135 of 142 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not Another Gushing Review, December 23, 2008
This review is from: 1,000 Artist Journal Pages: Personal Pages and Inspirations (1000 Series) (Paperback)
I was wary when I saw that most--if not all--of the reviewers listed on Amazon.com were contributors to this book. It is too easy for people not used to being published to get all starry-eyed over "publication"--as if it validates their existence, their art, or their parking tickets (and no I didn't submit anything, so this is not "sour grapes"). However, I thought I still saw enough good to order it for the price. In fact, this book offers a wealth of art to inspire your own efforts. Unfortunately, the photos of the art are too small: I'd rather have had only 500 entries, if I could see the interesting details of each better. For example, if the publisher or author had deleted the similar pieces by the same artists, or, if all 1,000 (thus, the series' name) had been included but more paper used, I'd be happier. I'd rather pay more for a truly fine publication. In addition, this book seriously lacks organization; although it would have been a challenge, some sort of editorial categorizing of the pieces would have made the book more accessible as a reference guide. Editorially, the book is a "blob" of work that requires more work on the part of the user than it should, detracting significantly from the enjoyment.
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41 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
1000 Artist Journal Pages, June 23, 2008
This review is from: 1,000 Artist Journal Pages: Personal Pages and Inspirations (1000 Series) (Paperback)
This is a truly gorgeous and inspirational book featuring the work of well-known art journalists, as well as worthy newcomers and unknowns. I was pleased to discover several fresh faces; so often in recent art journaling books it's been the same six or seven people featured. The artists' work is presented without editorial comment. The layout is not too crowded, and the color reproduction appears to be good. Lots and lots of inspiration here for art journalists who want new ideas and a fresh perspective. The variety of the work is phenomenal and international, in several different languages, and from every corner of the globe. I had to earmark many pages for closer study in my studio. A great reference volume, especially for teachers of art journaling.
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53 of 64 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
amazing to feel a part of so many stories shared through pages, July 1, 2008
This review is from: 1,000 Artist Journal Pages: Personal Pages and Inspirations (1000 Series) (Paperback)
I just got my book today and was going to email Dawn personally to tell her how great it turned out, but then decided I should share it here with other potential readers too.
When I heard about the book, I was afraid that the pages inside were going to be tiny thumbnails, or a lot of stuff from a few people like many books on the market. Neither of these problems are true... the pages are big enough that I could read the journal text from just about every page. That's another part of my praise... most of the pages include real journaling, not just collage in a book labeled as "art journaling" as I have seen before, which is less my preference.
The neat thing about being able to read the words on pages was to be connected with so many people that have so many of the same anxieties about being enough and doing enough... artists connected on so many planes in so many ways. I also really liked that, because of the many pages in the book, I began to recognize what types of pages caught my attention. I realized that I want to be able to work in the brighter colors that I was drawn to in the book.
There was also really great contrast in pages that were simple to complex, and I realized I really liked a lot of the very sparse stenciled pages. And pages were submitted from international audiences too, not just people from the US. There are also several submissions from men. I was happy that the collection of pages reached different demographics, and I saw many new names alongside those artists I've long admired.
I was reading one page in the book and saw references to local places (Saint Cupcake and Lincoln School) and realized it must be another Portlander. This made me wish that the names alongside the pages included city and state of the artists, as it gave me added energy to know about the local creative forces at play.
I have several pages in the book, and my books were handled kindly and photographed well. My name was spelled right. All that was cool. Dawn also accepted a submission of one of my mother's art journal pages. My mother died last August and would have adored this book. It is really an honor to have her page next to mine, and I look forward to sharing the book with my family.
I don't know Dawn and have only had contact with her in relationship to submitting my pages. But I am honestly impressed by how well done this book is, even outside my limited contribution. It is image heavy, and the pages are rich, honest,deep, serious and fun. There is much range in the styles, but the selection of contributed pages is quite excellent. I think this book will provide inspiration to a wide range of art journalers, and is not a repeat of any past books on the subject. It's a keeper.
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