book arts

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

The obvious parts of the book are:

• Cover
• Pages and
• Words

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

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

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.

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.

I love using books as ART materials. The book inspires and informs that art project.

Some books are loved for the covers.

Sometimes the illustrations and drawings can be used to make new collages.

I think the more I play with books and take them apart and re-form the parts, then the more ideas I get.

Children’s books are great for taking apart and using the pages, covers and words to make new art.

I find my books at the local library book sales. The books are unwanted and destined for the recycle bin, so I don’t feel bad about, cut, shredding and writing in them.

Do you have a few books that you would like to repurpose?

MAKE!

• poems
• collages
• journals,
• tools
• photos
• artist books

Let’s do it!

Check out the details of the online workshops currently being offered.

Pages can be curled and scrunched into new shapes and then photographed! FUN stuff.

Books can be more than pages, covers and spines. Sometimes I am inspired by other bits of the books.

• Old handwriting and notes on the pages
• Pockets and return cards from old library books
• Embossed words of fancy books
• Illustrations, pictures and end pages
• Book jackets

I think that it is wonderful because these parts tell different stories about the history of the book. It pulls me into someone else history and now I can respond to that old story and make a new one of my own.

I am pulled in closer to touch and feel these old parts and stories. It gives me a sense of connection.

If you would like to explore taking apart old books and using the bits and pieces to create new art of your own, check out the current online classes being offered at this time.

If you would like to check some of the ways that I have used book parts to make art then check out the Book as ART gallery here.

I am inspired by old books and want to share that with you.

I have used old books for:

• Paper for monoprints, drawings and paints
• Inspiration for poems
• Making artist books from the covers
• Collage with pages, spines and found bits
• As subject for a photo shoot and video
• To make stencils
• To make stamping tools
• To make rubbings
• To make Origami boxes

These old books were headed for the recycling bin, so no need to feel outrage at destroying and re-purposing.

I am happy to share that registration is open for the online art class, Book as ART Materials.

This is a 7 lesson class. It is designed to guide and inspire you to use old books to make new art. Check out the details on the workshop page and join us today.

Want to learn what makes a great book for making art?

Read about the qualities that I look for when I am thrifting for old books.