Beyond Paper Dolls: Expressive Paper Personas Crafted with Innovative Techniques and Art Mediums (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The publisher of Somerset Studio and Art Doll Quarterly is proud to present Beyond Paper Dolls, a new publication dedicated to expressive paper personas crafted with innovative techniques and art mediums. Artist, author and designer Lynne Perrella, has invited over 50 mixed media artists to contribute to this book of over-the-top imaginative interpretations of the human form. Far more than paper dolls, this selection of thought-provoking and innovative "paper personas" will awaken your urge to make artwork that is meaningful, expressive, and full of story-telling.

With creative chapter headings such as "Inner Visions", "Curtain Up!", "Celebrations", "Fetish Figures" and more - get ready to immerse yourself in colors, textures, found objects, paint, fabric, fibers, metal and that eternal favorite paper. In addition, each chapter will also include a "Details Dossier" revealing the artists' techniques for creating the work, and giving you countless clues for using mixed media supplies, as well as spy-glass close-up views of the art to satisfy your inquiring mind.

Pull up your favorite chair, keep a sketchbook close at hand, enjoy the creative banquet served up by over 50 well known artists, and then start plotting how YOU plan to go "beyond paper dolls".

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Stampington and Company (2006)
• ISBN-10: 0971729689
• ISBN-13: 978-0971729681
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #68,101 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Paper Dolls in the Emerald City, or, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore! , November 19, 2006

By	S. Fishburn (Fort Collins, Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A feast for the eyes and spirit, Beyond Paper Dolls could not be richer or more sumptuous. The book has been edgily compiled (and written and contributed to) by Lynne Perrella, whose skill in bringing together large and diverse communities of artists to create to particular themes is renowned.

Most of the "paper dolls" in this book, while occasionally paper, and in general, loosely fitting the definition of doll, push the envelope in ways that will inspire and delight anyone with even a passing interest in the human figure as art.

Vivacious and luscious colors and textures abound - the photographs of each artists' project(s) almost jump off the page - just short of 3-d. From Michelle Ward's fashionable Zelda Fitzgerald - complete with playing cards - to Deb Trotter's Buffalo Bill Cody shrine, the art created for this book shimmers and pulses with personalities, of the author, the artists and their subjects.

I would be remiss to not give a nod of approval to the design and production of this nice thick volume. The backgrounds stand on their own, the quotes and typography add additional interest, and the layout, while easy on the eyes, is never static.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A New View of an Old Love, November 19, 2006

By	Carol C. Parks "Art Freak" (Studio City, California United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have been a paper doll nut since I was a child. I consider myself to be a very creative person and very jaded when it comes to new ideas. Lynne Perrella, however, really got me on this project. It was not what I expected. Yet again, she has gathered an amazing group of artists in this book. It was six weeks ago when I reviewed this book. I am still dreaming nightly of paper doll projects! CP...artist, author and publisher of Art Freak, a zine

28 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars * "beyond Paper Dolls" . . .. to Disappointment*, October 20, 2007

By	mcHaiku "nmi" (Brown County INDIANA) - See all my reviews

Here comes an unpopular opinion: In a way it seems ironic to me because I reviewed (#140006161x) with a similar theme a year ago, receiving favorable responses. This book is more free-wheeling; it is waaay beyond what a buyer might expect from the lengthy sub-title. Fashion comes to the forefront in book publishing & design nowadays; if editors guide the contributors toward restraint this will bring their craft more credibility.

This is Lynne Perrella's book, containing at least 28 pages of her designs. She is designated as author, photo stylist and co-art director, and possibly had veto power over her editor's decisions.

If you purchase this book sight unseen, especially if choosing a child's gift, or in a fever of nostalgia, I pity you. Today a flair with graphics, scissors & glue stix plus a lively conceit seems to be all it takes to put someone's name on the cover of a book. YES, that's a rude remark, but come on - when someone is paying $62.48 (as of 10-21-07) plus tax & p/h, couldn't there be a satisfactory hint of age range, and editing that respects the audience? Some of these "assemblages" do not really relate to each other or even to the book's sub-title and seem to suffer from a case of "aren't-we-clever-itis"?

Many show talent with using ephemera & sumptuous colors and fabrics. Perhaps the market for books about collage is saturated requiring the theme to be twisted in a different direction? Some of the ideas used would be more convincing as "art" if scaled down to the size of "A.T.C.s" (# 1592533345), OR, at the other end of the spectrum: as kite designs?!

Craft enthusiasts eagerly read reviews. Many will judge these paragraphs as being 'off in left field' - but a balance of opinion is not a bad thing, and presumably Amazon makes this space available so that perception is less skewed.