The Decorated Page: Journals, Scrapbooks & Albums Made Simply Beautiful [Hardcover]

Gwen Diehn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 28, 2002

“Diehn opens up a new dimension—the artist’s vision of visual memories. Consider this a superscript above all other entries.”—Booklist. “Encourages those who hesitate to start in on the pristine pages of a nicely bound blank book.... Lively and interesting illustrations make this a good selection for public library collections.”—Library Journal.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Ah, the famous blank book. With the popularity of journaling and self-expression through writing, North Carolina teacher and author (Simple Printmaking, 2000) Diehn opens up a new dimension--the artist's vision of visual memories. Materials and techniques, of course, begin the narrative; the author not only delves into the merits of paints and pens and stamps but also advocates different kinds of everyday supply kits as take-alongs. Most of the book is devoted to the how-tos, from customizing a blank book to avoiding the straight and narrow via mandalas, diagonals, cutouts, or grids. Illustrations come from the artist's perspective: a textured 3-D diary and a rolling-wheels travel journey, among many others. Two- to three-page sidebars highlight specific genres, such as pillow books, nature journals, and illuminated manuscripts. Ten sample pages feature such methods as mapping, storytelling, and information gathering. Consider this a superscript above all other entries. Barbara Jacobs
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Lark Books; 1 edition (October 28, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579902995
• ISBN-13: 978-1579902995
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #98,401 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gwen Diehn was born and raised in New Orleans, LA, and studied art at Indiana University at South Bend, The University of Notre Dame (MA), and Vermont College (MFA). She has exhibited her artwork internationally and has work in many private and public collections, including the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, DC. She has taught college art as well as workshops for many years. She has also written several books about art and also journal keeping and making. One of them, The Decorated Page, is being re-issued in a revised edition/bind-up with another one, The Decorated Journal, in spring, 2012. Her most recent book, Real Life Journals, was listed as one of the top 10 gardening and crafts books of 2010 by Booklist.


You can visit her blog at http://real-life-journals.blogspot.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

87 of 87 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sets a journaler on course and creates a process, December 8, 2002

By 

Zoe (NEPA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Decorated Page: Journals, Scrapbooks & Albums Made Simply Beautiful (Hardcover)

I am a big fan of books, and love art, but not as much a fan of "do-it-yourself" books. This book, however, changed my course in journaling. It describes clearly a process for making an "every day" journal into a piece of art. Gwen Diehn writes and then provides examples of how to create either a simple or an eloquent journal page. She sets a slow and steady pace giving the reader an opportunity to "absorb" the content. Each page builds on the preceeding page and its examples are helpmates for either the novice or the experienced artist/journaler to build his/her own skills. She elected to show some very experienced journalers, many of whom I recognize from other art communities, and all of whom are able artists. The book is not intimating, and it is perhaps its lack of pretense that both delights me, and confuses others into assuming this is a beginner's book. While I may have known some or many of the techniques Gwen Diehn shares in "Decorated Page" I found her re-igniting my desire to do it rather than just think it. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in journaling, collage and altered books. While the book is not necessarily directed to altered books or collage artists, many of the schema are apt for these venues, and certainly they can be easily adapted. This is one of the few books I read "cover-to-cover" and keep next to my ready read room. I am certain I will be referring back to its text and admiring its content for a good long time.

55 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eye candy with substance!, September 16, 2003

By 

Elizabeth Metz "Muse" (Crescent, Iowa, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Decorated Page: Journals, Scrapbooks & Albums Made Simply Beautiful (Paperback)

I'd been holding off on buying Diehn's book until I'd picked up a few that I thought were "more important". So when a friend sent it to me, I was AMAZED at how wrong I was about needing others on this subject.

Diehn goes through almost every aspect of creating a journal that's unique, personal, and most importantly (to me) VISUAL. There are background and layout techniques for those days when you just don't want to do too much drawing, lots of examples that are more inspiring than a personal visit from the Muse, and a TON of SUBSTANCE -- real ideas for turning your daily logs into works of art that you can flip back through with pride. It answered quite a few questions that I'd still had for a while now (and I wrote a book on visual journalling, so these were big questions), and got me moving in a forward direction again.

If you're just starting out, or if you've been keeping journals for what seems like FOREVER -- this book WILL HELP, WILL INSPIRE, and will be WORTH EVERY PENNY. Go get it now!

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful book that makes this art form more approachable, October 2, 2005

By 

Valerie Franek (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Decorated Page: Journals, Scrapbooks & Albums Made Simply Beautiful (Paperback)

I recently discovered this book at my local library, and have to say that I was amazed by how wonderful it is! Many other books on this topic have been overwhelming to me, showcasing very beautiful books that seemed well beyond my skills. However, this book actually made me feel like I can actually do this myself, rather than just look at others' works. It does a great job covering the basics, including what supplies you can use, how to do basic book modifications, and examples of layouts and the purposes of creating such a journal. The instructions on preparing a book and sample pages are really well done, described in very clear terms with plenty of photos to illustrate each step. I also really enjoyed the various historical pieces throughout the book, to give some idea of how these books have developed over time. I would highly recommend this book, and have to disagree with the review who claimed this book is boring. It isn't! Some of the pieces shown are more simplistic (less cluttered!) than those in other books, but it is a valuable resource for anyone wanting to create an art journal or altered book.