Natural Impressions: Taking an Artistic Path Through Nature [Paperback]

Carolyn A. Dahl (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2002

Since the beginning of time, artists have looked to nature for inspiration. They have sketched its shapes, admired its colors, painted its textures, and copied its patterns. Natural Impressions offers a unique way to cultivate creativity by making prints directly from natural objects. In this innovative book, author and crafter Carolyn Dahl demonstrates how printing with a natural material-covering it with a medium and pressing it to a surface-allows artists to see and appreciate exquisite, often-overlooked details and make physical contact with the earth that sustains us. Natural Impressions begins with practical guidance on collecting materials and objects, along with basic instructions for making a successful nature print. Divided into three sections-leaves, flowers, and fish-the book clearly demonstrates a variety of techniques using an array of mediums; for example, paints/pigments, bleach, collage, markers, textile paints, and even rubber stamps. Plus, a special section details how nature prints can meet today's technology with photocopying and computer manipulation. Carolyn Dahl mesmerizes readers with enchanting, emotional stories and observations about nature. She helps them realize the myriad ways nature impacts the creative spirit, and inspires them with dozens of inventive paper and fabric projects featuring remarkable nature prints. Whether one is a beginning artist or an experienced veteran, the techniques in Natural Impressions can be done successfully by anyone-and are sure to foster a deeper, more intimate relationship with nature.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Carolyn A. Dahl is a professional artist and craftsperson whose works on paper and fabric have been exhibited throughout the US. Her art has been featured in such magazines as American Craft, Fiberarts, Southwestern Art, and Quilting Today. She has also demonstrated her work on The Carol Duvall Show and Simply Quilts, both on HGTV. She lives in Houston, Texas.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823031497
• ISBN-13: 978-0823031498
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 9.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,026,182 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Let Nature Be Your Teacher, June 29, 2005

By 

Dr. M. H. O'BRIEN "Wordsworthian" (Sandy, UT) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Natural Impressions: Taking an Artistic Path Through Nature (Paperback)

This has become one of my favorite books; I have shared it with artists and non-artists alike, who all were rejuvenated by the author's poetic, spiritual,and inspirational approach to nature. Unlike another reviewer, I was glad that the author's direct, visceral, and lyrical interaction with her subject avoided direct references to God or an "intelligent designer"--this simply is not germane to her purpose in this gem of a book. Ironically, her meditations on her forays into the natural world teach us, nonetheless, that nature herself can inspire the highest spiritual and moral behaviors if we only choose to slow down, observe, respect, and listen to her wisdom.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, August 5, 2005

By 

V. Barnett (Bay Minette, Al, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Natural Impressions: Taking an Artistic Path Through Nature (Paperback)

I loved this book. My kids and I have already made fish print tee-shirts, but a serious artist would also find a lot of useful stuff in here. I can't wait to try the moonlit leaves project.

35 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is for nature lovers and artists who love nature, October 28, 2003

By 

Libby (Afton, TN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Natural Impressions: Taking an Artistic Path Through Nature (Paperback)

I love nature, and I am an artist. This book is underrated and undermarketed. I just read it at a time when we are all acutely aware of the color in nature. The book speaks poetically of nature and brings it to the reader as a real experience through the use of words. The projects, some of which I intend to try, affirm our need for harmony with the earth on which we live.

I didn't read any pantheism in it, but I was lonely for the attribution of nature and our experience in it to God.