Ellen Lindner: Art & Creativity

I recently challenged my fiber art group to make mixed media art books.  Although I’m pretty new to this myself, I’m really intrigued by the creative possibilities they provide! 

One way to make such books is to alter an existing book.  That’s what I’ve done on the two I’ve created thus far.  My first altered book started with a child’s board book.

Click any image for a larger view.

For a recent project, I used a small bound blank book as a starting point.  I cut a window from the first 20 or so pages, creating a recessed area.  Then, I glued all the pages together.  (What was I thinking?  That took forever!)

Another way to create a support for a book is to build one from heavy paper. 
An accordion (or concertina) fold is an easy way to do this.

The most popular book format among quilters is to use fabric.  (See links at end of article.)  Of course all these media, plus a variety of surface design techniques, can be combined for wonderful effects.  And this is what my group hopes to achieve!

Maybe you’d like to join us.  If so, these are the criteria and suggestions I’ve outlined for our group.

Challenge criteria:
–          Make a mixed media book, using a variety of media, including fabric and/or fiber
–          The book must have a cover, a back, and two interior “pages.”  (Example:  glorified note card.)  It does not need to close.
–          The book should “read” as one related “story.”  (Pages and covers should relate to one another.)
–          (Optional, but suggested)  Make the book stiff enough to stand for display, or create another interesting way for it to be viewed. 

Construction options:  Alter an existing book, create a book from fabric (stiff, if possible,) create a book with heavy paper 

Things to consider: 
–          A variety of textures
–          Sheer fabrics and/or papers
–          Unusual construction (such as concertina)
–          Interactive aspects, such as pockets, peep holes, pop ups, etc.
–          Ephemera such as photos.  They can be painted with a transparent paint to add unity
–          Altering colors with paint, etc.  All manner of surface design
–          Embellishments: 3D, protruding like a book mark, etc.
–          The title can go on an attached bookmark or embellishment, if desired.

Tips:
–          Construct the base of your book first.
–          If stitching is used, plan for the fact that it will show on both sides.
–          If machine stitching is used, do it when the book is small and/or folded, so it will fit under the arm of the machine.
–          Think outside the box for definitions of a book and how they can be displayed.

We don’t have a firm deadline for this challenge, but we’re hoping to collectively finish at least a few in the next month.  In next year’s exhibit, we’ll plan to show them.  But you don’t have to wait!  If you make a mixed media book and send me a photo, I’ll post it here on my blog.

I’m excited about trying this new endeavor, and hope you’ll consider joining me!

Ellen Lindner
P.S. Check out these websites for lots of examples and techniques.

Book galleries:
Lots of good examples:  http://karenswhimsy.com/altered-books/ (Karen Hatzigeorgiou)
More good examples:  http://jennysartspace.com/alteredbooks/ (Jenny Taliadoros)
Altered fiction book:  http://www.logolalia.com/alteredbooks/
More:  http://artsheal.com/ (Karen Bartimole)
Little accordion books: 
http://lizcreates.blogspot.com/2010/05/so-much-has-been-happening.html (Liz Berg)
Books and more: 
http://runningwithscissorsstudio.blogspot.com/2010/07/roxanne-padgett.html (Roxanne Padgett)

Techniques:
Altering a board book: 
http://www.creativity-portal.com/howto/artscrafts/altered.books.html
Concertina book (more elaborate folding:)  
http://lizplummer.com/blog/notable-posts/how-to-make-a-concertina-book/ (Liz Plummer)
Honeycomb concertina fold, you tube video: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ6hTGl6AzQ (Mary Anne)