book arts

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.

It is easy to get stopped in the judgment and analysis of a mixed media piece.

I love the rich layers of mixed media work. I often work without knowing what the end product will look like. That approach does give me a bit of freedom.

Trust the Process

One way to move beyond the critical voice is to remember that you have successfully trusted the process before. I also do not expect every print to be something that I like. I use an 80/20 rule. If 20% of my prints are pleasing to me, then that is success for me.

Set yourself up for Success

Some ways that I build in successful prints:

• Work with limited stencils and colors
• Work in a standard frameable size
• Work 10 or more sheets of paper at once
• Pin up the prints in process and step back and admire
• Give them a day or 2 and come back for another look

Sometimes taking a class or working with other artists can help you gain confidence, skills and a new way to look at your work.

If you like to use old books as part of your art making process and you want to be inspired and supported by like minded artists, then join us in the online art class, Books as Art Materials.

Books can be used as a printing and collaging surface for mixed media projects.

Would you dare to shred an old book? What about photographing books?

Books as ART Materials – online art class

I love using books as art materials.

• You can usually find them free or quite inexpensive
• They have a rich patina and history
• Paper, text and texture!

I know some folks are horrified by the idea of ripping up a book. The books that I use are destined for the recycling bin. I go to library book sales at the tail end of the sale and usually get a bag of old books for a few dollars.

I am happy and the library is happy too. Win, win!

A few of the types of books that I like to use are:

• dictionaries
• Little Golden Books for children
• A music book
• a foreign language book
• a couple of paperback books
• any old and yellowed paged books

Today I printed some photos that I took of a scrunched and rolled paperback book. I think that I gave this dictionary new life, that is living on my studio wall.

If you would like to explore using books as art materials, then check out the details on the workshop page. Start collecting old books and you will be ready for class, when it starts.

Do you have something in your life that is easy for you to do? Something that is natural? Some activity where you are not afraid of failing because you know that you will come out the other side?

Learn from that! Transfer that confidence into a new activity. Be Brave.

I think we all have safe, creative, things that we do confidently. It could be any thing:

• an art making technique
• cooking skill
• athletic activity
• work based skill
• family responsibility

Think about it!

I know you have something in your life, where you are confident enough to “fail.”

For me it is gelatin printmaking. I am confident enough to play, fail and know that I will eventually succeed.

I teach with this type of philosophy. Failure and ugly art generally is necessary and leads to more beautiful creations. If you would like to embrace this style of learning then join me in the current workshop Book as ART Material.

• We will cut up old books and make new tools, books and collages.
• Embrace the page, spine, cover and text of the book.
• Move through the fear of the book being too precious
• Create new art that is meaningful to you

SaveSave

Many old books end up in land fills or get recycled for paper pulp. This should ease your mind and give you the confidence to tear, cut, glue and reshape old books into new art making tools and art pieces.

Books are precious and powerful, but I think repurposing old unwanted books gives it new life and new power. I like to work with the parts of the book:

• Covers
• End pages
• Page blocks
• Spines

These parts can be cut apart and reassembled to make a new book with a rich patina and history. Sometimes you can find wonderful marks, notes, and history from prior readers.

If you have a pile of old books and you are brave enough to make something new with the old parts, then join us in the online workshop, Books as ART Materials. Click here to read the details on the workshop page.

In the class we will:

• Take books apart
• Use pages and parts to make stencils and stamping tools
• Build new book forms