art all along

a gelli plate and an art supply list

   One of my favorite things about art books, art tools, workshops and similar is the supply list. I appreciate knowing what supplies artists are using, how they are using them and why.

The art supplies/tools that may accompany the gelli plate are endless, and though my preferences will be flighty and fickle I want to share the what and why of my favorite supplies... as of today.

After pages and pages of monoprints peeled from the gelli plate I'm preferring a palette knife, golden open acrylics, stamps and mulberry paper or translucent vellum.

palette knife - My favorite tool for applying paint to the plate is a palette knife. It makes a happy companion to the brayer. I like the knife's shape and flexibility. I'm using a few different knives and being careful to not ding the gelli with the metal edges.

golden open acrylics - I've only used golden open acrylics with the gelli plate. Doesn't qualify as a preference, I know. Brilliant, translucent colors spread in the thinnest layers with the palette knife–stunning.

stamps - A stack of new stamps carved just for the gelli plate has left a crumbly mess in my studio-area. I'm partial to the three circles stamp that resembles a favorite mouse. 

surface - My favorite prints are on unbleached mulberry paper or vellum. Both surfaces seem to take the best advantage of the thin layers of colors. The prints glow.

and a dash of serendipity - When I print on vellum or tracing paper the surface doesn't make a complete, smooth contact with the gelli plate. The result is brights spots that didn't meet the paint. I love the serendipitous starry effect.

Using rubber cement in my journal was little dash of 'duh!'. When no other adhesive will work without wrinkling, curling or shrinking the tracing paper or vellum, read the paper cement can sitting right in front of you.

And now that I've finished explaining myself I'm feeling ready to try something new. Do you have a favorite brush, paint or tool to apply paint or leave a mark on your gelli plate? Please share. What's on your supply list?

monoprinting madness

Went a bit mad with the Gelli Arts gel printing plate. SO MUCH FUN!

It all started with the Art of Gelli Prints how-to video from Donna Downey. Many thanks to Donna for a fun video packed with information and inspiration!

I was eager to give monoprinting a try and besides, any excuse for new art supplies.

I gathered supplies recommended by Donna and Gelli Arts. Other supplies crawled out of my own stash to join the party.

My favorite twist on the art supply list was unbleached mulberry paper from Speedball. When the mulberry ran out I used some parchment-y paper. I was loving the glow.

By the time I ran out of clothespins the glow was dimmed by overlapping pages. I found the light again to take photos of my favorites.

So many pretty pages. Not exactly sure what I'll do with them but I'll think of something soon and make room for more.

my colorful chaos

I found a cute little unfinished wooden tray at Hobby Lobby. The tray looked like it could help wrangle the chaos of art supplies that pile up around me while I'm scribbling in my journals. Apparently, I currently own no other container that would do the job. I needed the tray.

The tray turned out great with some happy colors sprayed, smeared, dripped, splattered, brushed and scraped.

When the paint was mostly dry I promptly filled the tray with the awaiting clutter. Unfortunately all that colorful chaos covers up the pretty.

I don't mind. I like knowing it's there while the tray is being useful.

And finally, isn't it nice how I can easily clear away some clutter, make space for new inspiration and the next blank page? Functional and fabulous!

Only thing is... I might need a bigger tray.