"We are all facing choices that define us. No choice, however messy, is without importance in the overall picture of our lives. We all at our ...
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reviews
Nov 20, 2008
Katrina
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i think i would have really loved this book ten years ago. a lot of the content really rings true of those awkward, formative years when you are finally on your own and not really sure what to think of yourself. but i found myself wishing that it wasn't so repetitive, and i also would have liked to see more original musings and thoughts vs. the quoting of other works, but hey, it works for her. again, ten years ago, i probably would have been completely enamored and inspired.
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Jun 16, 2008
mathilda_craft
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Sabrina is therapy for the heart.
This book is chuck/chalk full of emotion. So truthful. So much meaning and deep feeling. Sabrina is an inspiration for all girls and women of all ages. To remember what it is like to be young, to be insecure and always questioning... that it never really goes away, even when you are older. To be brave and take that leap of faith no matter the fear in your heart.
She encourages us all to love deeply and courageously. Not courageous in More...
This book is chuck/chalk full of emotion. So truthful. So much meaning and deep feeling. Sabrina is an inspiration for all girls and women of all ages. To remember what it is like to be young, to be insecure and always questioning... that it never really goes away, even when you are older. To be brave and take that leap of faith no matter the fear in your heart.
She encourages us all to love deeply and courageously. Not courageous in More...
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Feb 20, 2011
Kat
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If I had a checkout sheet for each time I have either lent this or had a student ask to borrow it -- well, I could unroll it like a long dramatic, albeit comic, scroll. As a high school teacher, I see it all, but the incredible disconnect that so many students experience on a day-by-day basis is easily addressed with this lovely book. No, you cannot just open it up and whiz through it and that is the delight. It is as convoluted as any human deserves to be -- we are yarn balls of convolution and
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Feb 08, 2009
Kelly
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"When did I start doubting who I am? My friend Marguerite who is ten just can't comprehend NOT BEING HERSELF. That's why she is so vibrantly alive and glorious."
"...watching the branches let go..."
"...be patient with all that is unsolved in your heart, and learn to love the questions themselves. Do not now look for the answers. They cannot be given to you because you could not live them. It is a question of experiencing everything. You need t More...
"...watching the branches let go..."
"...be patient with all that is unsolved in your heart, and learn to love the questions themselves. Do not now look for the answers. They cannot be given to you because you could not live them. It is a question of experiencing everything. You need t More...
Jul 08, 2009
Sarcomical
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in freeform art journal style (don't expect to see lined-up paragraphs or even tons of text on each page), sabrina speaks to the artist spirit with her willingness to spill out (as in her other books) her insecurities, hopes, desires...all while encouraging you to be willing to do the same in your own life, whatever your occupation.
*visit her website at www.sabrinawardharrison.com to see her work
*visit her website at www.sabrinawardharrison.com to see her work
May 09, 2011
Wendy
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I am totally enthralled with this book. I am only able to breathe in bits of it at a time. My heart wonders how I might possibly be able to survive after I return "Spilling Open" to the library. At first I flipped through the pages to look at the eye candy of this book. I thought "just another art journal book - what's so special about this?" Then I started to read and examine each page. OH MY! This is totally how I believe art journaling should be. And I SO appreciate that S
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Jun 08, 2009
Kristen
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I think I liked the format of this book more than the actual content itself, although I did like certain quotes and lines throughout. It was the scrapbook/journal/collage/montage format that kept me engaged and interested in seeing how all the different medias were combined. And makes me think of how my life would look if I were to make a book like this. Interesting.
Jun 27, 2008
Rat de bibliothèque
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"Sabrina is a luminous mystery, a carousel of feelings, lumps and discoveries.
If you could lie down with her journals, you would see genius.
That is genius in this book.
Yes she is young Thank God
We might get that much more fun out of her"
- From the introduction of SARK,
author / artist of Succulent Wild Woman
Sabrina Harrison was very young at the time she wrote this and she was dared to be different, to be real, to b More...
If you could lie down with her journals, you would see genius.
That is genius in this book.
Yes she is young Thank God
We might get that much more fun out of her"
- From the introduction of SARK,
author / artist of Succulent Wild Woman
Sabrina Harrison was very young at the time she wrote this and she was dared to be different, to be real, to b More...
Apr 15, 2010
Mitchell A.
rated it:
I recently thumbed through this mini epic of self discovery again. A dear friends of mine adored Sabrina Ward Harrison in high school and for a good reason. Fun, messy, and aesthetically pleasing splash pages at every turn. But it is all about the content. Very self aware, very inspirational, these are the words of acceptance. She loves to quote Rainer Maria Rilke and SARK. It is about accepting everything you were, and are, and becoming everything you could be. A necessary lesson for ever
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Feb 09, 2009
Alissa
rated it:
in highschool, this was the book that i was searching for...
what a blessing! what a beautiful, mish-mash adventure.
self-help for young, fun & creative ladies.
what a blessing! what a beautiful, mish-mash adventure.
self-help for young, fun & creative ladies.
