Thursday, August 29, 2013

August had me reading this ARC entry

Darcy's Artful Readers Club (ARC) meets later today and this month I'm reviewing

Vintage Collage Works by Maryjo and Sunny Kock

Quarry Books, 2008. Softcover.
ISBN 13: 9781592533909
Publisher: Quarry Books
Publication Date: 2008
Binding: Softcover

It's definitely a softcover book, but it is packed with lots of vintage collages and assemblages.  

There are only three chapters, but don't let that fool you.

And even though the beginning of this book is like many other art books that don't specify the name of the tools, and 

although I had not heard of a few of the tools, I realized I had enough of the essentials, I would have no problem keeping up with the authors of this book.  A few things I had not heard of (under paints, mediums, varnishes) were Oxgall, and (under brushes) Scumbling or Filbert brush and Linear brush.

The first chapter covered vintage papers, which included

old letters and envelopes,

as well as postcards, and how to alter them.

Then there was scrap art, something I had never heard of before.  I read what it was, saw examples, and still had no idea what the authors were talking about.

Of course, wallpaper is something I really enjoy working with, as I do

vintage sheet music.

I have a ton of flash cards, although they are math and music related.  I would never have thought to alter them, though, so that was a fun surprise.

And I have a few old maps, but they may not be vintage.  However, I knew this was the chapter I would find my inspiration in.

I love old boxes, but I can't afford to buy cigar boxes. They are simply out of my price range.  Someone has learned they are used in art projects, so now all the cigar and liquor stores (where they are mostly found in my town) charge anywhere from $5.00 (USD) for cardboard to $15.00-$25.00 (USD) for wooden.  So as much as I would love to alter a box and turn it into a vintage masterpiece, I won't be doing that anytime soon.  At least not until I find less expensive boxes.

The final chapter deals with nature, which includes

more boxes, but this time with variations such as bird themes.

The authors even showed an example in an altered book, and a note card.

All that was left was page after page of lovely clip art the artists included. 
 

I'm sure the observant reader has noticed many of these pieces were used by the authors in their own artwork. 
 Although I really love what the authors shared, I have so much stuff I need to use, I prefer to alter my own ephemera and leave my printer ink for more important uses.
 Another thing I liked about this book was there were two writers/authors, mother and daughter Maryjo and Sunny Kock  All the artwork came from them, something you don't always see in books of this caliber or quality.  Oftentimes, authors ask others to share contribute their art, too, but that was not the case with this book. Reading through the credits (page 142), there are about equal entries from both artists.

Unlike last month, where I could not find anything inspiring to make, this month's ARC entry was sensory overload.

I began by gathering a few bits of ephemera I thought might work well together.

Last month I attempted a tape transfer that was unsuccessful.  I was hoping that would not be the case this month, so I started with the transfers using clear adhesive book covering.

I created a substrate of two pieces of cardboard (8 inches X 10 inches, or 20.32 centimeters X 25.4 centimeters) that I covered with vintage sheet music.  Here I've auditioned a couple of flowers I pressed.  Unfortunately, as much as I'd love to use them, I fear they are the wrong colors.  I also auditioned the clear buttons, but decided even if I colored them, they were not the vintage style I was looking for.

Although I fussy cut both birds from wallpaper samples, I was unhappy that they both faced the same direction.  I had some real decisions to make before I could call this a completed work of art.

Then I remembered the artists showed how to alter vintage postcards.  And although I was not inspired to alter them, I was inspired to use them.

And with that, the piece came together nicely.  Although a name for this piece eludes me, I think it contains a story only the reader can conjure up.

All that's left are a few detail shots.  Tape transfer on flash card, wallpaper bird on matching wallpaper fabric.

Postcard and fussy cut bird.

Another post card and tape transfer.

For the first time, I have to gladly give this book a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.  I was really impressed with the inspiration I got from it.

Next month I'll be reviewing:

Writing HOME by Cindy LaFerle


Thanks to everyone for reading this far.  I know my reviews are often far longer than most, but I probably shouldn't have picked so many photo heavy books to review.  Of course, I always appreciate it when you read through to the end.

Don't forget to visit Darcy for links to the other ARC reviewers.

24 thoughtful remarks:

dawn said...

Hello! What a nice surprise this was for me, a book review is always fun.
I want firstly to say thank you for making it so long, my posts can run long at times too but I like telling the whole story. HAPPILY, I read thru the end and loved every word of it.
WOW, how wonderful to be inspired by all they shared. I like the book too, postcards and flashcards are fun to play with.
I LOVE what you made, so pretty and the pieces all go together so well.
Glad you could find something to work with and create something you like.
Can't wait to see what the next book will inspire you with.
I just posted my PL pages and fit one of my cups in it and drew some more of them today, YAY!!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend, the muggy heat you've had is in our area now, YUCK!!

