Hot Summer Reading Picks from our Editors

School’s out for summer, so now’s the time to get caught up on your extracurricular reading. Our expansive book collection features a variety of titles from artists and authors who infuse mixed-media art into their personal and professional lives. Check out what books are on our editors’ must-read summer lists.

Painted Pages
By Sarah Ahearn Bellemare

I’ve long admired the artwork of Sarah Ahearn Bellemare, and when her book, Painted Pages, came out, I couldn’t wait to read it! Sarah’s easy, breezy approach helps you hone in on your own unique style. She offers how-to techniques and creative prompts on using an artist’s sketchbook. She gently guides you to find your true artistic self and teaches you how to incorporate your creativity in a variety of ways. Sarah gives you a peek into her own personal process and shares tips and tricks along with lots of encouragement.

— Jana Holstein, Managing Editor

The Art of Personal Imagery
By Corey Moortgat

I absolutely love creating collages. There’s something about piecing together pictures, ephemera, and scraps of patterned paper that reflects who I am as an individual. When I saw Corey Moortgat’s book in our collection, I knew I had to flip through the pages. Each chapter describes different ways to personalize your collages using both trendy and original techniques. Corey invites her readers to explore their personal artistic style through this expressive art form. She encourages artists to experiment with different methods when altering mementos into keepsake art. Pick up this book if you want to try something new or just want to refresh your collage skills. This book provides an opportunity to learn how to capture those unforgettable moments and to discover a thing or two about yourself.

— Christine Stephens, Assistant Editor

The Artistic Mother
By Shona Cole

It’s a dilemma that plagues many artistic women – what happens to our creative energy once we become mothers? Oftentimes, amidst the all-encompassing needs of our children, our spouses, our friends, our jobs … there is little room left for ourselves. It’s easy to put creativity, and art, on the backburner when life gets busy. It’s easy to make the excuse that art is something we do for fun, and thus must be the first thing to go when hard work is required. Shona Cole debunks this misperception with her book The Artistic Mother. Art is not something we simply do for fun – art is the very thing that keeps an artistic mother sane. An artistic life is possible, even for the busy mother, and Shona will show you how. With her 12-week course, Shona shows mothers how to realistically bring art into their lives, in meaningful ways. She demonstrates 12 art projects that focus on the beauty of family, and includes personal essays from artistic mothers who make it work. You will also find a basic introduction to three forms of art: photography, mixed-media, and poetry. This book is a must-read for any mother looking to introduce art back into her life!

— Andrea Rangno, Managing Editor

And the Story Is Happening
By Sabrina Ward Harrison

Summer can be a time to add new books to your to-read list, but it can also be a time to re-read some of your favorites. I recently did an overhaul on my creative space and am finding myself spending a lot of time in there now. Sabrina Ward Harrison is one of my all-time favorite artists, and her book And the Story Is Happening is one of my favorite releases from the past year. It’s only natural that I’ve picked it up again to use as inspiration for my own artwork. I think if you pick up a copy of it, you’ll find yourself coming back to it time and time again.

— Christen Olivarez, Editor-in-Chief

Art at the Speed of Life
By Pam Carriker

I have had the absolute pleasure of working with artist Pam Carriker on a number of projects, so I was eager to immerse myself in her book. Art at the Speed of Life addresses the very problem that I run into when trying to create art — finding the time! Each mixed-media art project in the book is not only stunning, but also easy to complete in no time at all. I especially liked the section on creating multiple art journal backgrounds ahead of time, as sometimes I find that completing a page from start to finish can be daunting. I was also delighted to read Pam’s tips on time management and staying inspired, which were just what I needed to start creating!

— Amber Demien, Managing Editor

 

Check out more of our inspiring summer reads On the Shelf. Which one is next on your list?


Posted: Monday, June 18th, 2012 @ 10:34 am
Categories: Uncategorized.
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4 Responses to “Hot Summer Reading Picks from our Editors”

  1. Joan V says:

    Oooh, all these look fantastic. I just got into this mixed media and journals. I am having a field day with all the info and books. Wish I could afford more :(. Reading in knowledge and knowledge is power. And in my case, it is fun art :)
    Thanks for the book review. Just found your site because of a magazine I bought from Barnes and Noble. (Art Journaling). Love it.