Feb 21, 2010
Haley
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Spilling Open is absolutely beautiful and totally unique. This is an art portfolio, journal and expose of the soul all at once. There is true wisdom within these pages.
Jun 07, 2011
Casey
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Sabrina Ward Harrison is such an inspiration to me. She writes through her anxiety, discomfort, joy, revelations, and growing pains. She is beautiful and real and a real soul sister!
Oct 19, 2009
I remember paging through this in college and really liking the words-and-pictures combo and creative message.
Mar 09, 2011
Meghan
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Her books are so beautiful. They're her art, journal and soul. You'll love them.
Oct 30, 2011
Debbie
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Sabrina Ward Harrison is very honest and has a beautiful, creative style.
Jan 13, 2009
Kristen
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This is a selfish portrayal of a young girl that blossoms into a world of self-discovery. The poetic writing is adolescent and not very intellectually stimulating. If anything carries this book to 3-stars it is the creative art and organization of the text. The scribbling chaos and collages are child-like yet very intriguing. The blind contour portraiture is loose and alive weaving throughout the pages of the book. Each picture accounts for varies moments of this girl's life. I would recom
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Sep 26, 2007
Jaime
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sabrina is so refreshing. not only is she brutally honest about her internal evolution, but she defines these shifts brilliantly in visual form. an ex-beau of mine (whom i adore) introduced me to sabrina's work while he was attending SCAD. when he came home with one of her books in hand, i immediately sat on our couch and fell into her world. moments later i wrote her a letter!..... and yes, yes: she replied. a stunning woman.
Mar 31, 2010
Donnajo
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A self help book. Done in art with journal type writing all over in every direction of the page. It sure was a different type of read. I have a few of her books. This is really the first time I sat and read one. It's the type you wouldn't feel like reading more than a page or two at a time. Today I sat and read almost half the book to finish it. It had quotes from different people and had you thinking at times.
Jan 17, 2008
Christiana
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this book gushes emotion. i hate the fact that i connect so well with it, and i hate even more that it can be found in the "self-help" section of the bookstore. Sabrina went to school for graphic design and what she took from her studies is beautifully organic and intuitive art - design wise and emotionally wise. We know that we're not alone in our own personal crazy mixed up worlds. Such an inspiration.
Nov 07, 2007
Sara
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My friend heather was given this book back in 2000, and I bought myself a copy bc i loved her copy so much. I bought it during a hard breakup and i found this book to be comforting, artistic, inspiring. it is a unique book in that it is a journal full of a women's heartfelt reflections, personal art, etc. I still pick it up and read it and I've had it for 8 years.
Feb 05, 2011
stargardener
rated it:
"And suddenly it became so light and clear to the inside. The heaviness of all this lifted and I could breathe into me as I am."
This book is part of my "dreams come true" because of the artistic and authentic person who shared this book with me ... and the to-the-stars inspiring collaborative relationship we share.
This book is part of my "dreams come true" because of the artistic and authentic person who shared this book with me ... and the to-the-stars inspiring collaborative relationship we share.
Jun 28, 2009
Jocelynneb
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This was a little startling to me because her words and worries and thoughts are mine too. It's like she reached inside my head and heart and put them in here.
Bittersweet: good: nice to know I'm not the only one going through these things constantly. bad: I'm not the only one going through these things constantly.
Bittersweet: good: nice to know I'm not the only one going through these things constantly. bad: I'm not the only one going through these things constantly.
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Oct 13, 2007
Virginia
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Like Ani DiFranco's early albums, this book kinda takes me back to the time when I was 20 and feisty. Now I'm older than that, and feisty. Though with less energy. And hopefully a little smarter.
I ADORED this book back then, but I was a little jealous that she got to publish a book so young.
I ADORED this book back then, but I was a little jealous that she got to publish a book so young.
Jun 25, 2007
Jessie
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Sabrina's beautiful photography combined with her journal-like writing and erratic painting makes this "self-help" book one-of-a-kind. She shows the reader her life in a way that will make them feel better about their lack of perfection. Read it if you love SARK's Succulent Wild Woman.
Oct 01, 2008
AMAMAM
rated it:
if you can keep in-mind that the author is only 21, you can love this book. the title sounds cliche and annoying, but the artistry of the book itself is beautiful. sabrina ward harrison is one of my fave contemporary artists. btw - she is 30 now and her work has evolved tremendously.
Dec 16, 2009
Ash
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I loved this book when I was 17... recently re-read it, and found it a little flat... Still, keeping it around because at one point it was exactly what I needed to hear. Maybe that means it warrents more than two stars for my past self, but my current self can't give it more than two.
