Diana Trout's blog

My Favorite Art Supplies: Gelli Arts Printing

Today I kick off a series of My Favorite Art Supplies with Gelli Arts. They are offering free shipping for the holidays. Lou Ann and Joan are the best. I love their products and they've introduce monoprinting to so many of us.  

I had a student (Tony, you know who you are) and we were trouble-shooting ways to lengthen the open time of the paints. That led me to GelliArts website (coupon code "DianaT"/10% off). 

The Cardmaking Kit is perfect. This kit comes boxed in a permanent storage container with a 5" square Gelli Plate, 6 folded cards (5.25" sq when folded), several sheets of tissue type paper (deli wrap). a brayer, 3 GelliArts paints (red, yellow, blue), sequin waste, a fluff of fiber and bubble wrap. Perfect for experimenting.

I made several papers using items from the kit (I added  black paint). The video is below and there's a bunch of info in there for trouble shooting possible problems with printing.

After allowing the prints to dry, and they did take a little bit of time (yeah!), I pulled out a couple of die cuts and had some fun creating a mixed media holiday card. 

Such fun to play. Check out the video below or here on YouTube. I have loads of links if you watch it on YouTube. 

Here are the deals with Gelli Arts

Save 20% on Gelli Arts paints by using the promo code SAVEONPAINT17 

Save 10% by using my coupon code DTrout (I get a commission too).

Free shipping through the holidays at Gelli Arts! Yeah :)

Here are some additional affiliate links ( get a commission) for your convenience. Remember that Dick Blick now has free shipping for orders over $35! 

Book Reviews: Print, Stamp and Paper Stencils

I love a good book, don't you? Here is another batch of books  scroll down for video - none are new but all have passed my stringent test for permanent shelf space. They've held up over time and passing fads. 

I love Traci Bunker's Print and Stamp Lab. It's so accessible that I've done it with kids and teen classes at the library where creative budgeting is the name of the game. (All of these books are linked below the video.) You can get started making stamps as soon as you buy the book with items you already have in the house. Here's an in-process journal page. I'm using gasket printed tissue paper from blog follower and friend, Jenny Pesavento. I love that tissue paper disappears when you glue it down.(Thanks Jenny :)

Print Workshop by Christine Schmidt is a great source of basic hand printing techniques. Silkscreen, stencil printing, potato printing, cyanotypes and more. It's a great project based orientation to printmaking. Solid. And I love that she demos how to make your own stamp pads. Worth the price of admission right there. 

This next book, The Art of Decorative Paper Stencils is only loosely connected. It's not about cutting stencils. Do you remember folding paper and cutting snowflakes when you were a kid? That's what this is about. (The price as of 2/10/17 is $.01 ).

You can use freezer paper to cut these out and then use them as stencils. They don't last very long but that's ok. It's really a fun and relaxing project-based book. This is definitely the kind of thing that's good when you aren't feeling your most creative but still need to use your hands.

Finally, I'm introducing the book Notan because I'll be doing a video the dark/light concept of composition soon. It's a fantastic book for designers and artists and I have a couple of fun projects that go with the book.

Affiliate Links to Amazon (I get a % of sale. No cost to you).

Print and Stamp Lab; Traci Bunkers http://amzn.to/2lvvLB7
Print Workshop, Christine Schmidt http://amzn.to/2lvE5Rp
Notan, Dorr Bothwell http://amzn.to/2loL69A
The Art of Decorative Paper Stencils, Yaguchi Kamako http://amzn.to/2loTNRt

This Week Today

I started writing this on Monday, 3/15 and have been at it all week.

A bit of sunshine for your Friday morning ... 

Monday mornings begin on Sunday night for me as I sprawl on the sofa with my planner. 

On Monday, I pretty much ignored what I'd written in my planner and did a Live Stream on stamping in a little book instead.

In my studio, I have a big basket and box project folders for YouTube videos and I keep doing things off the cuff instead. Here is a look at the flip book I was working on.

Tuesday: My planner says "Watercolor." Also: "Work on Mixed Media Watercolor class."

Here's some of the painting I started. (at the top of this post: I love the idea of the flowers glowing yellow around the bulb part and the sunlight dancing along the tops. Sorry about the uneven lighting.)

The red coming down from the flower needs more definition. 

I will go back into the right hand flower and lift paint out for the stamen "legs." I love that brown from mixing green and red. 

Tuesday Night: Aunt Betz called from the hospital: Pneumonia. Wednesday was devoted to helping her get settled, talking to her doc and the nurses and distributing chocolate bunnies to all involved.

