Mixed Media Book Art
For quite some time I’ve been wanting to try my hand at a mixed media art book. When my friend gave me a blank journal book, I decided to alter it and to see where it lead.
My initial decision was to change the interior, gluing all the pages together. But first, I cut a “window” from the first 20 or so pages.
Click any image for a larger view.
Although I like the look of this, it was quite a bit of work, so I don’t recommend it.
After my cutting and gluing, I painted everything with a layer of gesso, inside and out.
Next, I wrote on the pages, and collaged some papers on.
I planned this project for a time when I was away from home, caring for a loved one. I purposely didn’t pack paper,
preferring instead to gather them at my destination. Since I spent a lot of my time in a hospital, many of the papers,
as well as my own written comments, hinted at the medical nature of the trip.
The front/back of the book got the same writing and collage treatment.
Next, I applied a thin coat of modeling (molding) paste to the front/back, and textured it with a variety of objects.
The opaque modeling paste also helped obscure the collaged items, an effect that I wanted.
Next comes paint. Can’t wait!
Ellen Lindner