Darcy Marshall said...

so glad you finally found a really inspirational book, I love,love the butterfly transfer. I am mostly in love with all the cracks in it.Don't think I would buy the book, it is too similar to ones I already have, but it does look a great book full of inspiring fodder.

Caterina Giglio said...

awesome book review, E and the butterfly transfer is wonderful, I really like the crackled effect. your birds facing the same direction really enhanced the composition... looking forward to your next book review! x

Teri said...

Thanks for the great review... I just ordered the book! And thanks for dropping by my ARC post. You wouldn't believe how many bald eagles there are in AK. Hubby works on a fish processor ship that works along the Aluetian islands. One time he counted over 100 eagles perching on his ship and the two other ships next to his.

Rebeca Trevino said...

your REVIEW Books too?
OMG you are multi-talented!

i love the finished piece! it's beautiful E! now, i'm inspired to go make a collage. . .

ps: what is a 'fussy' cut bird?

Marianne said...

Elizabeth, I have several cigar boxes and I'll send you one if you want to alter it.

RuffHaven at gmail dot com

Helen said...

the book looks good, love the review and your art inspired by it is gorgeous - i love the butterfly too!

Gina said...

Wow! This book looks like the sort of thing I would buy stroke and keep just for drooling over :D Love that it inspired such a fabulous collage piece, and the tape transfer butterfly looks amazing :D XXX

Alison xx said...

Glad that you enjoyed your book, you can see from your amazing artwork who much it inspired you. Love it !! A xx

Linda Gibbons said...

Nice review, Elizabeth. It inspires me to want to read it--or at least, photocopy that fab clip art.
I love your collage, especially the tape transfers. I love the shabby look of them.

Darla said...

Great review and for me your posts are never too long, just informative. I think you convinced me this would be a useful book. I like what you created after being inspired by what you saw and read.

Darla

Darla said...

Great review and for me your posts are never too long, just informative. I think you convinced me this would be a useful book. I like what you created after being inspired by what you saw and read.

Darla

Nancy said...

Enjoyed the review and you collage is lovely!

Janet said...

I just love this book. My friend Jen has a copy and I read it every time I go and see her. So inspirational - amply illustrated by your wonderful vintage collage, beautifully done. Perhaps Father Christmas might bring me a copy!

Janet xx

abby j said...

Thanks for the great and complete review...looks like a good reference book! Your inspirational collage shows you certainly benefitted from reading the book!!

~*~Patty S said...

Nice book review E ... I actually have that book (a gift from my sister a few years ago) and you make me want to get it out again...
I always enjoy looking at photos in books and have every intention of going back and actually 'reading' the books...well life moves on as they say ;)
Your tape transfers look super to me and especially on the flash card which I also have a stash of...
Very nice collage results as always!
oxo
p.s. I need to go make something now...thank you very much!

Julie Lee said...

This is a great review! I was really inspired by it and by the art you produced. The colours were just fabulous. One question, Elizabeth - what are 'fussy' cut images? Are there special scissors or something for doing this, as I have seen it mentioned often. I haven't been crafting that long so lots of things are new to me - forgive my ignorance! Julie Ann xx

Craftymoose Crafts said...

This is a great review, and not too long. I appreciate all the info you shared. I could tell that this book was more inspiring for you than the last one. The collage you came up with is just perfect!

Halle said...

I haven't seen that book before. Nice that it was able to inspire you.

Sarah said...

A collage book I haven't come across before - that doesn't happen often so I was interested to read your detailed review. I am glad you enjoyed the book so much and the artwork you created inspired by the book is lovely! Especially that crackled butterfly

Jen said...

Super review. I have this book and often look through it for inspiration. I spent a very entertaining visit to a Canadian art store when I asked for a scumbling brush. I was visiting. They had not heard of it. I finally made what I think is one by cutting down a brush I had. It seems to do what they say. Love your collage, lots of elements to explore.
Jen x

SusieJ said...

Thank you, thank you for such a comprehensive review...this book will be going on my wishlist!
I love collage and yours is wonderful - all the different elements are beautiful in their own right but together they're inspirational.
Hugs xx

Sophie said...

Great review, I think I will investigate this book. Your collage is great, I love the butterfly x

Jez said...

Every word was interesting, and you gave a clear idea of what was in the book and your reaction to each section.
You really were inspired to create a great collage, and as you say the reader always invents her own story around all the elements. So much to include here in the story that has started in my mind.
I was interested in your comment about making a transfer with clear adhesive book covering - I've never heard of that method, how does that work? It gives a very effective result.