The Unforeseen Consequences of Skill

One of the first art supplies I bought during the Covid lockdown was a gelli plate. I saw one being used on Instagram and was transfixed. Back then, I hadn’t started a collage practice but was trying out every mixed media supply I could get my hands on. I think the gelli plate led me to collage because I had to do something with all the papers I was creating. (And if you aren’t familiar with the Gelli plate, it’s a commercial product that lets you create prints without a press).

Because there were a lot of papers. I watched endless videos about the many, many ways to create patterns and texture and all the different materials that the Gelli plate could handle. One plate became two, became three (and don’t get me started on the number of brayers I’ve collected). The art materials kept coming and so did the ideas. The next thing I knew, I was creating collages with the prints, but learning how to collage led me to take more classes and learn about different materials (BOOKS!!), and that led to more art supplies and even more ideas.

And now I’m a full-time artist. And I’m about to become a teacher again.

In September, I’ll be teaching an in-person class at the South County Art Association in Kingston, Rhode Island. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision to approach the gallery with a class idea, which was quickly accepted. How different can it be to teach adults instead of middle school students? (Honestly, I’m sure it’s totally different, but I’m trying not to think too much about that.)

My class will be on creating letterpress printed papers and abstracted typography gelli prints for collage. That seems like a lot for four two-hour classes, but at least I know there won’t be any empty time during the classes. The question now is whether enough people will register for the class so that it will run.

If this class goes well, I’m thinking of creating an online version, but that will require yet another skill set! I wonder if there are any artists who just make art without taking on the marketing, teaching, blogging, newsletters, social media, and small business management that’s become part of my creative life.

The more skills I learn, the more I do and the more I have to learn. It’s a very good thing that I’ve always liked school because being an artist is another way to be a life-long learner.