In This House: A Collection of Altered Art Imagery and Collage Techniques [Paperback]

Angela Cartwright (Author), Sarah Fishburn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2007

A beautiful collection of collage art and techniques exploring the theme of home

In This House showcases a collaborative art project that explores innovative altered art and collage techniques by top mixed media artists. Using the theme of "home," each artist designed five altered art rooms to complete an individual 9"x12" 'house' that closes like a book or can stand accordion style. Each house is a part of a larger whole; a neighborhood of twelve unique and fascinating art-full houses, varying in execution, theme, and style, yet united as part of the larger neighborhood. Each "house" is a unique interpretation on the theme, reflecting the artist's style and incorporating the mixed media techniques for which each artist is most well known. The thirteen artists have created an inspiring collage technique workbook for readers. The back of the book includes a blank "house" template and a clip-art gallery of home-themed imagery that readers can alter and use in their own collage work.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Angela Cartwright's art and photography is exhibited and collected internationally. Her unique techniques are explored in her book Mixed Emulsions (Quarry 2007).  Known for her acting roles in Make Room for Daddy, The Sound of Music, and Lost In Space, she curates A Studio Gallery in Los Angeles, California where she makes her home and garden.

Sarah Fishburn describes her work as mixed-media narrative. Her art has been featured in numerous magazines and a shelf full of books. She lives and gardens in the foothills of the Rockies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Quarry Books (July 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592533612
• ISBN-13: 978-1592533619
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 9.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #894,434 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisite and Unique book for all artists to learn from, August 20, 2007

By 

Jean Yates "jean, jewelry designer, book and... (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: In This House: A Collection of Altered Art Imagery and Collage Techniques (Paperback)

I am a jewelry designer, attempting to branch out, for fun, into mixed media. I was immediately attracted to this book because of the appealing cover, and, additionally, because I am familiar with the authors. Angela Cartwright and Sara Fishburn are already well known in the art world. They imbue beauty and energy into their projects.

I particularly liked the fact that I received a template in this book so that I might design my own house, just like the ones the reader can wander all over, here and there and everywhere, in the world created within this book.

"A Collection of Altered Art Imagery and Collage Techniques" is the subtitle for In This House. However it is much more. If you liked fairy tales as a child for example, you will fall in love with the manner in which the authors have laid out this book.

To begin with, in order to unite the artists who participated by creating individual houses, each house with its separate style and name, there is a map, entitled "Shortcut through the Neighborhood", so you can see where you will be off to.

I sometimes wonder: what is a house?

To me, a house is representative of a person's soul, identity, dreams and hopes. To gather together in a community such as the one these authors present, the work of a number of artists, all designing the art/dream houses they choose for themselves, is an illumination. It is more than just what altered art can be. It is a mirror held up concerning what humanity is, for us to see. It is what we are and can be.

The houses, which are named by each artist, ("A Family House", "The Wonderland House", etc.) unfold from the same template so the reader can see how they are set up and how the designs are arranged upon each one. There are artist's tips and explanations. There are lists of raw materials, such as fluid acrylics, jumbo rick rack, and rusted found objects.

There are many quotes in this book, some of which moved me intensely. Here is one: "home is heaven for beginners" --Channing Pollock.

The illustrations, which are by Alice Scott-Morris, bring everything together in a delightful way. It isn't cutesy, nor is it pretentious. It's a really nice job. A gift from a bunch of super artists.

You have to look long and hard at In This House, even study it, in a sense, for it to impart you all the potential there is has within it. That potential might help draw out the beauty you have within you. It is worth owning In This House, as it is a terrific book with a truly unique and lovely concept behind it.

30 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a book that I will go back to time and time again, July 2, 2007

By 

Belinda Spiwak "Crazy Art Girl" (Aurora, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In This House: A Collection of Altered Art Imagery and Collage Techniques (Paperback)

It was very interesting to see the different styles of each artist. The picts were a very big size so you could see all the details. Some of the techniques used on the houses were explained. There were a lot of tips, quotes, and how-to facts. I really liked how the book was arranged. You got to find out a little bit about each artist and the type of art she does. You can tell that they all have their definite styles. I will keep going back to this book to glean ideas for my own artwork. A lot of the techniques used on the houses can be translated into other types of collages and mixed media art. There is a bonus at the end of the book: a house template and collage images that you can use in your own artwork. The collage images are really nice color images. I can think of lots of things that I can do with that! Whether you do mostly ATCs, fat books, collages, textile art, or other mixed media art, there is something in this book for you!

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Innovative Spectacle of Delight!, July 21, 2007

By 

Deb Trotter "Cowboy's Sweetheart" (Cody, WY United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: In This House: A Collection of Altered Art Imagery and Collage Techniques (Paperback)

At last, a ground breakng book in the world of mixed media! "In This House" takes you on a "home tour" unlike any you have ever experienced. The book is your tour guide into (to name a few) a stark, gothic mansion; a nostalgic family home; a French art studio; a crystal like, snow conservatory; a mosaic miasma of photographic delight. After the home tours of 13 innovative artists, you are allowed to peek into their heads and delight in some of the secrets that define their inimitable styles. Alluring photography, enticing artwork, and captivating writing are simply icing on the cake. Angela Cartwright and Sarah Fishburn are to be commended for introducing us to some new talent, as well as envisioning a book that blends art and technique without screaming "how to" instructions at its readers. Purchase your "ticket" to this home tour, and you're sure to fall in love with every house in the neighborhood.