Inkblot
My mother saved the inkblot book I made when I was five years old, and presented it to me when I told her that I was writing an inkblot book. Then, in high school, my art teacher, Ardis Macaulay, showed me how to draw into inkblots. I have made inkblots since then—for thirty years—for inspiration, for comfort, for meditation, to generate artwork and ideas for artwork. My paintings and woodcuts include a lot of creatures, and sometimes they are derived from a creature that appeared at first in an inkblot. Later, when I started to write more, I used inkblots as a springboard for writing—to describe what I saw in an inkblot, what kind of creatures, if they were interacting, what they might say to one another.
Age 5
Who is your intended audience for this book, kids, parents, teachers?
The best combination of students I ever had in an inkblot class, was a small class that included three mothers and their teenage kids. It was not in the class description, it was just coincidental (I think I told the organizers that the class was appropriate for ages 13 and up). But the fact that all the different ages of people were at the same level—making and interacting with their inkblots, joking around with each other, seeing what the others saw and made—it was magical. So, while the focus of the book is kids—I think it would be cool if they did some inkblots with the adults in their lives.
How often do you find yourself using the inkblot strategy to get a creativity spurt?
I make inkblots at least once a week. Sometimes I make a short stack of small ones to take with me on the subway to draw into, sometimes I make several big round ones. Recently, I have been making 20 x 20 inch squares that I pour dirty (painty) water on, dab off, drip ink onto, put on the floor and drip water into that—then let dry, and use those as surfaces to draw into—planet-like things. The jellyfish-looking thing in this planet picture is also a small inkblot that I collaged onto the paper.
Jellyfish Planet
What is your favorite inkblot method and why?
I love the elegance and simplicity of the single-fold inkblot—the kind we know from Rorschach fame—drip ink and water, fold in half, unfold. I think they are gorgeous. And I love that, despite the seemingly random mark-making process, that the inkblots look like their maker made them—each is as distinct as each inkblot artist.
Round
My blog is focused towards Young Adults, do you have any further advice or info you'd like to add?
Not counting the ones I made when I was five years old, I have been making inkblots in earnest for thirty years! If someone had told me when I was a teenager that I would be making them for that long, I would assume they had lost their marbles. I learned a lot of art-making techniques over the years, but the one that has stuck, that I keep coming back to, is the one I learned when I was your age.
Keep an open mind, try lots of things in your art-making and life, make things, and don’t be bound by other people’s ideas of what art is, or what good drawing is. Most of what makes good art is the ability to see and assess what is in front of you.
Book's Website http://www.theinkblotbook.com/
Author's Website http://www.margaretpeot.com/
And Thank you Margaret for taking the time to answer my questions!
I hope you enjoyed reading the interview and found the art work as beautiful as I did. I have to say my favorite is Jellyfish Planet. Do you see yourself practicing this type of artwork to boost creativity? The book is available now for purchase. Inkblot
Thanks to the publisher, I have one copy of INKBLOT to giveaway to one random lucky commenter on this post, US and Canadian mailing addresses only please. Just leave your email in the comment (Giveaway closes on March 25th at Noon) (NOW CLOSED)
Congratulations to Kelly! (Butterflyboo)
I have sent you an email!
Today I had the pleasure of asking Margaret Peot about her book :
Who was your major influence with your love for inkblots, your parents or a teacher?My mother saved the inkblot book I made when I was five years old, and presented it to me when I told her that I was writing an inkblot book. Then, in high school, my art teacher, Ardis Macaulay, showed me how to draw into inkblots. I have made inkblots since then—for thirty years—for inspiration, for comfort, for meditation, to generate artwork and ideas for artwork. My paintings and woodcuts include a lot of creatures, and sometimes they are derived from a creature that appeared at first in an inkblot. Later, when I started to write more, I used inkblots as a springboard for writing—to describe what I saw in an inkblot, what kind of creatures, if they were interacting, what they might say to one another.
Age 5Who is your intended audience for this book, kids, parents, teachers?
The best combination of students I ever had in an inkblot class, was a small class that included three mothers and their teenage kids. It was not in the class description, it was just coincidental (I think I told the organizers that the class was appropriate for ages 13 and up). But the fact that all the different ages of people were at the same level—making and interacting with their inkblots, joking around with each other, seeing what the others saw and made—it was magical. So, while the focus of the book is kids—I think it would be cool if they did some inkblots with the adults in their lives.
How often do you find yourself using the inkblot strategy to get a creativity spurt?
I make inkblots at least once a week. Sometimes I make a short stack of small ones to take with me on the subway to draw into, sometimes I make several big round ones. Recently, I have been making 20 x 20 inch squares that I pour dirty (painty) water on, dab off, drip ink onto, put on the floor and drip water into that—then let dry, and use those as surfaces to draw into—planet-like things. The jellyfish-looking thing in this planet picture is also a small inkblot that I collaged onto the paper.
Jellyfish PlanetWhat is your favorite inkblot method and why?
I love the elegance and simplicity of the single-fold inkblot—the kind we know from Rorschach fame—drip ink and water, fold in half, unfold. I think they are gorgeous. And I love that, despite the seemingly random mark-making process, that the inkblots look like their maker made them—each is as distinct as each inkblot artist.
RoundMy blog is focused towards Young Adults, do you have any further advice or info you'd like to add?
Not counting the ones I made when I was five years old, I have been making inkblots in earnest for thirty years! If someone had told me when I was a teenager that I would be making them for that long, I would assume they had lost their marbles. I learned a lot of art-making techniques over the years, but the one that has stuck, that I keep coming back to, is the one I learned when I was your age.
Keep an open mind, try lots of things in your art-making and life, make things, and don’t be bound by other people’s ideas of what art is, or what good drawing is. Most of what makes good art is the ability to see and assess what is in front of you.
Book's Website http://www.theinkblotbook.com/
Author's Website http://www.margaretpeot.com/
And Thank you Margaret for taking the time to answer my questions!
I hope you enjoyed reading the interview and found the art work as beautiful as I did. I have to say my favorite is Jellyfish Planet. Do you see yourself practicing this type of artwork to boost creativity? The book is available now for purchase. Inkblot
Thanks to the publisher, I have one copy of INKBLOT to giveaway to one random lucky commenter on this post, US and Canadian mailing addresses only please. Just leave your email in the comment (Giveaway closes on March 25th at Noon) (NOW CLOSED)
Congratulations to Kelly! (Butterflyboo)
I have sent you an email!
This book looks really interesting, I love the Jellyfish planet! I have never thought of doing inkblots as an actual form of artwork
ReplyDeleteI have a young daughter, I think maybe this could help her with her concentration, Worth a try, looks fun
ReplyDeleteWow, this looks so cool!
ReplyDeleteThat Is Very Neat!
ReplyDeletebraaaaaaiiiins@gmail.com I'd love to win a copy!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great book, and a fun activity! Thanks for the invite, and the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteyma367@hotmail.com
Being an ex-psychology major, I have to say this sounds very interesting. I've never myself done inkblots before, but they've always been fascinated by their uses. It sounds not only like a great activity, but a great way to get in touch with yourself. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteKelly
butterflyboo123(at)hotmail(dot)com
this looks like an awesome books
ReplyDeleteplankton736@gmail.com
I'd really enjoy this book a lot! I'm in an art class and this would really help! My art teacher would love if I also brought this in one day! Thank you for a chance for this book!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like so much fun! I'd love to try it with my nephew who loves doodling, scribbling and generally coloring outside the lines...great little artist.
ReplyDeleteCheers!