Unfurling, A Mixed-Media Workshop with Misty Mawn: Inspiration and Techniques for Self-Expression through Art [Paperback]

Misty Mawn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2011

Unfurling is a creative workshop in book form, offering a unique mix of motivation and technique exercises to get your creative juices flowing. Written by Misty Mawn, these pages will inspire anyone who wishes to open up more to the process of making art. 

The book begins with art exercises in drawing and painting that include portraiture, contour drawing, backgrounds, layering, and working with a still life, followed by collage and image transfer techniques. The second section offers exercises and projects in stamp carving, paper pottery, sculpture, origami, paper doll making, and surface design. These tactile explorations offer an enjoyment of the process as well as wonderful handmade projects. The last section shares a variety of approaches to visual journaling. There are instructions for binding your own journal, prompts and ideas for working on your pages, and a variety of exercises using photography and poetry as ways to inspire and inform your journal keeping.  You'll also find a set of gift book plates and a beautiful paper doll designed by the author and printed on perforated cardstock in the back of the book.

Tap into your inner creativity and explore new artistic processes with Unfurling!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Misty Mawn is a mixed-media artist, a vocational photographer, international workshop instructor, and passionate mother. When she is not busy singing out loud in her studio, she is most likely found amusing her two children, inventing in the kitchen, or looking for treasures. She has been published in a variety of magazines and books, and she writes the popular blog mistymawn.typepad.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Quarry Books (June 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592536883
• ISBN-13: 978-1592536887
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.5 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #44,482 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #29 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Mixed-Media

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

140 of 158 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Video Review May 20, 2011

By BeachBrights TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Length: 2:46 Mins

45 of 48 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Incredible May 25, 2011

By Judy Wise

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

When I heard that Misty was including so many topics under one cover I was concerned that her book might look unfocused but boy was that not the case. She has gone into depth in the areas of painting, journaling, book making, mixed media collage and more; honestly, it is hard to put into words how stunning and comprehensive this book is. It is not just a class in a book it is weeks of classes in one book. This is a beautiful, soulful, deeply inspiring book and I can't recommend it enough.

67 of 75 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Sure I wont be popular, but.... January 25, 2012

By Queen Mo

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I see many of the review are written by Misty Mawn fans. I can see why many would be fans of her work. But doing great work does not necessarily make for a great teacher, or ability to write a great book on mixed-media "workshops".

Some of the book I like, but was not up to the quality of Misy Mawn's work, and I see nothing at all new.

Content consists of:
-The first 40 page on how to draw and/or paint. You cannot teach drawing, light and shadow, how to mix "skin tone" colors in only 40 pages. There are reasons that whole books, college majors, etc are devoted to this SKILL...hardly a "technique" IMO. And for many who are not comfortable drawing, this is big drawback (those who are, dont need this big section). I truly wished she HAD glossed over HOW to draw (which she really is not qualified to teach, IMO - got my degree in illustration, so that may color my view), and talked more about how to incorporate your drawings and paintings into mixed media projects: inspire me to use pencil and water color and paints together. What do the mediums do when blended...inspire me to try colored pencils that become water color paint when mixed with wet medium, etc. WHAT DO THE MEDIUM DO? How can I manipuate them seems more appropriate and not intimate people depending on their varying skills with drawing.
-I really dong want to learn how to make a coil clay pot (definitley not mixing media here), or how to sculpt a doll out of paper clay. I want to know how to MIX these with other media (that IS the title of the book)
-An origami section on how to fold a happiness crane, under origami. That is all she diagrams how to do, and shows photos of other, simple (MUCH more original and fun) folded things. FOUR pages on how to fold a Crane...yikes. Again...no examples of how to MIX them into other Media.
-One section gave a VERY basic bookbinding lesson. Again...something that I would buy a book or take a class dedicated to this subject. Not a handful of pages. I was disappointed to learn how to make a basic, white paged book with a black cover. Why not combine a skill with actually MIXING media? Would have at least, incorporated some visual inspiration.
-And once again, there is a lesson on transfer with Gel medium (not particularly original, and sadly the only image transfer taught).

I feel like she is trying to NOT show any of her "SECRETS". How did she do....? is what I would love to see. Give me a demo on a GREAT piece you made. I can figure out how to achieve the drawing or computer or sculpting skills on my own. I would have loved to see techniques that were truly MISTY MAWN. Not techniques that any first year art teacher would teach you.

An artist who inspires so many with her work, really did not seem to have her "A" game on here. For basic art lessons to inspire you to learn more from other sources: this is a fine book.

I would definitely have NOT bought this book had I seen it in person first.

(I am sure I will get some "hate" comments since MIsty's fans seen to have really stacked the reviews here...but this is what I see, and sadly disappointed).