Synopses & Reviews
This large format, full-color, inspirational book, now in paperback, is about how artists use their collections to make artwork. The gallery-style format allows readers to see what artists collect, and the resulting spectacular artwork they make from it. The book features the collections and the artwork of forty major mixed-media artists. The artwork includes journals, assemblages, altered books, as well as jewelry pieces, and detailed descriptions of the materials and techniques used, plus tips and insights into using unusual materials and collections.
Mixed-media artists are naturally collectors. They are fascinated by the stuff of life, and they are always looking for the right elements to add to their collages and journals. This book offers a juicy combination—sort of a walk through an artist-filled flea market, and a gallery of the pieces created using these collections with tips and insights on collecting and creating, and how they go hand in hand.
Review
Perrella, Lynne. Art Making, Collections and Obsessions: An Intimate Exploration of the Mixed-Media Work and Collections of 35 Artists. Quarry: Quayside. 2008. 160p. photogs. ISBN 978-1-59253-363-3. $26.99. FINE ARTS Perrella (Beyond Paper Dolls) features creative uses by 35 artists of found and collected objects such as buttons, shells, textiles, photos, suitcases, utensils, and other castoffs that are given second lives in art projects. Examples of each artistÆs works are displayed on a colorful double-page spread, with large photo reproductions and commentary that includes quotations from writers and musicians. Some of the most innovative and clever applications are wedding-cake-box sculptures, worn and painted gloves, and outlandishly decorated corsets and military garb. Instead of serious intellectual art, this is more a showcase of works by artists having fun with trinkets and treasured ephemera. Contact information and artist web sites are included at the back. A popular crafts addition suitable for many public collections.
Russell T. Clement, Northwestern Univ. Lib., Evanston, IL, Library Journal, April 2008
About the Author
Lynne Perrella is an artist, author, and workshop instructor. Her art interests include collage, assemblage, art journals, and one-of-a-kind books. Her first two books, Artists' Journals and Sketchbooks and Alphabetica were published by Quarry. Her third book, Beyond Paper Dolls came out in September 2006 by Stampington. She contributes articles to a variety of magazines, including Sketchbooks, Martha Stewart's Body + Soul, and Mary Englebreit's Home Companion. Her work has appeared in various books on mixed media including: Collage for the Soul, True Colors, Crafting Personal Shrines, Altered Books, The Complete Guide to Altered Imagery, Quilted Memories, and others. Lynne also appears in the documentary film, "1000 Journals". She conducts creativity workshops at venues throughout the United States and abroad. She exhibits collage and assemblage at galleries throughout the Berkshires in western Massachusetts. Her website is www.LKPerrella.com.