes on paper.

blank face portrait

Here I thought about how much I like to simplify and make a few bold marks. And to even let the imperfection show through.

gelatin monotype with typed text

This gelatin plate monotype print was made on a stream of conscious style typed paper. Tells me to start playing with my old typewriter again.

I hope this encourages you to look through some of your older work with a sense of discovery.

Maybe you will how much your style has:

  • stayed the same
  • changed or developed.

Hopefully what you do find will make you smile.

Get support from an online class. Check out the current offerings on the printmaking workshop page.

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Try something New

inspiration / /

If you are looking to breathe new life into your art practice, try a completely new skill. I just started a clay class at my local art center and my mind is buzzing with new ideas.
Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

The ways that this class is feeding my printmaking practice:

  • Getting me excited about making
  • Thinking about patterns, textures and surface design
  • Making me embrace the beginners mind
  • Helping me to form goals about what I want to learn and accomplish

And this is just after one class!

trace monoprint with watercolor

So if you want a creative boost step out of your usual and get a class in a new medium. You could:

For me it is important to be able to start the class/learn as soon as I can. Happy making!

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Studio Space to support you

inspiration / /

Whether you have a big space or a tiny table I think we can arrange tools, supplies and artwork to encourage creative creation.

Big studio space - linda germain

I have moved my studio 3 times in the last 5 years, from a shared space to a huge factory loft, to a small apartment and back to the shared space.

computer space in the art studio

Each space has advantages and disadvantages. I am happy to be back in a shared space – nice to have other people around.

They all needed:

  • Accessible storage for supplies
  • Computer and printer space
  • Active design and display ares
  • Storage for tools not in use

It is a big benefit to have a “slop” sink and floors that are not precious.

slop sink great to have in art studio

The things that I have found most useful for organizing:

  1. Plastic boxes that can be stacked and made into table with an old door on top
  2. Cardboard boxes that are labeled and that fit on my shelvesboxes labeled with art supplies
  3. Filing folders are great for small printsfile folders for small print storage
  4. Plastic salad containers – stack and nest suppliesrecycled containers for art supplies storage
  5. Jars and cups for pens and brushes and stuffcups for storing art pens
  6. Suitcases with wheels for fabric, frames and more
  7. Tacks and binder clips for displaying prints in progresstacks and clips to display art in progress
  8. Bed boosters to make workbench a better height
  9. Lots of shelves
  10. Cube shelves for easy access to papers
  11. Big sheets of foam core to make a temporary tablefoam core table to hold prints
  12. Ironing board – an adjustable table
  13. Clothes lines for prints and fabricmonoprinted fabric squares by linda germain
  14. Big standing bags for storage that is accessible – rags, threads
  15. Comfortable chair or couch for breaks
  16. Hooks, nails for rulers, tools and brushes hooks and nails to hang art supplies

I would call my space controlled chaos. I go from comfortable working space to overwhelming mess and back to comfort. It helps to let go of tools and papers and prints that I don’t use or love.

I have come to realize that there will always be more and by letting go, I am making open space for something new.

Be inspired by other’s studios on my Pinterest board.

Enjoy!

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