Art at the Speed of Life: motivation + inspiration for making mixed-media art every day [Paperback]

Pam Carriker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 2011

Need high-energy inspiration when your life gets crazy and your art keeps getting pushed to the back burner? Offering terrific mixed-media art projects, as well as tips for getting organized and inspired, Art at the Speed of Life is a treasure chest of ideas for the artist whose creative goals sometimes get stymied by the frantic pace of modern life. Author and mixed-media artist Pam Carriker proves that art and life can coexist peacefully, productively, and happily. Making things every day can be a joyful reality instead of just wishful thinking.

Each chapter in Art at the Speed of Life includes both essays and project ideas from a variety of contributors, including Suzi Blu, Lisa Bebi, Christy Hydeck, Paulette Insall, Cate Calacous Prato. The projects are inspiring, yet easy to complete on a tight schedule, and include techniques such as assemblage, image transfer, and collage. A bonus seven-day journal project helps you track your work as you go. With a unique combination of time management tips and advice, inspiring essays, and projects designed to fit into busy schedules, Art at the Speed of Life will help you live your dream of making art every day.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Exciting mixed-media projects and sage advice on how we readers can find ways to artistically make it happen for us every single day. By the end of the book, you are left with a completed art journal where you have learned numerous techniques in a voice and style that is uniquely yours." – Jenny Doh, Crescendoh

"I’m in love with this book...everything about it." – Lesley Riley, host, Art & Soul Radio

"Love the book and I think you will too!" – Mark Lipinski, former Executive Editor of Quilter's Home magazine

"Definitely worth checking out if you are looking for some creative inspiration and motivation!" – Paint.Draw.Blend, the Pan Pastel blog

"You’d think this is really enough for a book – topics, inspiration, commentary, projects. But there is more to this book. There are gorgeous illustrations, aphorisms to encourage you, and a square size that makes dropping it in your tote bag and taking it anywhere possible." - QuinnCreative, Blogger

"This book is a beauty from cover to cover -- that is what first struck me as I leafed through it. The art-filled pages drip with gorgeous color, interesting textures, striking imagery, and provide an appealing array of projects for various mediums. Pam is a master artist as well as an excellent teacher to boot." – Susan Tuttle Blog

"All of this great motivation and helpful instruction is in a beautiful, inspirational package that any level of artist is bound to appreciate." - TangledPatterns.com

"Pam's book makes me want to rush out and begin creating. That’s always a good indication of whether or not I am inspired by a book! I highly recommend it." – Violet's Creative Juice, Blog

About the Author

Pam Carriker has created art with a variety of media over more than 20 years. She has served on several design teams, and has been featured in magazines including Cloth Paper Scissors, Somerset Studios, The Stamper's Sampler, Art Journaling, and Somerset Apprentice. She currently teaches a successful online workshop series through Creative Workshops and Crescendoh Creative Lab.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (February 15, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596682612
• ISBN-13: 978-1596682610
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.4 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #75,400 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #45 in Books > Arts & Photography > Other Media > Mixed Media
  • #54 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Mixed-Media

More About the Author

Pam Carriker is a Mixed Media Artist, Instructor, Columnist, and author of, Art at the Speed of Life and Creating Art at the Speed of Life. Her articles and artwork can be found in over 40 publications including, Somerset Studios (Cover Artist Nov/Dec 2010) The Stampers' Sampler, Art Journaling (Cover Artist Summer 2010), Somerset Apprentice, Where Women Create, Artful Blogging, Cloth Paper Scissors, and Studios. Serving as a Directors' Circle Artist and Columnist for Stampington & Co, she has also created instructional videos for Strathmore Artist Papers line of Visual Journals, stencils for Stencil Girls, and rubber art stamps for Stampington & Co. She is enjoying developing a signature line of mixed media art products with Derivan Matisse.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful and Beautiful and USEFUL January 30, 2011

By sherrieJD

Format:Paperback

Having taken several of Pam's online classes, I was excited to see her techniques and inspirational color palette memorialized in print. Art at the Speed of Life concentrates on providing artists with a road map to incorporating art into their every day lives with helpful instructions on creating art in a more efficient manner. Interspersed throughout the book are chapters from some of my other favorite mixed-media artists and they share how to incorporate and manage an artful life in our normal routines as well. Of course it wouldn't be the perfect Mixed-Media book if it didn't also include methods on building backgrounds, adding focal points, and interesting imagery. I'm excited to try many of the techniques, such as toilette papier-mache and beeswax collage (encaustics). Instructions are clearly written and supporting photographs and sketches are meaningful and helpful. Just looking at the contents page, I have counted 22 projects/techniques and I can't wait to sit down and try them all. For me it always comes back to one question, would I buy this book again 5 years from now? For Pam's new book, the answer would definitely be YES!

40 of 43 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars time management and creativity. March 7, 2011

By Monica Smith

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The only sections of the book I found tedious were the pop psychologists especially Suzi Blu. All the nonsense about "am I an artist" has nothing to do with finding the time for keeping an art journal. Why do you need a title?
All this aside there are many techniques such as the paint under technique and excellent suggestions on how to use time wisely like making multiple backgrounds and interesting collages. Many of the contributors have unique ideas and techniques. the illustrations are excellent. This is is a good book for anyone new to visual journaling and and collaging.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Curl up with a blankie February 2, 2011

By M. B. Shaw

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Just received my copy of this book in time for our horrid winter weather. It was such a delight to curl up and read. Lovely eye candy and fun techniques. I especially enjoyed the practical advice (do batches of backgrounds) and accessible products (gel hand cleaner transfers) covered in the book. I think that any level of artist could find a lot to like here. And the step outs are particularly detailed which is nice!!