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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.