What do you do when you are not in the mood?

Today things were not falling in place, I was waiting for ink to dry and I was struggling.  At that point I just wanted to leave and take a nap.  But Sunday is one of my free days to be in the Studio.  So I 

1. Went online and checked out Secret Sunday's @ the Altered Page
2. I changed gears and started playing with some ATC's
3. Cut out some new stencils and covered them with a few coats of medium
4. Ate lunch
5. Had a tea or two
6. Cleaned some brushes and brayers
7. Took some studio pictures

So I manged to find somethings to do and was pleased with progress.  I think the trick was to move beyond the project that had me stopped and let it go for another day.

What format works best?

Today I have been experimenting with how to finish some prints.  I have mounted some mixed media prints on to square boxes.  I found a long narrow frame and I cropped an combined a couple of prints but then did not like how the image looked in the frame.  So I tacked a few ATC sized image in to the long frame.  I like how they look in the frame.  It feels good to be getting closer to a finished format.  http://www.linda-germain.com/

Spring Gelatin Printing Classes @ Essex Art Center

Linda Germain will be teaching two gelatin printmaking classes @ Essex Art Center this spring.  She is offering a 6 week class that meets on wednesday nights and a one day intro that will be on a sunday afternoon.  Check out the schedule and register with maria@essexartcenter.com Or you can call Maria @ 978-685-2343

Meeting Deadlines

This week I am completing some projects and meeting deadlines.  I am sending in my application to Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Deer Isle Maine.  I am also completing a proposal for a solo show in 2011 @ LynnArts.  It feels good to set these goals and meet them.  I go through times of wanting to quit or give up, but I have stuck with it this time.  Enjoy! http://www.linda-germain.com/

Helpful secrets - shared on the Altered Page

Today is secret sunday at the the Altered Page.  I found 2  very helpful secrets there.  One about building a light box and the other about fotoflexer.  check the 11 weeks of secrets I am sure you will find something interesting. 

Taking it easy

In the studio playing with prints and books.  Taking it easy.

More bird prints on the Gelatin plate today

Well I found some time to make a few more bird prints on the gelatin plate. I did get a few good ones too.  I used copy paper for my stencil and just put a light coat of mat medium on both sides.  And I am treating it very gently.  Enjoy! http://www.linda-germain.com/

Fun Bird Prints

I made a new stencil today and came up with a few prints that I like.  It is always nice when things work out.  I have to stop over thinking things because of course the ones where I let go and just experiemented came out better.

 

Book Sale Finds

Saturday the Haverhill Public Library had their seasonal book sale.  I found 2 heaping bags of books for playing with .  I got a bunch of board books for the kids class and a stack of old young reader books for me.

ATC's today

I have had a fun art weekend.  Yesterday I went to the Mixed Media opening at LynnARTS and meet the juror, Joanne Mattera and mixed media artist Christine Obrien and saw Paula Estey and Luba Shapiro-Grenader.  It is a challenge for me to mingle, but I did it. Today  I am off to Needhan to trade ATC's with the New England ATC group.  Fun, Fun Fun.

Cropping Prints

I have been going through piles of prints and cropping them down to postcard size.  It is fun to see them all together.  It begins to put myself as an artist into perspective.  I start to see patterns in the way that I create.  That is giving me a sense of confidence. Enjoy!

A Moody Altered Book

My artists way group has a challenge this week to make a piece about moods.  So I combined my 2.5 hour altered book challenge and the moods challenge and made a moody book.  Funny the dictionary defines moods as mostly negative and that is how I think of moods as bad.  Oh well.   I went for a walk to day and collected some rusted things, and a long strip of caution tape.  It is hard to resist such finds.  We live in such abundance!! Enjoy.