Typewriter to the task – mixed media

mixed media printmaking / /

add typing to your prints by linda germainI found an old typewriter at the local Salvation Army Store a few months back.  It was $6.00 I think.  I got a new ribbon for it and played with it for  a day or two, but did not do much more.

Today I put an index card in the carriage and started typing off the top of my head.  I was just creating a background of text for my gelatin print.  I was putting myself, my thoughts out there with the idea of getting them out and covering them up with marks and ink.

One cool thing with a typewriter, is if I make mistakes there is no spell check, no correction.  I just leave the mistake there and move on.  I kind of like that idea.  Does everything need to be perfect?  Fixed?  Maybe not.

I am feeling a bit nervous about the ICAD challenge ending.  I am very pleased that I stuck to the daily commitment of producing and sharing an index card a day.

Today’s gelatin print is:gelatin print with typewriter text by linda germain

  • on an index card of course
  • With typewriter text
  • used a female figure stencil that I cut out
  • speedball inks

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Happy Printing!

 

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Just Let Go – in life and printing

monotype print / /

gelatin print of a woman with raised arms by linda germainToday there is something in the air.  I checked the pollen reports and it is not high, but my eyes and sinuses are sore. My body aches and I just want to sleep.  hmmm?  Enough whining.

I have this gelatin plate print for the ICAD today.  I used

  • index card
  • speedball inks
  • hand cut stencil
  • I used the stencil to transfer the black ink to the paper.  See the 3 tips video over here

I have added some cards to my Etsy shop.  Check them out here.

 

Happy Printing!

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What do you do to achieve your goals?

combined techniques / /

Cat and Moon Gelatin print by linda germainAppointments, networks and making headway.  I found that by having a commitment to another person really helps me to move forward with my goals.

Have you ever come across Marketing Mondays by Joanne Mattera?  She has 4 years of marketing advise for artists.  Check it out you may find something to jumpstart your week.

Today, I went to the Business Before Breakfast meeting with the Haverhill Chamber of commerce and hosted by the Wicked Big Cafe.  We had a great crowd, delicious food and hot coffee.

What do you do to achieve your goals?

What is the one thing that tips the scales in your favor?

My ICAD gelatin monotype print is –

  • on an index card
  • speedball inks
  • using the gelatin , glycerin, alcohol and water gelatin plate
  • with colored pencil and charcoal scribbles

I am not a cat person but I do like this little gelatin print.  I am adding new art work to my Etsy shop today.

Go over to my shop and follow it to see what is new.

Happy Printing!  Go and make your mark today.

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Why Keep it Simple?

monotype print / /

simple gelatin print by linda germainSimple sometimes works.  This ICAD gelatin print is just one stencil and a bit of magenta and blue ink.

Chaos or Simplicity?

Everything is moving so fast,  so much to do and see and be.  Don’t you just feel your body relax when you see a clean organize monochromatic space on pinterest or in a blog post.

I do.  I move back and forth between chaos and simplicity.  If you saw my studio right now you would seriously wonder if simplicity was possible.

If you keep things simple:

  • decisions are easier
  • choices are clearer
  • thoughts are less frantic
  • the body can rest

When you look through your pile of gelatin prints which ones are you drawn too?  Are they the simpler ones or the chaotic prints?

When you choose colors do you have 2 or 3 go to colors or do you use every single one in every print?

There are no wrong or right answers.  There is just observation and information that you can use to enhance your printmaking process.

Happy Printing!

 

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Experimenting with Inks, paints and types of gelatin plates

2010 / /

gelatin plate print with Daniel Smith inks and a gelli plate by linda germainI am in the studio listening to country music and trying to understand the difference between all the types of gelatin plates and how they interact with different paints and inks.

“Gelatin” Plates that I have:

Inks/Paints I am using:

  • Speedball water based inks
  • Daniel Smith water-soluble inks
  • Golden Open Acrylics

My gelatin and water printing plate was very old and on its last leg so I had to toss it and now I am waiting for a new one to harden in the refrigerator.

I will have to do a video of this comparison experiment some time soon.  All that I can say at this point is that

  • with each variant, you will have a different type of impression/monotype print.
  • weather is a factor for most the material plates and inks/paints
  • I will probably never have a definitive answer, so
  • It will come down to using what I have available at the time and
  • the desired type of impression that I am hoping to create.

I will always love the quality and richness of the Daniel Smith Inks, but I am sensitive to the oil in them.  The print above was made with the Daniel Smith water-soluble inks and the gelli plate.

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Happy Printing!

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