Some of the recent finds I came across during my last run to the bookstore provide ample inspiration for artists and other creatives who want to explore a variety of media, learn new techniques, or hone skills of their trade. All contain something of value for newbies as well as more experienced artists.
In Shona Cole's The Artistic Mother: A Practical Guide for Fitting Creativity into Your Life she shares here experiences on how to balance the artistic life with the demands of daily life. She also covers a variety of techniques used in mixed media as well as the tools needed in the process. Her book is available through Amazon; you can also find additional information about her on her blog:
http://shonastudio.blogspot.com
A String of Expression: Techniques for Transforming Art and Life into Jewelry by June Roman is a great guide jewelry artists as well as those who keep artistic journals. Ms. Roman has a remarkable way of blending the creative process -- from art journal pages into jewelry art. Her book melds process, technique and the spiritual aspect of art and creativity. Read more about her and her work on her blog, The Rambling of an Outside Artist:
http://www.ramblingsofanoutsideartist.blogspot.com.
Vintage Collage Journals: Journaling with Antique Ephemera by Maryjo Koch provides guidance on how to use personal treasures and memorabilia to jumpstart your creativity as well as create unique mixed-media artist journals. Koch also provides tangible examples of different types of journal projects that all can try out for inspiration and self-exploration. You can find out more about her techniques, as well as how to incorporate them into your medium, on her Website:
http://www.kochstudios.com/Maryjo/mk_home.html.
Happy Reading!
Rabihah
