Collagraphy is a printmaking technique that involves creating a collaged plate from various materials and then using it to make prints. Here is the basic how-to: Gather materials: Start by collecting materials for your collagraph plate. You can use a variety of items such as cardboard, textured papers, fabric scraps, string, leaves, or any other materials that have interesting textures or patterns. Choose a base: Select a sturdy base material for your collagraph plate. A thick piece of cardboard or mat board works well. Make sure it is large enough to accommodate the size of print you want to create.... Read more →

I made a stencil. It didn't work. And so I fixed it! So much of success in art is perseverance, I think. I hope this video will motivate you to keep pushing through, even when you don't like the results. It’s a reminder that failure isn't the end, but just a step on the way to success. And here's a peek at some gorgeous prints using my fabulous new stencil and mask: I'm thinking that I might cut out some smaller versions of this design to use as well. Lots of possibilities! PS: As I mentioned in the video, Maker... Read more →

I'm starting a new weekly series that I hope to continue throughout 2023: Studio Visits! These are very short (2-5 minute) videos about something I'm working on in the studio. They will be random, fun, mostly informative, and hopefully something you'll enjoy. Without any further ado, here is the first one -- it's all about gelatin printing on garbage paper. PS: If you love the stencil in the video... ...it's this month's SVG file for Maker & Super Learner Members. Here's the print I liked the best: Although I made a few that aren't in the video and this grungy... Read more →

Have you heard of Sketchbook Revival? It's a FREE online workshop with more than twenty-five FREE sketchbook classes and I'm delighted to be one of the teachers this year! In my class "Custom Color Collage Grid," I'm demonstrating some simple gelatin printing and then showing you how to use a grid design to create a gorgeous monochromatic collage in your sketchbook, like these ones: In case you don't know, gelatin printing is a form of relief printing that I am obsessed with! You use a gelatin plate to transfer layers of paint onto paper or fabric and create a monotype.... Read more →

This year, for my 100 Day Project, I have chosen to work on my stash of Art Parts. (If you're not familiar with the 100 Day Project, it's a simple challenge: commit to creating something for 100 days, and see where it takes you.) I chose Art Parts and stated my case as to why in this short video: And now, here's days 1-11: The biggest takeaway I have from the first eleven days is: I have already embraced the Art Parts methodology and doing this 100 Day Project pretty much just involves photographing or videotaping myself doing it. It's... Read more →

Yesterday's Book Club was super fun, as always! We discussed Modern Block Printing by Rowan Sivyer. You can listen to my Adventures in Arting podcast interview with Rowan from 2020, HERE. And if you didn't get a chance to catch Book Club live, here's the replay: Here is the stamp I carved during Book Club: If you're interested in learning more about printmaking, I hope you'll consider coming to Printmakers Party in June. You can find all of my in-person classes HERE. And all of my online stamp carving classes HERE. The March-April Book Clubs are going to be a... Read more →

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 →