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Adventures in Mixed Media: Collage, Stitch, Fuse, and Journal Your Way to a More Creative Life
Mixed media in all its forms—not just traditional two-dimensional, paper-based collage but three-dimensional pieces that include fiber, fabric, a variety of embellishments, found objects, and even repurposed and recycled materials—offers artists an opportunity to move freely across the boundaries of art, craft, painting, quilting, and collage. In Adventures in Mixed Media , Jane Davies shows you how to use this art form to enrich your creative expression.
In lessons that inspire creativity, Jane demonstrates a variety of techniques using paper, fabric, embellishments such as beads, feathers, and ribbons, fusible and nonfusible fibers, and even foamcore. Books, bags, mini-quilts, personal shrines, and paper dolls are just some of the projects inside—and of course Jane emphasizes ways to incorporate photos and other personal memorabilia and details into your art. Whether you are a beginner and want to start with techniques like “scribble painting” or “basic collage,” or an expert collage artist eager to learn new uses for familiar materials, this is the book to guide your creative explorations in collage and mixed media.
In lessons that inspire creativity, Jane demonstrates a variety of techniques using paper, fabric, embellishments such as beads, feathers, and ribbons, fusible and nonfusible fibers, and even foamcore. Books, bags, mini-quilts, personal shrines, and paper dolls are just some of the projects inside—and of course Jane emphasizes ways to incorporate photos and other personal memorabilia and details into your art. Whether you are a beginner and want to start with techniques like “scribble painting” or “basic collage,” or an expert collage artist eager to learn new uses for familiar materials, this is the book to guide your creative explorations in collage and mixed media.
144 pages, Paperback
First published April 26, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 2, 2011
Inspiring. I didn't even get 1/4 through before i stopped to do a collage. Full of wonderful ideas i will be sure to try.
December 31, 2011
There are plenty of fun ideas in this book for dedicated artists, crafters or anyone who just wants to spend an afternoon doing something creative. With clear instructions and helpful photos, author Jane Davies explains a range of techniques and shows the reader how to make all sorts of interesting things including bags, bookmarks, boxes, books and journals, as well as mixed media dolls. She also teaches you how to decorate paper to make it more unique, or even make your own fabrics or paper: fusion fabric (fabric, paper, fiber and thread fused together) and fabric paper (fabric and paper worked together). These can all be used for any art project you're working on.
I found the book easy to read and the instructions simple to follow. Many of the projects make great gifts or mementos and are simple enough to be tackled by beginners, but there's also stuff that would interest the more seasoned crafter/artist.
I found the book easy to read and the instructions simple to follow. Many of the projects make great gifts or mementos and are simple enough to be tackled by beginners, but there's also stuff that would interest the more seasoned crafter/artist.
January 26, 2021
A 3.5-star rating.
I'm not suggesting that it's necessary to define mixed media, to nail it down once and for all, but rather that it's an open-ended concept. One person's mixed-media piece may be another's sculpture, handmade book, or collage. In other words, "mixed media" embraces a wide variety of materials, techniques, and formats for artistic expression... What I like about mixed media is that you get to explore all kinds of materials and techniques without having to become an expert at any one of them or use them in traditional ways. Which isn't to say that there's no skill involved in mixed media. The skill aside from the endless techniques you can employ is mainly in putting things together to effectively express ideas or make beautiful objects." Introduction - pg.8
With seven in-depth chapters, covering topics such as Paper Constructions, Books and Boxes, Shrines and Ornaments combined with templates and resources this book is a well laid out and visually engaging work. The well-photographed projects with precise instructions allow you to move easily from reader to creator. I found a variety of practical information that will go a
long way in enhancing my own artistic pursuits. There are several projects for those who find pleasure in sewing (not me!), both on a machine or by hand, such as a fabric-paper zipper pouch, or a fabric-paper mini quilt. Jane has delivered a book that is user friendly while being an extremely innovative guide for anyone interested in furthering the scope of mixed media.
I'm not suggesting that it's necessary to define mixed media, to nail it down once and for all, but rather that it's an open-ended concept. One person's mixed-media piece may be another's sculpture, handmade book, or collage. In other words, "mixed media" embraces a wide variety of materials, techniques, and formats for artistic expression... What I like about mixed media is that you get to explore all kinds of materials and techniques without having to become an expert at any one of them or use them in traditional ways. Which isn't to say that there's no skill involved in mixed media. The skill aside from the endless techniques you can employ is mainly in putting things together to effectively express ideas or make beautiful objects." Introduction - pg.8
With seven in-depth chapters, covering topics such as Paper Constructions, Books and Boxes, Shrines and Ornaments combined with templates and resources this book is a well laid out and visually engaging work. The well-photographed projects with precise instructions allow you to move easily from reader to creator. I found a variety of practical information that will go a
long way in enhancing my own artistic pursuits. There are several projects for those who find pleasure in sewing (not me!), both on a machine or by hand, such as a fabric-paper zipper pouch, or a fabric-paper mini quilt. Jane has delivered a book that is user friendly while being an extremely innovative guide for anyone interested in furthering the scope of mixed media.
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May 5, 2021I liked this book beacause it included projects and instructions. I was interested in the book binding chapter. There are other projects too like stick dolls and paper boxs. There are alot of different uses for paper and creating your own designed paper.
August 26, 2017
Loads and loads of techniques and ideas. Excellent resource!
June 20, 2023
Pretty basic. A variety of techniques with sample projects, craft oriented.
November 1, 2012
I purchased this book at Jane's workshop at Art & Soul in Portland. It's a delightful book filled with mixed media projects, how-to's, and inspiration galore.
February 1, 2016
very cool ideas
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews