Customer Reviews

Wide Open: Inspiration and Techniques for Art Journaling on the Edge (Book & Card Kit)

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I bought this set on a whim, knowing only as much about it as the Amazon description offered. These seem like wonderful journaling creativity boosters! I didn't read all the cards yet, because I want them to be fresh when I use them for prompts. I am already excited to start using this. My sole complaint is that the accompanying journal is not spiral bound. I love the backgrounds provided, but I am less likely to work in a book when it doesn't lay flat and I have to fight with it to keep it open. Plus a spiral binding allows you to leave the book open if something needs to dry. But that is a small quibble, as the star of this set is the creativity cards. They look so great, it might even be fun to collage a few of them right into your journal. I will definitely be picking up a couple more of these as gifts.

I own most of the books out there on visual journaling. This set is by far the most unique and offers very original ideas on stretching your imagination. I can't say enough good about it. I love the ability to hold Randi's journal page samples in my hand. I was inspired to finally find a use for the magazine "people" images I had tucked away.

This book has a strong emphasis on photographic expression. I loved that as I'm a devout follower of all things [...]. But it should probably be noted at least.

Beautiful gift idea for any type of artist. One of my new favorites along with Karen Michael's Altered Imagery book.

This is a real sleeper. I haven't seen it advertised anywhere,and have never seen it in a bookstore, but it is not to be missed! Her website is also very cool. Check out this artist if you want to really loosen up your artmaking!

When I first ordered it, I thought I would be getting a "book". Instead I got a sturdy and beautifully constructed box containing a deck of art journaling ideas, and a notebook too beautiful to write in. On the front of each card is a journal page loaded with messages, photos, colors, patterns, images, textures, drawings, or a combination of visual & textual elements. Each time I looked at one of these cards, I found something new or different. Written on the back of each card are the author's personal stories/observations, some amusing anecdotes, and desription of different techniques, some for creating new ways of observing and recording daily experiences, some for getting out of mental rut when it comes to not knowing what to write, draw, or even take a picture. And the notebook contained in this box was meant to be written in, but each time I opened the book, the colors started to sing, and I could not bring myself to impose upon these wonderful visual harmonies with my own cacophonic writings, drawings, or collages. Perhaps some day I will have to learn how to work in harmony with these beautiful colors by pulling out and reading one of these cards to help me overcome this hurdle. I am so glad that these deck of cards are not bound together as this format enables me to pull one out randomly so that I can read in my car while waiting for the traffic light to turn green. It's very portable and a great way to utilize our waiting times to improve our observational skills for journaling.

I bought this based on the recommendations of the other readers here and am glad I did.
This is definitely a different spin on the concept of art journaling. I am heartily sick of art journals that have endlessly recycled "vintage ephemera" and use the words "believe," "dream," etc. ad nauseam. Spare me!
This little kit is about learning how to take chances, getting rid of the usual stuff and being original, even if it's crap! As the author quotes a teacher of hers "Give yourself permission to have a book full of ugly pictures." How else are you gonna learn!? And from time to time, come up with something good?
I was unsure about the usefulness of the little journal that goes with the cards but was irresistibly drawn to adding my own stuff to the already colored pages.

I noticed that there was a 1 star review of "Wide Open...". No offense, reviewer, but clearly you don't have a clue. Yes, the cards in the set are sort of vague -- if you are looking for step-by-step instructions for making something, don't waste your money on this. And, yes, you do need to own... and have some very basic knowledge of... art supplies (again, no offense, but if you've been within spitting distance of an art supply or craft store, then you'll know what gesso is).

[Ok, stepping off my soap box and done with the snarky comments.] Randi Feuerhelm-Watts is such an inspiration! I love her style and the ideas for inspiration that she presents on the cards go way beyond some of the tired, old suggestions that seem to always crop up in art/craft publications.

I read all the cards in one sitting (because I'm obsessive like that!) and I did notice that some of them related to each other. Not that they are dependent on each other or that you would be lost if you pick them at random... but I did observe some links between the individual ideas. I think this is great for continuing themes in your art work. Also, while she references photography quite a bit (she is a photographer after all), I definitely do not feel that any of the ideas are pigeonholed by the techniques. The author's basic ideas translate really well no matter what kind of visual artwork you might do.

The cards themselves each feature snippets of the author's artwork on the back. This alone is incredibly inspirational. You almost get double the bang for your buck - pull out one of the cards to interpret the visual side and then come back to it later for inspiration from the narrative side.

My only complaint would be about the Creativity Notebook... I wouldn't really call it a complaint, persay. I guess I'm just ambivalent about it's inclusion in the set. On one hand she has provided some great backgrounds to help you combat "white page syndrome" as well as some random instructions to offer a jump start to someone who is new to visual journaling. But on the other hand, I don't see myself personally using it since I already have half a dozen journals and prefer to make my own backgrounds (once you get on a roll, its half the fun).

The ideas and techniques are presented in Randi's conversational style, along with her great little stories. While I have not had the pleasure of taking a class with her or meeting her, she comes across as the kind of person you'd love to have as an art friend because she'd always be inspiring and challenging. I think that's the greatest thing about this kit... she's managed to package a ton of her personality and a lot of what I imagine she teaches in her workshops into one cool product. This set definitely gets a front row spot on my art-bookshelf.

That's what you'll be doing if you get this cool box stuffed with 50 cards and a small blank journal. Acutally it's not really blank since it has painted/stamped, inked up pages ready to write, doodle, take notes, or tear out and use in your own art journal. I dig dig dig these cards! It's like getting to take a peek into someone's art journal - a really cool one at that. I've ordered art journal type books before that have been regular good sized books and enjoyed them too, but there's just something about these cards and the way you can pick them up and really examine them that I love. The writing on the back is the icing on the cake - less technique driven and more essay-like it is inspiring and REAL.

I have read quite a few books now on art journaling. I am an avid scrapbooker and I figured I could just jump into this easily. Boy was I wrong! Most books are very inspiring but give you no starting point. You don't feel confident enough to bust open that new blank journal after reading them.

Not so with this book! I read one card and went for it! I 'gave myself permission to be mediocre'. I let go and stopped worrying about making that perfect page. What a freeing experience. This book changed my whole view of art journaling and even daily routines. If you need help getting started or just want some fresh inspiration, grab it!!

Randi's journal deck is both inspiring and refreshingly unique. While there are a lot of journal technique books out there, many tend to approach journaling from a similar perspective, utlizing techniques that have been around for some time. Randi's book is totally unique and her prompts are different from anything I have seen in other books. The artwork on each card also serves as a tremendous inspiration. I have been journaling for many years, own LOTS of journaling books and I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone looking for something fresh and inspiring!

This kit provides great ideas wonderfully illustrated with the author's
artwork. The hands on glossy cards provide an extra element of interaction
I have not found in other books of this nature. The multilayered art style
is a palette feast for the eyes. I found the author's personal stories very
engaging and found myself wishing to share my own in a similar way. Highly
recommended!