book arts

Qualities of Books – as ART Materials

artist book, book arts, collage / /

I wanted to share the qualities that I look for in books to be used as ART Materials.

When I use books as ART Materials I use:

  • Cover cloth – collage and journals
  • Book board – new books
  • Pages and text – poems and printmaking
  • Spine materials and bits – collage
  • pockets and old marks – collage

So if you are hunting and gathering books for re-use look at those parts closely.

book as materials

It is fun to see books with new eyes for what is possible. Sometimes I just use pages as newsprint pickups when gelatin printing.

newsprint pick up

But then other times the bits and pieces can be worked into an abstract landscape collage.

abstract landscape collage

I hope I have given you some new ways to look at old books that were headed for the recycling bin. Want to join us in the online class, Books as at Materials? Read the details and join us today.

 

 

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Books transport you

altered books, artist book, book arts / /

Do you get deep into a book and feel transported to another time or space? Do books make you laugh, cry and feel?

Recycled books for art making

Books give me:

  • hope
  • new ideas and
  • guidance

book pages to make art

When I am using books as art material books can:

  • connect me to an unknown past
  • make me want to touch and discover
  • give me a place to begin

cut up books to make art

Working with book pages, covers and parts is a tactile process. It can be a bit sculptural. I love combining cloth, threads, words, pages and glue to create a new conversation.

collage book parts to make mixed media art

I hope that the new abstract piece creates:

  • wonder
  • joy or
  • curiosity

Join me in the upcoming class, Books as Art Materials. Class starts soon. READ the details on the workshop page.

book pages and patterns

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12 collages at once

book arts, collage / /

Thinking sometimes gets in the way of making. The fear of getting it wrong or making mistakes can stop us in our tracks.

small collages with book pages

I know that when I am just laying down marks and materials, and not analyzing too much, that is when the magic happens.

tiny paper collage

So in preparation for the online class, Books as ART Materials, I have been playing with paper and cloth scraps.

12 collage at once

Torn scraps are fun to use because they often already have and interesting shape. This way I am responding to the existing materials and not really needing to create something new.

It is also a fun way to start or end a day of making art.

If this sounds interesting to you, then join us in the online class, Books as ART Materials. Class starts soon. Read the details on the workshop page.

expressive collage by linda germain

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Fun with book pages

book arts / /

You can use book pages for almost any paper project. I think the half hidden text can create interest and draw the viewer in closer to your art work.

gelatin prints on book pages

I often will white wash a stack of old book pages and then gelatin print on them. It creates a freedom, because the paper is not so precious. I white wash with the same ink or paint that I am printing with.

While brainstorming for the upcoming class, Books as ART Materials, I played with book pages for paper mache bowls. It was more challenging than I thought it would be, but fun to explore.

book pages paper mache bowls

I love making little origami boxes with book and magazine pages. It is always a surprise to see how it all folds together. I have quick tutorial here on making origami boxes.

origami boxes with book pages

You could do any origami project with pages. I have folded a few cranes. Choose a thin yet sturdy page for these folded projects.

paper crane from book page

When I start to take a book apart, I love finding pages with different qualities:

  • faded sepia tones
  • scribbles and notes
  • transparent leaves
  • bold or big type
  • blank pages

faded book pages as collage materials

I collect several papers with different qualities and begin a project, like the collage above.

  • How could you use book pages in your work?
  • Would it create freedom to play with paper?
  • Would it give you a way to begin?

If you would like some help using Books as ART Materials, the join us. READ the details on the workshop page. Class starts soon.

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Take Books Apart – Play

book arts / /

There’s more to a book than you might think.

book spines for art making

The obvious parts of the book are:

  • Cover
  • Pages and
  • Words

book as photo subject

If you go a little deeper, you will find:

  • Book cloth
  • Decorative end pages
  • Illustrations
  • Lending and ownership notes
  • Marks of use and wear
  • Spine, mull, glue, headband and mull
  • Book board
  • Maybe even a dust jacket

Use old books as art materials

I love to take old books apart and use those parts to make new pieces of art. That might include:

  • Black out poems
  • Artist journals and
  • Collaged pieces

art made with old books

You want to use books that are older and no longer loved. These types of books usually are recycled as paper products. This website is a good resource for book sales: https://www.booksalefinder.com

Often on the last day of a library book sale you can get a big bag of old books for a few dollars. Hunting for these old treasures is part of the fun. On this page I go into more depth about the qualities I look for in old books as art materials.

unbound book - collage of materials

If you would like to explore using Books as ART Materials, then read the details on the workshop page and join us today. Class starts soon.

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