The Pulse of Mixed Media: Secrets and Passions of 100 Artists Revealed [Paperback]

Seth Apter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 31, 2012

Listen closely...can you hear it?

Can you hear the voices? Thoughts, insights, confessions from the creative community sharing ideas, trading secrets, venting frustrations; asking and answering questions such as, "What color rarely shows up in your work?" or "How do you express vulnerability in your art?" Or "What is one current trend that you wish would go away?" As artists, we are curious by nature and there is a longing to see inside the hearts and minds of artistic souls of our own kind. That is the beat of our lives - The Pulse of Mixed Media!

In this book - a complex survey of artists around the globe - there is much for you to discover:

Visual Insights: Many questions are answered not only in words, but often through visual art, and include self-portraits from 31 spotlight artists such as Pam Carriker, Danny Gregory and Judy Wise.

A diverse sampling of provocative questions: Over 100 artists share their thoughts on everything from color, media and tools, to emotions, secrets and self-revelations.

Insightful sidebar statistics: Data from thousands of participants collected through polls on the author's blog reveal a remarkable analysis of the creative community at large.

Indulge your inner voyeur and soak up some inspiration with The Pulse of Mixed Media today!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Given there are more than 100 artists included in The Pulse of Mixed Media, there is a wide variety of art to enjoy, with detailed captions that give readers further insight into the artists' work, inspiration, and thoughts. Take a look and be inspired." -- Barbara Delaney, Cloth Paper Scissors

"This book is great - really good. There is a ton of great and original artwork shown. I've learned that people love getting to the heart of the artist. This book does it, and I'm certain that no one other than Seth could have delivered it in such a wonderful way." -- Christen Olivarez, Editor, Somerset Studio

"Apter obtains an array of answers to in-depth questions that delve deep into the psyche of each of his subjects. Coupled with beautiful color photographs of their work...Apter's psychology-based questioning leads to a comprehension of the artistic process rarely shared before now." -- Lee E. Cart, Shelf Awareness

"The Pulse of Mixed Media is one of the most interesting and engaging books I've encountered in a long while. Seth Apter dives deep into the waters of mixed media to ask intriguing questions to 100 artists who are passionate about making mixed media art. Bravo...for authoring a truly delightful book. " -- Jenny Doh, crescendoh.com 

"A new book is in town and it's one of the best books on the relationship of the artist and his/her work I've put my hands on in a good long while." -- Stephanie Lee, author of Plaster Studio

About the Author

Seth Apter is a mixed-media artist, author and instructor in New York City. His artwork has been exhibited widely in the United States and Canada and published in numerous websites, independent zines, books and magazines such as Cloth Paper Scissors, Artful Blogging, Somerset Studio, and CPS Studios. He is very active in the creative community, and the voice behind The Altered Page, a visual journal of his own artwork, photography and collaborative projects, as well as a showcase for artists he admires and his creative experiences in NYC. His first book, The Pulse of Mixed Media: Secrets and Passions of 100 Artists Revealed, was released by North Light Books in March 2012. He can also be found on two mixed media workshop DVDs, released in June 2012 by North Light Media and is currently working on his second book, due to be released in December 2013.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books (March 31, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 144031070X
• ISBN-13: 978-1440310706
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 0.5 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #360,569 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Seth Apter is a mixed-media artist, author, and instructor from New York City. His artwork has been exhibited in numerous exhibitions throughout the United States and Canada and can be found in multiple books, independent zines, and national magazines including Somerset Studio, Cloth Paper Scissors, Studios, Artful Blogging and Somerset Apprentice.

He is the voice behind The Altered Page, a visual journal of his own artwork and photography, as well as a showcase for artists he admires and his creative experiences in NYC. He has developed several large scale, international collaborative art projects, including The Disintegration Collaboration (DisCo) and The Pulse, the latter of which forms the basis for his first book, "The Pulse of Mixed Media" which was released by North Light Books in March 2012. He is also the artist behind two workshop DVDs released in June 2012 by North Light Media: "Easy Mixed Media Surface Techniques" and "Easy Mixed Media Techniques for the Art Journal". His second book, "The Mixed Media Artist: Art Tips, Tricks, Secrets and Dreams From Over 40 Amazing Artists", will be released by North Light Books in October 2013.

To learn more about Seth, visit The Altered Page at www.thealteredpage.blogspot.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing look into the minds of many artists March 22, 2012

By S. Lee

Format:Paperback

Heads up, guys. A new book is in town and it's one of the best books on the relationship of the artist and his/her work I've put my hands on in a good long while.

In Seth's first (amazing) book, "The Pulse of Mixed Media: Secrets and Passions of 100 Artists Revealed" he has curated a beautifully diverse group of artist not only in the mediums they work in, but also in age, gender, life experiences, and aesthetics. The book is full of juicy artwork and equally as thirst-quenching q&a's by the artists. The questions Seth asked the artists are extremely relevant especially today with the added complication that a public persona through the internet can be as an artist. I especially love pages 122-123. The question Seth presents there is "Is creativity built-in, learned, or both?" The answers are all so perfectly penned. (I was going to share a favorite but they are all amazing for different reasons.)

The questions Seth presents to the contributing artists are so centering in that they slide right in to the heart of what it means to be an artist and the aspects of life and identity that we have the experience of juggling more in the forefront than our non-artist counterparts. I love that so many perspectives are shared and yet there is the commonality of authenticity in each and every answer. If you are looking for a non-how-to book and more of a thoughtful conversation between artists about what it's like on the inside of the artist mind, this is a fantastic choice. New and seasoned artists alike will benefit from asking themselves the same questions Seth presents in the books therefore resulting in a more authentic expression.

Well done, man!

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It's Alive! (and kicking) March 13, 2012

By S. Fishburn VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Seth Apter's blog-gone-book will be the subject of art talk viral and actual for months to come. Maybe it's inevitable that an artist with a Ph.D in psychology would always want/try to peel the proverbial onion when it comes to his art cohorts and peers, but Seth always takes it a step further and digs ever deeper with questions seeking answers cathartic and confessional. He pushes the limits in such a gently gracious manner - no it's NOT cleverly diabolical! And artists respond. Obstacles, emotions, choices. Secrets, fears, desires, anger. The depths are plumbed. The book serves up 133 artists (and their diverse and wonder-full art) on a gorgeously graphic platter of layout and design. Dozens of questions are answered in more and less detail in the first two sections of the book by 31 featured artists, and the additional (100+) artists are highlighted in the final third section, with responses to still more questions presented statistically by percentage. Danny Gregory, Angela Cartwright, Michelle Ward, Robert Maloney, and Julie Prichard are a few of the fantastic artists Seth has brought together in another deliciously crafted North Light Books publication.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique and wonderful March 22, 2012

By art monster

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is the most refreshing book about art and artists I have seen published in quite some time. Not only does Mr. Apter present beautiful images for us to look at, he also, as a PHD in psychology, presents the world of art through the artists every thought. We travel through the creative process, in it's most intimate details. Art therapy presented in a pure and easy to read way. Kudos to Seth Apter, for opening up the mind of the artist!