altered books Archives - Linda Germain

Tiny house collage with book pages

I wanted to share a quick little collage project that I did with the margins of old book pages. This is a fun thing to make when you are stopped and don’t know where to begin.

Materials needed:

Book pages with various shades of white and yellow
Glue and scissors
Colored paper or book cloth
Pencil, pen or markers

I am sure you have most of these supplies in your studio. Watch the video and build a village!

If you would like to explore more ways to use books in your art practice, then check out the online course, Books as ART Materials. Class starts soon.

Tiny house collage with book pages Read More »

Enjoy the hunt

altered books, collage, tools / Linda Germain / June 9, 2023

I recently realized that, I enjoy the hunt when making mixed media pieces. It is the process of sorting through papers and materials to find a pleasing combination that is most fun.

I like to use old books as art materials. And going to a library book sale is a treat. I like the last day when I can fill a bag with books for a few dollars. If you want to find a book sale near you check out this website. These are books that are headed to the recycle bin, so no reason to feel guilty.

I love gently taking the spine apart and revealing the materials that make up the spine of the book. These treasures make unique collage materials.

Every book is different and has something special to offer. Some books are good for black out poems.

It is fun to hunt for words that when combined give new meaning to the page. Recently, I realized that it matters to me what the book is about. Even though I am not reading the books and using them for their intended purpose the words matter. I want words to peek through and to draw the view in.

Another hunting expedition that I enjoy is finding mark making tools. I love to find a tool that I can dip into ink or paint and make patterned paper or delicate inked marks. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.

Making a collage is a lot of hunting and deciding what to keep and what to let go.

Ask yourself:

Do you hunt for materials and ideas in your art process?
Do you enjoy the hunt?

Consider joining me in Books as ART Materials, a mixed media online class. Read all the details on the workshop page.

Enjoy the hunt Read More »

Abundance and texture – Books as ART Materials

altered books, artist book, book arts, collage, combined techniques / Linda Germain / March 7, 2022

I wanted to share with you why I love using books as ART Materials.

Old books are:

tactile
intimate
abundant and
often nearly free

The pages can be the foundation for printing, painting collage and origami.

But the parts that I love the most are:

the stuff that makes up the spine
the book cloth and
the book board

One old book can be the stimulus for many projects. If you thinks this sounds interesting, then gather some old, unwanted books and join us in the online class, Books as ART Materials. Get all the details and register on the workshop page.

Abundance and texture – Books as ART Materials Read More »

Slow down and do some meditative making

altered books, artist book, book arts / Linda Germain / February 24, 2022

Lately, I have been doing black out poems, and folding cranes and boxes from book pages.

I noticed how meditative the process can be. I don’t need a lot of space or tools, and I can do the process almost anywhere.

I even combined the two, a black out page and then folded it into a tiny box. I ran a thread through several cranes and now have them floating above my work table. The folded crane is a symbol of success and good fortune, in the Japanese culture. I think everyone could use a little of that!

I encourage you to try out one of these meditative practices. FREE origami box tutorial here.

If you find you like working with book pages and parts, then join us in the online class, Books as Art Materials. Read all the details on the workshop page.

It is fun to hunt for old books and then take it apart to make new works of art. I think I love the hunt and deconstruction even more than the new making.

This is from the lesson, book as photo subject. Then I used the photo to cover a handmade book.

Slow down and do some meditative making Read More »

Deconstructing a book – discovery process

altered books, artist book, book arts, collage, combined techniques / Linda Germain / February 21, 2022

I am getting ready for the Book as ART Materials class, and realizing how much I enjoy the deconstruction and discovery process of take an old book apart.

And I suggest that for this process it is okay to judge a book by its cover.

When using books as art materials, I think the older books have more surprises to offer. And they are a lot easier to take apart.

The magical parts are in the spine and the covers. The spine often has glue, mesh and other supportive materials that are great for collage.

Pages can be used for so many applications. Basically you can use them for any project that calls for paper:

origami
printmaking
painting
collage and more

I encourage you to find an old but not precious book and dissect it! Then see what you can make with the parts. And join us in the online class, Books as ART Materials. Read the details on the workshop page.

Deconstructing a book – discovery process Read More »