Book of the MonthTop pick for February:Visual Chronicles
My pick of the month for MUST READ books is "Visual Chronicles: The No-Fear Guide to Creating Art Journals, Creative Manifestos & Altered Books", by Linda Woods and Karen Dinino. I love this book so much that I don't know where to begin because everything about it is great. Visual Chronicles is a 128 page soft-cover book with full color pages throughout, and is a collaboration by sisters Woods and Dinino. Their use of childhood photos in many of the collage pieces add a very personal touch to the artwork and the overall book. I felt like I got to know the authors through the photos. Every page is filled with large, colorful artwork and is layed out in a fun artistic way that made me want to dive into each project immediately. The book is written for people who have never done art journaling before, but as a professional artist of 20 years, I found it very useful also. The authors don't talk down to the reader, but instead, joke around and invite readers to have fun, explore, and play. Not only do they make art journaling look fun and easy, (which it IS), they also give readers lots of projects to do, with step by step instructions that include photos, and finished artwork for each project. For people who think they can't write, draw, be creative, etc. the sisters push those fears aside with "Fear Buster" chapters that dispel most fears around art. And Visual Chronicles isn't limited to collage, but encompasses difference mediums, and most households will have supplies already on hand, such as glue, scissors, family photos, old magazines, colored pencils, old books, etc. The art projects are very creative and leave room for personal interpretation and individual taste, with over twenty art journaling projects to do. One of the projects that I really liked and continue to do on a regular basis is the Wish Journal. That was just one among many of the ideas that I had a blast doing, and have incorporated into my art journaling activities. Overall, Visual Chronicles is great for both beginner and seasoned artists alike; the book has tons of fun and innovative projects; is written in friendly humorus language; has beautiful artwork and design on every page; and is worth reading over and over because it ignites the creative fires. Whether you're just starting or have been art-journaling for years, you'll love this treasure trove of art and ideas. Below is a page from my "wishes journal", one of my favorite art-journaling projects from the book.
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