Like alot of you out there, I am a self-taught mixed media artist. I never attended art school -- so I was never really taught about compostion, placement, color, etc. etc.--whatever--I'm glad that I didn't, because then I would feel that I was breaking the "rules" of art, which we all know is silly--there are no rules to how we make art--we just listen to our creative spirit and create!
But that' s not to say that I've never needed to be taught anything--I have, and I'm grateful for everything that I've learned with my online classes.
But that' s not to say that I've never needed to be taught anything--I have, and I'm grateful for everything that I've learned with my online classes.
But I've also learned ALOT through art books.
And the artists who write these books are my teachers. One of my favorite teachers is Jane Davies. I have both of these books by her--
Collage Journeys is her latest book, and whenever I need inspiration, I'll always go here. It's page after page of wonderful collages by her and other collage artists also. She shares many techniques, and the last chapter is about journaling and she even includes directions on how to make your own journal. I just love looking through this book over and over again. And another book of hers that I have is Collage With Color, and it's exactly that--colorful
collage!
How can you not be inspired by this?! This book is my workbook. She talks about color and compostiion, and she has a chapter on making patterned papers with different painting techniques, which I've used to paint my papers. There are even more that I've yet to try. So Thank You Jane Davies for being one of my favorite teachers! And she is coming out with a new book soon!!
I also wanted to tell you about a fantastic giveaway on Laura's blog Found Memories Art. If you are a collage artist, you will love this giveaway. She is filling up a box with collage items--you would not believe all the goodies that she's giving away--so go take a look. You have until noon, May 4--just click on her blog name, and it will take you right over.
36 comments:
Well, something else we have in common. Love Jane Davies--her collage with color book was one of the first I ever looked at on collage--loved it and I have the collage journeys book.. Small world! Love the piece with the birds.
great work, diane! those books look wonderful, thanks!
What a great piece, love everything, the compostion, the texture, so much to look at - very engaging.
Your work is so beautiful! Thanks for sharing the books that inspire you!
There is something to be said about learning from books. These look very informative. Your piece you displayed is pretty special, too. I loved the birds. Can't get enough of birds made from book pages, phone books, etc. Hope you have a great rest of the weekend.
Hi Diane, thanks so much for your comment on my blog, it's lovely to meet you here! Your work is gorgeous and I love that you paint your own papers to then create your paintings with! I will have to check out these lovely books for sure!
Thanks for sharing Diane! I will have to check out these books...I really feel like I need help journaling..among other things. We can always learn ! Your piece is wonderful!
You know i've done a couple of online classes but i've never really looked at art books....shocking really for someone who loves to read books isn't it? ;)
I guess I just love making mistakes and learning from them, plus i'm so messy that any book I had would be covered in paint lol
Micki x
I feel the same way, Diane! :) I'll have to check out these books.
Diane , I love your art, and lovely colurs you combine, this makes me think of the song "Yellow Bird" with Harry Bellafonte-love this little love song, and your yellow birds.
Hugs, Dorthe
I just was looking at those books this morning, only to find now that you're writing and cheering about them ! I'm always afraid to order books like those, because sometimes they can be dissappointing .... Maybe I should give these a try ;-)
Amazing Diane! I have to go dust off my books! Your work is so wonderful!
oh my gosh, this is all so inspirational! love all the sunshine. thank you for spreading it...i'm basking.
love your bird creation!
& i'm with you about discovering
this whole amazing art world
on my own, dear sister in figure it out as we go!
i'll look up the giveaway too.
lol. x
Very good inspirational post, Diane. I've used the Collage with Color book quite a few times myself.
Thanks for joining in the celebration of my 100th Almost Every Day Collage.
Hi Diane, this is such a great post. I love your art, the beautiful colors you use. I haven't seen either of these books, something to check out.
Thanks.
debby
okay you sound just like me,I love art books! I don't have either one of them,I was just at barnes and noble on saturday darn,I guess that means I'll have to go back. I have a collection of art books plus I always go to the library too. Love your art,I always want to touch it,it looks like it has alot of texture.Thanks for sharing about the books.
What makes an artist great, I think, is an inherent curiosity and the willingness to try new techniques. Love your work and your style, Diane. Thanks for sharing your "Muse"! Hugs, Terri xoxo
Nothing like diving deep into a wonderful book to help refill the well!
Your piece of work is very memory moritvated for me, somehow it gives me the feelings of kitchens I saw as a child visiting with mom to her friends, the reason is at that time people had so little, the area around where they cooked often has news paper on the wall, and then maybe a piece of lanolium, which was papered with geometric design or flowers. then on top of that would be some calendar photos that were pretty or some family rememberances, maybe some crocheted potholders, or an embroidered dish towel. All things were had made and sort of put together in a way that made you keep looking. Your art always does that also makes a person keep looking. They other thing that would appear in the areas of the kitchen were things made of wook that were whittled or carved out.