    • Elysa says:

      Hi Joan! So glad that you discovered Stampington’s magazines. Art Journaling is one of my personal favorites :)

  2. Maureen says:

    These are going on my summer reading list for sure! Thanks for letting me know about them.

  3. I have 5 out of 6 of these books and I love them all! I’m especially smitten with Painted Pages, and I’m registered for the author’s Pages & Paint workshop that starts in July! Yes, my bookshelves look like the art & crafts section at Barnes & Noble! I will have add The Story is Happening to my wish list!

Jordan Uncategorized ,

School’s out for summer, so now’s the time to get caught up on your extracurricular reading. Our expansive book collection features a variety of titles from artists and authors who infuse mixed-media art into their personal and professional lives. Check out what books are on our editors’ must-read summer lists.

Painted Pages
By Sarah Ahearn Bellemare

I’ve long admired the artwork of Sarah Ahearn Bellemare, and when her book, Painted Pages, came out, I couldn’t wait to read it! Sarah’s easy, breezy approach helps you hone in on your own unique style. She offers how-to techniques and creative prompts on using an artist’s sketchbook. She gently guides you to find your true artistic self and teaches you how to incorporate your creativity in a variety of ways. Sarah gives you a peek into her own personal process and shares tips and tricks along with lots of encouragement.

— Jana Holstein, Managing Editor

The Art of Personal Imagery
By Corey Moortgat

I absolutely love creating collages. There’s something about piecing together pictures, ephemera, and scraps of patterned paper that reflects who I am as an individual. When I saw Corey Moortgat’s book in our collection, I knew I had to flip through the pages. Each chapter describes different ways to personalize your collages using both trendy and original techniques. Corey invites her readers to explore their personal artistic style through this expressive art form. She encourages artists to experiment with different methods when altering mementos into keepsake art. Pick up this book if you want to try something new or just want to refresh your collage skills. This book provides an opportunity to learn how to capture those unforgettable moments and to discover a thing or two about yourself.

— Christine Stephens, Assistant Editor

The Artistic Mother
By Shona Cole

It’s a dilemma that plagues many artistic women – what happens to our creative energy once we become mothers? Oftentimes, amidst the all-encompassing needs of our children, our spouses, our friends, our jobs … there is little room left for ourselves. It’s easy to put creativity, and art, on the backburner when life gets busy. It’s easy to make the excuse that art is something we do for fun, and thus must be the first thing to go when hard work is required. Shona Cole debunks this misperception with her book The Artistic Mother. Art is not something we simply do for fun – art is the very thing that keeps an artistic mother sane. An artistic life is possible, even for the busy mother, and Shona will show you how. With her 12-week course, Shona shows mothers how to realistically bring art into their lives, in meaningful ways. She demonstrates 12 art projects that focus on the beauty of family, and includes personal essays from artistic mothers who make it work. You will also find a basic introduction to three forms of art: photography, mixed-media, and poetry. This book is a must-read for any mother looking to introduce art back into her life!

— Andrea Rangno, Managing Editor

And the Story Is Happening
By Sabrina Ward Harrison

Summer can be a time to add new books to your to-read list, but it can also be a time to re-read some of your favorites. I recently did an overhaul on my creative space and am finding myself spending a lot of time in there now. Sabrina Ward Harrison is one of my all-time favorite artists, and her book And the Story Is Happening is one of my favorite releases from the past year. It’s only natural that I’ve picked it up again to use as inspiration for my own artwork. I think if you pick up a copy of it, you’ll find yourself coming back to it time and time again.

— Christen Olivarez, Editor-in-Chief

Art at the Speed of Life
By Pam Carriker

I have had the absolute pleasure of working with artist Pam Carriker on a number of projects, so I was eager to immerse myself in her book. Art at the Speed of Life addresses the very problem that I run into when trying to create art — finding the time! Each mixed-media art project in the book is not only stunning, but also easy to complete in no time at all. I especially liked the section on creating multiple art journal backgrounds ahead of time, as sometimes I find that completing a page from start to finish can be daunting. I was also delighted to read Pam’s tips on time management and staying inspired, which were just what I needed to start creating!

— Amber Demien, Managing Editor

 

Check out more of our inspiring summer reads On the Shelf. Which one is next on your list?