For the last month, I've been working on a new series of mixed media collage monotypes. (That's a mouthful.) You can see all twelve on my painting wall: Each artwork is approximately 12" x 14". So...what is a mixed media collage monotype? Let me break it down for you (these are my own definitions): Mixed Media Collage: Artwork comprised of multiple glued layers, in which a wide variety of mediums are used. Collage papers are sometimes, but not always, decorated by the artist before being incorporated into the artwork. Common media choices include paint and a variety of drawing utensils.... Read more →

Six years ago I made a video about how to create simple, but gorgeous masked gelatin printed hearts. And now I'm taking that idea and creating some Valentine's Day wrapping paper! I didn't use the exact same technique (I mean, what's the fun in that?) but it is very similar. One important new skill I teach in the video is how to use a small plate for a (fairly) seamless pattern on large piece of paper. You can watch the video for the how-to: Supplies: Paper Bag Scissors Copy Paper Gelatin Plate Brayer Baren Acrylic Paint Tape Scrap Paper/Deli Paper... Read more →

You guys! #CarveDecember 2022 starts tomorrow!!!! As always, everyone is welcome to join. New stamp carvers will develop their skills quickly and experienced stamp carvers will sharpen those skills. Everyone will connect with new friends. Here's the basics: Carve a stamp. Print it. Post the print to instagram. Use the hashtag #CarveDecember. Here are the 2022 #CarveDecember prompts: If you manage to carve a stamp every day in December, great! If you just do one day, great! If you use the prompts, great! If you don't use the prompts, great! You can find a list of my favorite supplies as... Read more →

On Friday night, I taught my "Chine-Collé Live" class on Zoom and it was super fun! I started with the basics of printing with block printing ink. And then I moved on to the basics of the chine-collé process. We discussed collaging during the process vs. collaging first. And I demonstrated how to do both. Then I moved through demonstrations of different methodologies for cutting the collage paper. Then it was time to get fancier with the levels of layering. We discussed the importance of backgrounds and I demonstrated four different ideas. Finally, I shared how to do chine-collé with... Read more →

Today is Election Day in the USA. Like so many other people, today's election has been weighing heavily on my mind. I always like to work through stress with art. I find it meditative and relaxing. Over the weekend, I made two chine-collé prints with a block I carved a few years ago. I originally thought that there wasn't enough open space for chine-collé, but I was very wrong. I love how both the prints turned out. Finally, I saw this online and it really resonated with me: source I want to live in a world where LGBTQ children and... Read more →

I limped into October feeling creatively drained. #PrintInktober and my self-imposed chine-collé challenge have reinvigorated by creativity. Yay! Before I share this final round of prints, a quick reminder about what #PrintInktober is — It's the annual printmaking adventure I started in 2018. The challenge is open to everyone. Here are the basics: Create and post one print each day in October. Use the hashtag #printinktober when you post. Any stamp/block can be used – foam, silicone, rubber, hand carved, lino, whatever you want! Any ink can be used – screenprinting ink, marker ink, stamping ink, printing ink, etc. You... Read more →

We all got the flu last week (and my little guy even got the added insult of pneumonia), but #PrintInktober has remained a strong priority for me. The additional challenge I set for for myself to focus on the technique of chine-collé has been deeply creatively stimulating. There were some days that I mostly lay on the couch between bouts of cleaning up my little one's throw up, but I still made the time to create a print. It's that much fun. I've even managed to impress myself a few times and that's a great feeling! Before I share my... Read more →

I am really enjoying doing #PrintInktober this year. The additional challenge I set for for myself to focus on the technique of chine-collé has been deeply creatively stimulating. Before I share my most recent prints, a quick reminder about what #PrintInktober is — It's the annual printmaking adventure I started in 2018. The challenge is open to everyone. Here are the basics: Create and post one print each day in October. Use the hashtag #printinktober when you post. Any stamp/block can be used – foam, silicone, rubber, hand carved, lino, whatever you want! Any ink can be used – screenprinting... Read more →

September was a month of feeling really burned out. I put my all into The Artful Holiday Class and I needed a nap when it was over. I was so burned out that I seriously considered not doing #PrintInktober this year, but then I remembered what I tell so many of my students: the way to get rid of a creative block is to make art. For me, it's true. The habit of making art -- the ritual of making art -- reminds me why I looooove to make art. In case you don't know, #PrintInktober — is the annual... Read more →

In a little less than a week, #PrintInktober will begin and I hope that you will join me, once again, for the annual printmaking adventure I started 5 years ago, in 2018, based on the popular #Inktober drawing challenge. This daily challenge is FREE and open to everyone anywhere in the world. Here are the basics: Create and post one print each day in October. Use the hashtag #printinktober when you post. Any stamp/block can be used – foam, silicone, rubber, hand carved, lino, whatever you want! Any ink can be used – screenprinting ink, marker ink, stamping ink, printing... Read more →