Somerset Place

Picture a worn book, its weathered pages telling stories of a bygone era, now infused with a vibrant new identity. What was once a vessel of literature has turned into a canvas for creativity. Altered books are a distinctive mixed-media art form that can seamlessly blend ingenuity, upcycling, and storytelling. Read on to discover the beauty of book alteration, its techniques, and ideas for making altered book art.Table of Contents… Read more

Found object art began to take shape in 1912 when Picasso made his cubist constructions from various scavenged materials, adding such things as matchboxes and newspapers. Dada and surrealist artists then made extensive use of found objects. And now, the art form continues to thrive among mixed-media artists. Read on for 10 unique found objects to use in your mixed-media art.What is Found Object Art? Found obje… Read more

As artists push the boundaries of traditional mediums, new avenues of creativity open up. Mixed-media art has emerged as a testament to this boundless creativity. It's the fusion of diverse materials, techniques, and ideas, leading to dynamic, multi-dimensional masterpieces. But not all mixed-media is the same. In this exploration, we delve into what mixed-media is and uncover the differences that define each type.What Is Mixed-Media Art?… Read more

Did you know the term "collage" comes from the French word "coller," which means "to glue"? Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, two instrumental figures in the Cubist movement, coined the word in the  early 20th century. Since then, collage art has challenged traditional artistic representations and allowed artists to break free from the constraints of realism. Learn more about collage art in this blog, where we will delve into thi… Read more

We'll make a confession — we love to cut up books. It may sound barbaric, but there is something immensely satisfying about cutting up a book that you were forced to read in school, or a book that you totally hated. These books find new life in mixed-media canvas, card making projects, and art journal pages. No scrap goes to waste and beautiful artwork is created in the process. Best Places to Find Old Books: Thrift Shops Library Sal… Read more