inspiration Archives - Page 8 of 26

Play with Printmaking

inspiration, mark making tools, tools / Linda Germain / April 7, 2021

Things can get serious. So that is why I routinely remind myself to put some play back into my printmaking.

Sometimes I get hung up on results, process or materials.

To get a lighter fresh approach I:

Try a new technique – tiny eraser stamps above
Use simple or new tool – rusted paper below
Use my ten pieces of paper idea

If you have a child or grandchild to print with that can be a great way to loosen up and play.

It takes time to really let yourself get into the play mode. Sometimes I need to make a mess and a bunch of ugly prints along the way.

Yet, in the end something new usually emerges.

I hope I have encouraged you to put some play into your printmaking today. Enjoy!

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Boundaries create Space – art approach

inspiration / Linda Germain / January 7, 2021

Boundaries give you limited choices and then you figure out how to make things work.

What would be a boundary in gelatin printmaking?

Limit your stencils to 3 – 5
Work with only 2 colors
Print 3 layers or less

So often we are so excited to play with lots of stencils and mark making tools. And as a result our prints can be confusing and chaotic.

So as the physical excitement to use all your tools at once mellows, I challenge you to create a boundary for your next printmaking session. Pick something that supports your style. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but that when the magic starts to happen.

One way to impose boundaries is to join a class, then the teacher gives you exercises and assignments.

The 100 Print Project starts soon and is structured to guide you to take many small steps to create a 100 print installation. READ the details on the printmaking workshop page.

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Ritual – end of the year

inspiration, monotype print / Linda Germain / December 27, 2020

I like to review my year in photos. I choose happy images that remind me of good times. Enjoy this 2 minute video.

Another ritual that I like to do from time to time:

Write down anything I want to let go of on a small slip of paper
Burn the troubles and paper in small jar
Give the ashes new life

Today, I wrote down everything from 2020 that I want to release and let go of.

And I had so many slips of paper that I was afraid that I would set off the smoke detectors/sprinkler system in my studio, if I burned them inside. So I headed to the beach.

The beach is a healing place for me. I walked out to Rye Ledge with my worries, some matches and a jar. The winds were light and the tide was low. And I set my 2020 worries free – up in smoke.

The final step will be to do something new with the remains. That will be for another day.

I encourage you to embrace a ritual of review, celebration and letting go! It may clear your energy for the new year.

Consider supporting your printmaking habit in 2021 – join us in the 100 Print Project, online printmaking class. Read all the details on the workshop page.

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Woods, Walk – Work

inspiration, monotype print / Linda Germain / December 15, 2020

I think as artists we are always “working.” This is because we are always seeing the world as a catalyst for creation.

Cups of tea and found botanicals informed this series of prints.

“Work” could be defined quite broadly and will different for everyone.

I found these masking stencils on my daily walks.

For me there are many steps to working:

Daily Habits – like writing morning pages
Image creation or capture – like photos and doodles
Studio play – when I start to put marks and materials together

Each step is valuable and serves a different purpose. I do think it is important to let each step have it’s own style of expression. And to remember that each step in it’s own way is part of the act of creation.

So a walk in the woods and doodling with morning coffee is an important part of the process that supports studio time.

Need help sticking to your studio practice, sometimes a class is a good place for ideas and support. Check out the current online workshops that I am offering.

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