People didn't even know how artistic these things were, hand woven rugs, pretty dishes, and it was all clean, even wood for the woodstove in the kitchen was attractive piled in a wooden box.
Did ai mention the pretty apron that was also near by?
OK i go on a bit, and talk a lot on other peoples blogs. I had this memory so had to write.
What I know is if I ever find some lanolium at a flew market or thrift sale with those cabbage roses I will buy it, and sometimes one finds these fun things in the free box.
great piece, the bird is wonderful, and now I am off to check out the links! thanks!
Diane, once again I find mega inspiration from you!!! Love your birdie piece ~~ is that corrugated cardboard at the top and bottom??? I LOVE using cardboard in my pieces! TY for sharing Jane Davies with us here! I'm checking out her books online, and can't decide which one to order first ~~ I want them both, lol! Oh, and how I relate to your "self-taught artistry," and learning from books, online courses, and others, instead of through a formal education, ;). I love being free to experiment, and not being bound by "rules!" You've obviously obtained a grand education through your pursuits, as your art is stunning! Wishing you a grand week of creating ~~ Jeanne
Beautiful painting! Love the colors of this piece the greens look beautiful with the purples-I agree with you- I dont believe in any kind of rules that would hinder an artist or the viewer. - In other artists paintings I see what is clearly beautiful and grabs my attention and holds it. Not going to school either, I like the challenge and the growing creatively and I love art books too-that book on color looks like a good one. Have a great day!Jonny
I love this piece Diane - where do you sell your stuff? Guess I should look around before I ask but . . . okay, I'm lazy this morning!!!
Next stop, Amazon to check out these books. I have sooooooooooo many books but can always use more.
I also just got THE CREATIVE CALL which tells us it's our spiritual obligation to create if that's the gift we've received. Also, that description is mine based on conversations with friends who've read it - I've yet to start.
Oftentimes the best art is created organically and from the heart, without "official" schooling. A lot of times, you learn by actually doing! You create beautiful art - and I so especially love this bird piece! The books you referenced so very interesting...I'll have to check them out. :) Theresa
Your work is *AMAIZING*. Love it!
I'm going to Borders to see if I can check those books :)
Thanks for sharing.
It looks like a great book. I LOVE your work.. I think you are so talented! It's always fun to keep learning and picking up new techniques here and there. I love how no matter what, we all still have our own style. Thanks for sharing.
Holly
I did study commercial art for a year in college and guess what happened? I put down my paintbrush for nearly 20 years. This happened at such an impressionable time that I was almost convinced that I had nothing in me of any artistic value. But then, whatever creativity I have inside just came ROARING back out!
Yep, other artists, those are my teachers, and every day I spend the wee hours studying their work, just as I did yours early this morning. I love the colors you used in these collages, and thank you for sharing these books. More homework for me!
Absolutely beautiful! And so inspiring!
I have come back to look at it several times.
Some people just have a very intuitive knowledge of composition and color. I suspect you are one of those people, because you are so good at it! I always dreamed of going to art school; I finally got there and suffered through 2 years. I felt like my creativity was being squashed. I've met several successful artists around here who never went to school or left as I did.
What an absolutely beautiful blog! Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting. Happy to add you to my blogroll.
- Chel
Hi Diane,,thanks for following me:D Love your work!!!
Hope to see you at one of the shows:D
Toodles,
Mandy
Hi Friend! Thank you for the suggestion - I think that I am with you - I too am self taught (after a career as a makeup artist - another kind of paint!) and have found most of my techniques from mags. and books. It's like a football player who has the heart, but needs to know the plays (maybe?). Anyway, thank you for your sweet comment and for the great suggestion - I have not heard of that artist before, Kristin xo
diane,
i am home! phew.. long trip..
I agree with everything you said.
and isn't it amazing what we can learn in this life?
your profile seems like me all in a nut shell. I can't believe how lucky we are to have the internet as a tool to guide us in our art endeavors.. hugs, darlene.
I didn't go to art school either and I totally agree with this post! I'll have to check out those books...
I too am a book lover and I dont have either of these ??? Hmmmm
I love being self taught
Hope you are having a great day Diane
Diane...our wireless has been on the fritz so i couldn't get back to you. i ended up deleting my comment the other day because I quickly realized that if I had just read more carefully, you shared what papers you've used! HA! You're so sweet to write me back anyway. I always enjoy your posts -- my book collection is growing, too. I LOVE getting books or mags for inspiration. Your colors rock btw. Smiles!
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