Customer Reviews

New Directions in Altered Books

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For several years now I thought I was done with the concept of an altered book, but then I hadn't seen or read Gabe Cyr's book until this summer. Gabe puts to shame other authors who have come along and offered us formularic ways in which to create--to alter--by intoxicating us with new paths, stimulating our senses and re-invigorating this old dog into thinking once more of reclaiming a tired, discarded friend and turning her into a piece of art.

Her steps are easy to follow, but she doesn't instruct so much as lead one along a path to one's own creative urges and juices. It is this ability to arouse the creative urge and the plethora of eye candy she has included in the book that makes this among the best books on the subject of altered books!

If you want to learn, or regain your excitement about altered books, this is the book to own!

****

This book was chock full of great ideas and inspiration for working with altered books. It covers such topics as choosing the right book, preparing the book, design principles, tools and materials, and techniques for altering books. Then there are many projects, each with a picture of the finished book, a list of instructions, and materials and tools. There are lots of pictures of very creative projects by a variety of artists. Also covered are ways of working with others on altered books, like round robins and working with children.

I am a beginning collage artist, and bought this book to see if altered books would be something I would be interested in. What I did not like about this book, and the reason I gave it only four stars instead of five, is that the projects do not always have pictures of the steps to go along with the instructions. Thus, the projects won't be doable for someone like me who has to see new ways of doing things demonstrated. People who can follow instructions without pictures (for example, people who have worked with altered books before) will probably have no trouble with this. Still, I got enough value from the book as an inspirational tool and creative sourcebook to make it worth my time and money, and to rate it four stars. Recommended.

****

I think this book is very refreshing for anyone who might be working with altered books or may want to start. Gives a lot of ideas on how to think of the book in different ways from the conventional. This book has been a real inspiration for my work with altered books and all my altered work. I highly recommend this book, you will see artists you haven't seen before.

This book got me excited about trying some of the techniques and projects. There are examples showing an accordian shaped altered book, a slinky type one, and journal dolls. You learn a lot of techniques from this (cutting a niche, choosing adhesives, and preparing the book for applying different art).

Probably it's the variety of artists featured in the book that makes it more exciting. There's a printmaker, a doll artist, a quilter, a ceramist, a photographer, and many other specialist who've applied their talents to altered books.

Gabe Cyr's new book encourages the unique creativity of each of us. Whether you've been involved in altered art for a while, or, are a beginner, New Directions will encourage and motivate you to keep asking "What if?" It includes clear and practical information on tools and techniques as well as inspiring examples . . . all aimed at getting each of us to think up our own creative approaches and projects. Beautifully done. Highly recommended.

Sometimes a writer simply clicks. Gabe Cyr is in top form from start to finish. I couldn't turn a page in this book without being inspired. Although the book might be a stretch for some readers who want to try altered books for the first time, it is so filled with ideas, hints, tips and possibilities that even the complete novice would find encouragement to try a new skill.

My personal experience has been that many craft books are mediocre at best. The offerings lean toward "cute" or toward craft groups preparing for a fund-raising event...very middle-of-the-road. Gabe Cyr dares to try truly unusual things and in the process to open the door for others to do the same. The projects are not intended to be re-created exactly, but to help each reader find her or his own "voice" in this artistic craft.

An excellent addition to any serious library.

I am a mixed media artist that does not really do altered books anymore. I still do some book shrines though. I liked that a lot of the book was not about what is popular right now in the AB world. It had a lot of self-expression and different ideas. It had some round robin stuff in there and some techniques. I saw some big names in there. I was just flipping through it a couple of days ago before getting the request to review it. It is a good book for newbies and experienced AB'ers. It is not a how-to book as much as others. If you are brand new to ABs, then I would recommend the Altered Books 101 type books. If you have an idea of what you want to do or have done ABs before, then this a book that you will want to look at.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The instructions are very good, there are many creative ideas and the photography is wonderful. There are some really unique approaoches to wall art using altered books, as well as using CDs, picture frames, etc. What I like best is that this book has some new and refreshing ideas which I haven't seen before and that always gets my creative juices flowing. There is also a great gallery which showcases the work of other artists. For those just beginning, the book starts with how to choose the right book for altering. For the more advanced enthusiast, there is a section that asks, "What if...? and explores new possibilities with other artists. Something for everyone and definitely one of my favorites.

New Directions is fabuous, so much more than eye candy, Gabe's book stirs up all kinds of new ideas! This is one that isn't even hitting the bookshelf, it'll be right next to the work table.

This is the best of the best for the altered book artist. If you want to go out of the box, this is the book for you.