Collage for the Soul: Expressing Hopes and Dreams Through Art [Paperback]

Holly Harrison (Author), Paula Grasdal (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2003

For many people, art is at once a form of self-expression and discovery. Perhaps that's why collage—which is based on the idea of spontaneously layering images and symbols—is a favorite medium for crafters of all kinds.

This book approaches the topic by theme: 5 chapters present 20 projects that deal with expressing personal creativity, exploring and recording relationships, dreaming and wishing, finding inspiration in nature, and creating visual memoirs. The instructions tell how to create a personalized project, sharing necessary techniques while suggesting ideas for substituting personal themes and materials. The directions are a starting point to encourage the reader's own artistic journey, guiding the reader to contemplate, explore, and express thoughts and feelings through the medium of collage. An inspirational gallery concludes the book, with another 26 projects by leading artists in the field.

Whether a person's passion is stamping, decoupage, painting or paper art, this book shows how various collage techniques can combine to help any crafter or artist improve their craft and enrich their soul.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Holly Harrison is a freelance writer and editor. Her first craft book, Angel Crafts: Graceful Gifts, Inspired Designs, was published by Rockport in April 2002. She has also contributed to numerous magazines, including Metropolitan Home. She lives in Concord, Massachusetts.

Paula Grasdal is a printmaker and mixed-media artist living in the Seattle area. She has contributed to several other Rockport books, including Angel Crafts: Graceful Gifts, Inspired Designs, The Crafter's Project Book, and Making Shadow Boxes and Shrines. Her work has been exhibited in galleries in the U.S. and Canada.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Quarry Books (March 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564969622
• ISBN-13: 978-1564969620
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #287,082 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

102 of 108 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Get another book, June 24, 2003

By 

SharedJourneys (Treasure Coast FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Collage for the Soul: Expressing Hopes and Dreams Through Art (Paperback)

I was really excited to get this book and explore the world of collage. I am a mixed media artist so I am familiar with materials. The pictures are gorgeous, but I found the instructions vague and lacking in detail. There is the collage picture and opposite is the materials list with bulleted instructions. One page per picture. One page for instructions (this is the area that needed more detail) And that is it.

Look at the house shaped box collage called "Crossings". The material list is there but the written instructions don't match the list. I expect to learn in the instructions how the 3 3/4" x 48" birch plywood is cut and used. Forget that. . .there is only vague information about how the box comes together. The pictures are inspiring and showcases great collage artwork. I celebrate that but hey the meat is in the instructions and sharing the techniques with others. If you are looking to learn about collage get another book.

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb! A "must" for collage artists, March 4, 2003

By 

Kelly Kilmer "artist and instructor" (West Hollywood, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Collage for the Soul: Expressing Hopes and Dreams Through Art (Paperback)

I'm a mixed media book artist and instructor and this book is just simply SUPERB, definetly one I would recommend to fellow artists and to my students. It is one of the best 'collections' of mixed media collage art out there. The instructions are excellent and easy to follow. I love the 'gallery' section of the book though some (a very small handful) have been seen in the magazine "Somerset Studio" and on various online websites before. It is a wonderful collection of artwork that will inspire you to sit down and just 'make something'.
If you're a beginner I would recommend Nita Leland titles for beginning (and advanced) collage students. Collage for the Soul is eye candy for artists! I'm looking forward to more books like this one.

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In a word, gorgeous!, March 13, 2003

By 

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

This review is from: Collage for the Soul: Expressing Hopes and Dreams Through Art (Paperback)

The elegant presentation and richly detailed photographs of "Collage for the Soul" lend it the air of an artful treasure. Its squarish format is pleasingly different, the colors rich, the layout clean, and the instructions for creating similar projects are easy to follow.
For the purposes of this book, the definition of collage has been expanded to include techniques in assemblage and mixed-media, especially valuable to aspiring and practicing artists in these days when recycling has come into its own!
I adore being introduced to the work of artists with whom I am unfamiliar, like Candace Walters, whose piece "Memory of Home from an Island" is striking! She juxtaposes images of animals that look like illustrations from a children's book, with the meticulously painted face of her daughter, then repeats those same animals painted in tiny versions on her daughter's collar. The piece is filled with symbolism, some of which is explained in the written details and some of which is left to one's own interpretation. The book is chock-full of such pieces, with photographs that easily allow for detailed examination.
As an artist, I was particularly intrigued by the in-depth explorations of the creative process. Harrison and Grasdal have put together the perfect book for an artist's library - one that combines practical techniques, inspiration and beautiful graphics.
Whether you are looking for an excellent addition to your own reference bookshelf or coffeetable collection, or in need of a gift, I unabashedly recommend this gorgeous book for anyone who loves unique, colorful, thought-provoking art, as well as for those who simply appreciate collage in its myriad forms.