I am taking an online screen Printing course with Linda Germain. There is a steep learning curve. I have yet to make a proper print that is all silk screened. Linda had us printing on old book pages as we began our lessons. I found myself enjoying the tinted book pages as a collage substrata. This process felt a bit like art journaling. They were quick, and raher improvisational. I used all kinds of mono-printed papers from my stash. Since collage is my primary art form, it proved a relief from the steep silk screening learning curve. I can only take so much inky mess before I'm ready to return to paper and adhesives!
This one is my favorite. The feather image was made with a wooden printing block, and others via gelli printing, along with some store bought tissue and Lakota papers.
I fell for this cheery bird stamp one day when I was at Texas rt Supply. I keep a dictionary on hand to tear up and here I selected the page with the definition of feather (in the blue circle).
I am always looking for ways to use my collection of black and white paper images. Many of them come from Dover clip art books.
This one actually contains screen printed papers, all done with latex paint on silk in embroidery hoops. I couldn't resist putting some of the shapes into this composition. The photo is not the best, just taken with my phone. Later on I will get a proper scan at Office Depot, where some months ago it made my day to learn their color copiers now scan to flash drives. My scanner is not big enough for this 12 x 12" collage. I think it has a midcentury vibe.
Screen printing involves a lot of materials -- tons of duct tape for the frames, the silk, the ink of course, as well as screen filler and drawing fluid. So I'll see how into it I get as time goes on, but for now, it is fun to play with all the methods Linda Germain shares with us. I have access to the 20 lessons for 6 months. At first I tried to keep up every week day. But life has a way of interfering with art, and I decided not to put too much pressure on myself. We also have a private Facebook page for the folks taking the course. It is fun to share images, ask questions and get support.
