Customer Reviews

True Vision: Authentic Art Journaling

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

 

 

This is the best book on art journaling to come out in years. Unlike some of the other recent books on this topic, the work presented is interesting, sophisticated, and artful. The instruction is for serious art journalists who have already done some art journaling and is not "dumbed down." The author presents a broad range of work, much of which is by well-known and popular teachers in this genre, but also includes many worthy newcomers. The layout and graphics are inviting and spacious, and the text is worth reading. Ludwig has a soulful and poetic narrative voice. The feeling tone which she brings to her writing is wonderful; she has the courage to celebrate work that goes beyond "pretty." One of my favorite aspects of the book are the in-depth interviews with some of the featured journalists, especially the ones with Juliana Coles and Traci Bunkers. There are many suggestions in the book which can be used to launch new journal pages, many beautiful quotes, and helpful "art activity" suggestions run vertically along the right hand page edge. My only criticism of the book focuses on the poor editing of the text--major bloopers! Captions are attached to the wrong pictures, paragraphs are repeated, lines are missing in one or two cases. The editor who worked on this book needs a scolding for such carelessness! Inspite of errors in presentation, this book is very inspiring and beautiful. A must for any library of art journaling books. I give it four stars.

Maybe it's because my copy is from the second printing, but I didn't find the glaring editing mistakes another reviewer was appalled to find. I noticed a typo or two but that was the extent.
True Vision packs a hefty punch. It will appeal to a mixed audience. There are basic and innovative prompts (on every other page) geared to those just discovering the world of art journaling, or making a leap from traditional scrapbooking to a deeper and/or more complex style. The written material is excellent. L.K.'s observations are thought-provoking and her instructions detailed, which will please everyone. She's collected a smashing selection of illustrative pages from the diverse journals of 3 dozen artists working in a wide array of media/styles. There are in-depth interviews with Katie Kendrick, Bee Shay, Traci Bunkers, Loretta Marvel, and Julianna Coles, artists who have made their names on the strength of their journal pages alone.
In addition to specific techniques like inkjet image transfers and blind contour drawing, there are sections on developing personal 'symbols' and journaling on subjects of global impact. L.K. included a Vision Deck, a set of word prompt cards to spark any art journaler's creative fire.

If you have ever wanted to keep an art journal, this book is a great resource. If you are already an artist making journals, this will help you kick it up a notch.

L.K. Ludwig's new book is full of interesting prompts and ideas to take you past your fear of the blank page and fill you with excitement, as well as inspiration. The photography is great - the artist journals featured here are exciting and inspiring.

This is not really a beginner's book - "how to prime a page, how to create a background" - it assumes a certain knowledge of techniques and materials. But it has incredible journal pages by featured artists which will have ideas popping into your head and onto your blank pages.

There are plenty of instructions, in addition to the prompts and questions, to help you incorporate feelings and events from your daily life into your jounal. It's an exciting book!

Out of the recent crop of journaling books I think this one is probably the best, or at least the one marginally in line with my personal affinities and taste in this type of art.

A good few pages of what I buy journaling books for, i.e. Juliana Coles and Traci Bunkers journal spread pics. My conscience tells me I should perhaps criticize on the grounds that the work of these two and a couple of other artists in this book appear in just about every non-fluffy book on art journaling, but why criticize when it's actually the selling point for me?

There's also some pretty baby-based borderline-scrapbooky type journaling (can there be non-pretty baby pages? probably not) and some other work that's kind of neat. To be fair, art journaling has pretty much been exposed in recent years and one gets used to what's being done, so perhaps innovation or "newness!" isn't the thing to look for anymore. This is a pretty good book of this type, and much less overpoweringly pastel and floral than some of the other newer journaling books are.

Hoping this is to recommend with faint praise rather than damn with it. I needed a journaling fix and this book pulled through. If you prefer the artier, non-pretty stuff (wish there was more of it), this book is there for you, but if you like the pretties, there's some of that, too.

For those that do not know what ART JOURNALING is all about, then this book will certainly help to define the subject.

If you are a beginner or even a mid-level Journal writer (or artist), I think that this book will come in very handy.

L.K.Ludwig gives a wonderful introduction to this special subject, in the first few Introductory pages.

Then, Ludwig follows-up the definition of "Artistic Journaling" by explaining how to use her book. For example, on the right hand side of each page, the author gives "prompts" to stimulate the reader's imagination. Then, inside a highlighted "box", the author gives TIPS on how to expand on each theme.

Also, on the bottom of some of the pages, the author gives more prompts (as fill-in the blanks) to the get the readers' creative juices going.

Along with all these "prompts" and "tips", each page shows these beautifully executed Journal pages by actual artists... All colorful and highly detailed.

Also, Ludwig categorizes the main chapters into the following: relationships, the written word, current events, places, spaces, self-explorations, spirituality, dreams, etc.

Therefore, this book by Ludwig will not only show some inspiring examples of Journal pages created by actual journal writers, but then Ludwig also gives the reader all the pre-requisite starting points in order to get the readers' creative juices going.

I think this is one of the best art journaling books to come along in a long time. Beautifully illustrated with exercises and prompts along the way to inspire you to work in your own journal. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it for anyone interested in expanding his or her art journaling wings.

Art journaling has become quite popular in the past 5+ years, as an outgrowth of DIY art activities in general - making your own greeting cards, altered books, scarpbooking, collage, ATCs (Artist Trading Cards). This is one of many books on this subject and one of the best. It has just enough discussion, suggestions and how to's to make it useful for people at any level. The important thing about making an artful journal is that it is for you and your self expression, not for commercial purposes, so don't get tied down with judging what you're doing. The questions are, does it help you in some way, does it express something valuable to your experience, does it feel good or peaceful to do something like this? If so, go ahead and explore this mixed media world.

I have to say right up front I am one of the artists in this book. But aside from that I am really enjoying this book. There are so many layers to it. You can enjoy it for the eye candy factor alone....or you can look at it as a place to go to inspire you in your own work. I am at the moment looking at certain pages as a challenge. I am going through the book with my journal turned to the "ideas" page and jotting down new ideas I want to try. LK is an amazing artist. I am always blown away by her work. She has a great artist's eye. I think this books is aimed at journalers who are more to the visual journaling side rather than say a scrap booking artist but the cool thing is that there is so much cross over influence now. The lines are blurring and this is good for all artists. Great job LK and thanks for including me.

As much as I love my Kindle, it just wouldn't do justice to this book. You will want a full color, paper edition that you can examine very closely, as it is packed to the gills with ideas. There is enough inspiration here to keep you buzzing for months!

This book really addresses speaking from your authentic self, which is how you get to a unique expression in your art journaling. She is a great teacherr.