Beyond Paper Dolls: Expressive Paper Personas Crafted with Innovative Techniques and Art Mediums [Paperback]

Lynne Perrella (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2006

The publisher of Somerset Studio and Art Doll Quarterly is proud to present Beyond Paper Dolls, a new publication dedicated to expressive paper personas crafted with innovative techniques and art mediums. Artist, author and designer Lynne Perrella, has invited over 50 mixed media artists to contribute to this book of over-the-top imaginative interpretations of the human form. Far more than paper dolls, this selection of thought-provoking and innovative "paper personas" will awaken your urge to make artwork that is meaningful, expressive, and full of story-telling.

With creative chapter headings such as "Inner Visions", "Curtain Up!", "Celebrations", "Fetish Figures" and more - get ready to immerse yourself in colors, textures, found objects, paint, fabric, fibers, metal and that eternal favorite paper. In addition, each chapter will also include a "Details Dossier" revealing the artists' techniques for creating the work, and giving you countless clues for using mixed media supplies, as well as spy-glass close-up views of the art to satisfy your inquiring mind.

Pull up your favorite chair, keep a sketchbook close at hand, enjoy the creative banquet served up by over 50 well known artists, and then start plotting how YOU plan to go "beyond paper dolls".

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Stampington and Company (2006)
• ISBN-10: 0971729689
• ISBN-13: 978-0971729681
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #802,892 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Paper Dolls in the Emerald City, or, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore!, November 19, 2006

By 

S. Fishburn (Fort Collins, Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beyond Paper Dolls: Expressive Paper Personas Crafted with Innovative Techniques and Art Mediums (Paperback)

A feast for the eyes and spirit, Beyond Paper Dolls could not be richer or more sumptuous. The book has been edgily compiled (and written and contributed to) by Lynne Perrella, whose skill in bringing together large and diverse communities of artists to create to particular themes is renowned.

Most of the "paper dolls" in this book, while occasionally paper, and in general, loosely fitting the definition of doll, push the envelope in ways that will inspire and delight anyone with even a passing interest in the human figure as art.

Vivacious and luscious colors and textures abound - the photographs of each artists' project(s) almost jump off the page - just short of 3-d. From Michelle Ward's fashionable Zelda Fitzgerald - complete with playing cards - to Deb Trotter's Buffalo Bill Cody shrine, the art created for this book shimmers and pulses with personalities, of the author, the artists and their subjects.

I would be remiss to not give a nod of approval to the design and production of this nice thick volume. The backgrounds stand on their own, the quotes and typography add additional interest, and the layout, while easy on the eyes, is never static.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scrumptuos, November 19, 2006

By 

Melissa McCobb Hubbell "artist and book lover" (Fairfield Co., CT, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beyond Paper Dolls: Expressive Paper Personas Crafted with Innovative Techniques and Art Mediums (Paperback)

I must admit I am a bit biased, as my work appears in this beautiful book. But - after looking at my own three pages! - I was continually impressed with page after page of wonderful artwork. These are not so much the traditional "paper doll" the phrase brings to mind -- cut from a book, in childhood, with its clothes attached by paper tabs -- these are glorious mixed media figures of every shape and form. Collage and mixed media artists will be enthused and inspired by the many pages of amazing art, presented beautifully, accompanied by thoughtful text. This book would be a wonderful addition to any mixed media artist's library, as well as anyone who enjoys magical, whimsical art.

41 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars * "beyond Paper Dolls" . . .. to Disappointment*, October 20, 2007

By 

mcHaiku "nmi" (Brown County INDIANA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Beyond Paper Dolls: Expressive Paper Personas Crafted with Innovative Techniques and Art Mediums (Paperback)

Here comes an unpopular opinion: In a way it seems ironic to me because I reviewed (#140006161x) with a similar theme a year ago, receiving favorable responses. This book is more free-wheeling; it is waaay beyond what a buyer might expect from the lengthy sub-title. Fashion comes to the forefront in book publishing & design nowadays; if editors guide the contributors toward restraint this will bring their craft more credibility.

This is Lynne Perrella's book, containing at least 28 pages of her designs. She is designated as author, photo stylist and co-art director, and possibly had veto power over her editor's decisions.

If you purchase this book sight unseen, especially if choosing a child's gift, or in a fever of nostalgia, I pity you. Today a flair with graphics, scissors & glue stix plus a lively conceit seems to be all it takes to put someone's name on the cover of a book. YES, that's a rude remark, but come on - when someone is paying $62.48 (as of 10-21-07) plus tax & p/h, couldn't there be a satisfactory hint of age range, and editing that respects the audience? Some of these "assemblages" do not really relate to each other or even to the book's sub-title and seem to suffer from a case of "aren't-we-clever-itis"?

Many show talent with using ephemera & sumptuous colors and fabrics. Perhaps the market for books about collage is saturated requiring the theme to be twisted in a different direction? Some of the ideas used would be more convincing as "art" if scaled down to the size of "A.T.C.s" (# 1592533345), OR, at the other end of the spectrum: as kite designs?!

Craft enthusiasts eagerly read reviews. Many will judge these paragraphs as being 'off in left field' - but a balance of opinion is not a bad thing, and presumably Amazon makes this space available so that perception is less skewed.