The rest of the week is up for grabs. I'm heading to the studio to work on some watercolors again and maybe get started on another flip book. Mixed Media Watercolor class is underway. This happend

After being inspired by the Gelli Arts folks here, I folded a bunch of mark-making tools for the Gelli Prints video coming soon.  Today is the son's birthday so this is underway

Who knew there was a thing called Hipster Animals? Honestly! Google it. They are hilarious. I caved and purchased the set from Hero Arts after watching Kristina Werner make a card with it here. I think they need bodies but they could also be trophy heads. 

Have a great weekend, everyone. I'm looking forward to my stamp carving class tomorrow. Off now to visit my auntie. Here are some of the materials and tools I used this week (affiliate links used).

 

 

Learn to Print: Four Books to Create Personal Imagery

March is National Craft Month and I have some fun crafts to explore with you. Printmaking and Stamp Carving are both arts and craft. I've chosen four of my favorite books to share with you. (I wanted to also share Traci Bunkers book, Print and Stamp Lab, but it is MIA. I'll review it separately. *Scroll down for video*

Carve, Stamp Play by Julie Fei Fan Balzer is my go to stamp carving book. It's loaded with inspiration that has a broad appeal and Julie's instruction is clear and concise. That, paired with excellent photography makes this an excellent resource.  I have another video coming soon with more information on Julie's book

Geninne D. Zlatkis' Making an Impression is a visual feast for the stamp carving enthusiast. The information is clear and the photography is very inspiring. It has less technical information than Julie's and more applications and project ideas. 

On to printmaking. 

Print Workshop by Christine Schmidt is a fresh take on standard printmaking techniques such as relief printing, stenciling, veggie printing and water slide decals. All of these (and more) techniques are applied to projects perfect for DIY'ers. 

Printmaking Unleashed by Traci Bautista is a wild ride with some very original ways to print: clay stamps, subtractive printmaking, acrylic skins. So much fun and so many things from around the house. 

Here is my video review. Next week, I'll go into more detail with Julie's books and general supplies for stamp carving. Have a great weekend! 

Carving Stamps; Studio Class

It's time to get carving! Saturday, May 3, 10:30-1:30, in my home studio in Glenside, PA we'll be carving up some stamps.

Draw inspiration from your favorite things: leaves, flowers, patterns, whatever floats your boat. We’ll do a bit of brainstorming and doodling and then begin to carve up some stamps. 

You’ll go home with 2 or more hand carved stamps and ideas to keep you carving for months. You can join via Meetup, here (you'll need a free account). 

Light refreshments will be served. $55.00

More Gelli Prints

I am rolling with the Gelli Artz gelatin printing plate and water soluble oil paints. The paints are heavy body (Golden Open) and have an extended dry time which make them perfect for this. I used a variety of papers including printing paper, heavy vellum and inexpensive cardstock.

I used a stencil that was hanging around doin' nothing. Not sure where this one came from. Was it a chunk of something else? And a handcarved stamp - a stone flower.

Sumi-e papers printed and made into papercloth.

and what next? I have the deadline coming up for MamaCITA's Miss Representation (more here if you are in the Philly area): choose a woman I admire and make some art honoring her. EEEEK! Too many choices. Eva Hesse? Emily Dickenson? Helen Frankenthaler? Rachel Carson? Right now, it's looking like Rachel Carson. I've been endulging myself by reading poems, looking at Eva and Heln Art and learning more about Rachel (who is currently at the top of my list). 

Who is your favorite woman? Top three? Top ten? Nice journal prompt. Happy weekend. We are on a snow watch here.

What's Doin'

Scurrying around today in between a Monday/Tuesday trip to Maryland and a Thursday-? trip to take care of my auntie. 

I managed to make a couple of prints using my new Gelli Artz plate and Golden Open Acrylics. Amazing. Making prints is thrilling for me. I minored in printmaking in art school so this was really REALLY exciting. The cleanest monoprints I've made without a press ever. I am using washi paper and the plan is to turn that into papercloth and do the stitching on it. 

I think I need a bigger plate. 

In the straight up fabric and stitch, there is more inspiration than there will ever be time to complete ...

The violet and golden in the upper portion of this picture is making me drool ... sun and mountains.

I am off to pack my bag full of stitching while I take over the nursing. Eeegads. I'm a dreadful nurse but my sis, who actually IS  a nurse has been there and will train me to take over. I'll bet we do fine! Wish me luck.