Taking Flight: Inspiration And Techniques To Give Your Creative Spirit Wings [Paperback]

Kelly Rae Roberts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2, 2008

Stretch Your Wings, Learn to Soar, Take Flight

In Taking Flight, you'll find overflowing inspiration--complete with a kindred spirit in author and mixed-media artist Kelly Rae Roberts. Join her on a fearless journey into the heart of creativity as you test your wings and learn to find the sacred in the ordinary, honor your memories, speak your truth and wrap yourself in the arms of community.

Along the way you'll be inspired by:

• Step-by-step techniques--learn the most-loved mixed-media methods of the author and seven talented contributing artists, and combine them in fresh and unexpected ways.
• Thought-provoking prompts and quotes--along with encouraging stories, insights and gentle guidance for finding your bliss, whatever your art or craft.
• Plenty of eye-candy--pages and pages of the author's endearing artwork, along with the varied works of the contributors.

Of course, learning to fly isn't entirely a step-by-step process--sooner or later, you just need to take a deep breath and spread your wings. With Taking Flight as your guide, there's no doubt that when you do, your creativity will soar.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kelly Rae Roberts is a mixed-media artist who neglected her creative dreams until she was 30 years old. Once she began to listen and nurture her creative voice, her life exploded with a joy she hadn't known before. She's had several articles published in Cloth Paper Scissors magazine and has been featured in various mixed-media books by her peers. Her paintings are collected worldwide and she is consistently accepted to show at juried art festivals around the country. Recently, she signed on with Brush Dance Publishing and DEMDACO for long-term licensing agreements that will showcase her work on cards, journals, magnets, calendars and wall art reproductions in stores nationwide. Learn more about her at www.kellyraeroberts.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books (September 2, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 160061082X
• ISBN-13: 978-1600610820
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 0.4 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (154 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,736 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #35 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Reference
  • #57 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Psychology & Counseling > Creativity & Genius

More About the Author

Kelly Rae Roberts is a mixed-media artist who neglected her creative dreams until she was 30 years old. Once she began to listen and nurture her creative voice, her life exploded with a joy she hadn't known before. She's had several articles published in Cloth Paper Scissors magazine and has been featured in various mixed-media books by her peers. Her paintings are collected worldwide and she is consistently accepted to show at juried art festivals around the country. Recently, she signed on with Brush Dance Publishing and DEMDACO for long-term licensing agreements that will showcase her work on cards, journals, magnets, calendars and wall art reproductions in stores nationwide. Learn more about her at www.kellyraeroberts.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

140 of 152 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Not what I was expecting January 16, 2009

By Indie Reader

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is not a bad book, if it's what you are looking for. It does contain some "how to" content and that which is included is amazing. However, I was lead to believe that that was what the entire book consisted of and that's not the case.

This book is very wordy full of the author's philosophy on art and life and everything else. It's sincere and heartfelt and I'm sure will give anyone who reads it warm fuzzies, but that's not what I was looking for when I bought this book. I wanted pages of tutorials and eye candy, not self help.

I wish I had known that going into it so I could have given it a pass. When I want to hear an artist's thoughts I visit their blog, I don't spend $25 to read them. This isn't to say that this is a bad book, because it's really not. It's just not marketed very well and that might lead to some confusion. I'd recommend it, but only if it's the kind of thing you are into.

84 of 90 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing less than revolutionary September 2, 2008

By Karen Walrond

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Kelly Rae Roberts' book arrived in my mailbox today, and I haven't put it down. Like many books of this genre, it's inspirational, but then there's more: there are exercises which help you tap into your own creativity. There are interviews with other artists which describe how they tapped into their own creative spirits. But the best part? Beautiful, fully-illustrated how-tos, to help you take and learn the techniques of all of the artists featured, so that you can incorporate them into your own art.

Truly outstanding first work -- and can't wait to read the follow-ups which must inevitably come.

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully done! September 25, 2008

By Susan Bleiweiss VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Kelly says in her introduction: "So, come along with me as we find our creative wings and take flight toward the sky of our bliss-filled inspiration - a place where your spirit will soar" This book definitely delivers on that statement. A beautiful book filled with page after page of gorgeous artwork, inspiring techniques and interesting prompts and quotes to get your creative spirit flowing. Designed to be an interactive experience with pages called "Winged Thoughts". These blank pages are ready for you to write in your own answers and responses to the questions and prompts presented on them. But there's so much more in this book that just questions and prompts. You'll find pages of mixed media techniques and projects to experiment with as well. Recommended for any artist working in any medium.

34 of 37 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I wish I could give this book 1000 stars!!! It's gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!! September 9, 2008

By Book Lover

Format:Paperback

This book is so sublimely beautiful that it makes me hurt!! Kelly Rae Roberts is an amazingly gifted artist. If you like the art style on the cover of the book, you'll fall in love with the rest of the book, too. I haven't been able to put it down since I got it. Her unique style is very consistent throughout the book. The projects are excellent, and the instructions are well done. Included in the book is input from a team of her artist friends who have contributed their own ideas and techniques to the book as well. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It's on a level all its own, in my opinion.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Lite flight April 1, 2011

By pietre

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Really like the artwork but the book was more crafty and less in depth than
I would have liked.
I did not realize that it was about how to make these particular crafts.
I thought it was more about the mental process of creating art.
Good book for those wanting something quick to do, an afternoon project.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and creative ideas to savor August 29, 2008

By J.M.

Format:Paperback

This is a beautifully done book filled with tips, techniques and photos. I've been waiting months for this book to come out and it was well worth the wait. If you've been hesitant to explore those creative nuggets you have thought about but didn't exactly know how to get started this is the perfect book to inspire you to just try things out. I'm already gathering supplies to get started. I wholly recommend this book highly!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Motivational September 24, 2008

By M. Seitzinger

Format:Paperback

Love it !! Beautiful and thought provoking! I could write a lot of flowery words about this book but they simply would not do it justice. This book is, at the least, a 5 star rating. I have a "few" art books in my library. I believe a true test of a book like this is to excite people to self activity. This book has hit the mark, not only with excellent examples of projects but Kelly's personal journey allows her soul to reach out to yours and say "come fly with me". I use to paint but haven't in a long time. I have already ordered supplies to do one of the projects from Kelly's book - I will make the project my own but the inspiration to start creating again has come from Kelly's book.
I recommend this book to anyone who either wants to be inspired to take that first step, or for whatever reason has stopped creating and would like to begin again.
Beautifully done Kelly Rae!!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Taking Flight Gave Me Wings! August 29, 2008

By Art Girl

Format:Paperback

Kelly Rae Roberts is an amazingly talented artist and apparently equally gifted as a writer as well. This book is a journey from her soul right into yours. It's part journal, part sitting around getting deep with your girlfriends, part interviews with other talented artists and part art instruction. So very different from other art books, even from the same publisher. It goes above and beyond and straight into your heart & head, making you think about your own creativity.

And until you find your creative spirit, the how-to make art sections are very clearly thought out and well written. I know that I will be able duplicate even the pieces that had materials I've never used before.

This book is a treasure that I know I will refer to again and again.