Mixed-Media Collage: An Exploration of Contemporary Artists, Methods, and Materials

After a quick introduction to collage and collage tools, the book is divided into two sections.Section one features in-depth profiles of five artists. Each artist is interviewed and interesting questions are asked about their creative process, their inspiration and why they choose to use the materials that they do. Multiple pieces of their artwork are shown. One project is featured with stepped-out directions and photos so you can learn their technique.The five artists profiled and directions for their project are:1. Laurinda Bedingfield: 3D collage book sculpture with photographs2. Barbara DePirro: using acrylic gel medium to create the look of encaustic3. Paula Grasdal: printmaking and collage4. Sharon McCartney: mixed-media multi-paneled wall hanging5. Teesha Moore: mixed-media journal pageSection two is a gallery of two pieces of artwork from 20 different contemporary mixed-media artists. The information includes brief technique explanation, inspiration, and a list of supplies used.The strengths of this book are that there is a great variety of type of artwork represented. This is not a book of fads and trends. It was clear to me that each artist is following their own voice and making their own unique kind of art that they enjoy working with. For this reason I treasure the book, because there are other publications on the market which seem to display the `trend of the season'. This book is fresh and unique. Just seeing different types of artwork and seeing these artists using their own inner voices to guide their art (even if I personally didn't love the look of all of it) made me want to go and make some art.The book closes with some essays on the topic of the artist on the Internet. Directions on how to do photo transfers and how to do encaustic collage are provided.The book has a products resource guide, a vendor listing and a directory of all the artists featured in the book.The paper in the book is high quality glossy paper. The layout is very nice and the photographs are in full-color. This was very nicely put together.I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in mixed-media collage. If you love to read about what inspires artists and about people's creative process you will really enjoy this book.On a more personal note...My personal take-away from this book is a feeling of freedom of expression and a desire to go make my own personal style of art. In the past I have felt uncomfortable when I was creating art that was not the current trend, especially after reading certain books or a certain art magazine. Also while doing mail art swaps I have been criticized for making art that is not the hot fad of the day, for using different colors or materials than some people were. I personally don't plan to copy the work of these artists even though there are stepped out directions for five projects. What each of us takes away from a book is unique and that is alright.I also really enjoy reading about what inspires artists and what their creative process is like. I smiled when I read that one artist creates while sitting on her living room floor with images all around her. I prefer more talk of the creative process and inspiration rather than the books that only feature the finished art piece yet leave me wondering, "What was the artist thinking, why did they make that?".

Great Book

Generously illustrated with examples from current work, showcasing several artists in particular. Too bad it had a huge exacto-knife slash across the front that went several pages deep.

This book is not just a collection of pictures of interesting projects, but each artist includes what inspired them, materials used and tips on creating similar works. You can get ideas from each artist to use in your own work or just enjoy getting in to the head of the artist. There are lots of different styles, techniques and ideas and they are all well illustrated with great photography. This is one book I'll be sure to keep around.

I love looking at the collages in this book esp. the Zetti collages. I find myself looking at this book almost weekly to enjoy the artwork in it.

THIS IS THE USUAL COLLAGE BOOK. NOT TOO EXCITING. BUT A NICE READ.

Great book.

Chock-full of inspiration!

Beautifully inspiring for any Art Teachers & Art students

Bought as a gift for my husband he was very pleased found it was very helpful

I loved this book is full of ideas from lots of different contempary artists.Its written in an easy and totally accesssble styleI particularly liked the "in the studio with...." section very informative

Just started Art class again and the first task was to create a collage so came in really useful, full of hints and tips

Das Buch lässt mich mit gemischten Gefühlen zurück.Es sind einige gute und technisch anspruchsvolle Arbeiten darin, aber auch ein paar sehr langweilige auf Anfängerniveau.Es gibt Anleitungen zum Nacharbeiten, die aber für Anfänger wahrscheinlich zu ungenau sind.Kurz: Kann man Kaufen, muß man aber nicht haben.