Mixed media techniques have come to forefront again, with artists in every field combining materials and effects to create journals, altered art, collage pieces, memory art and more. With all the creative experiementation developing at such a fast pace, it is pertinent to know how various techniques and combinations work and whether they are right for your latest project. Alphabetica illuminates new techniques through detailed visuals and rich, explanatory text. From cover to cover, readers absorb the specialties of each contributing artist, such as Judi Riesch's use of vintage photographs, and Lesley Riley's sophisticated fabric transfers, and are able to get an "over the shoulder" glance at how these artists work.
Welcome to my Author's page. I live and breathe mixed media artwork. I am a collage artist, author, and workshop instructor. Years ago, I was consulting with another artist who was writing a book on Altered Books. I knew many colleagues in that field and was happy to make recommendations and forward along any potentially-helpful information to her. One day, I got an email from her stating that she had decided to also include the topic of Art Journals in her book. I immediately fired back: "Hey! That subject should have its OWN book"; and she recommended that I work up my own book proposal on the subject. On an impulse, I went ahead with the idea, and within a week I started writing my first book, "Artist's Journals and Sketchbooks", published by Rockport/Quarry in 2004. I realized how affirming it was to be an advocate and a spokesperson for a topic I felt strongly about; plus it was a joy to feature the work of artists I knew and respected....plus some new faces. The other compartments of my life, as a full-time artist and a workshop instructor, work well with my more recent role as an author. All of the aspects, of all these endeavors, seem to interact perfectly. Since my first book, I have gone on to do four other titles. "Alphabetica", "Beyond Paper Dolls", "Art-Making: Collections & Obsessions" and my latest book, "Art-Making & Studio Spaces". Every aspect of doing a book project is interesting; from the first sudden "what if?" vision of a potential book idea, to planning the book map/pagination, to working with my photographer, to interacting with the contributing artists, and getting the guidance and coaching from the editors at Rockport/Quarry. Not unlike the art-making process itself, my goal as an author is to attempt something that is unique, distinctive, and personal. I would like artists and non-artists alike to encounter my books and feel that they are being welcomed into a fascinating artform (mixed media) where personal artistic exploration is alive and well.
