Daring Adventures in Paint: Find Your Flow, Trust Your Path, and Discover Your Authentic Voice-Techniques for Painting, Sketching, and Mixed Media

by Mati Rose McDonough

Daring Adventures in Paint is a colorful, whimsical adventure of a book that explores inspirational paint and mixed-media techniques. Written by the well-loved artist/illustrator/blogger Mati Rose McDonough, this book's approach to making art is a bit like uncovering a hidden treasure, a treasure that resides within each aspiring artist. Through a myriad of both practical applications and creative exercises, Mati shows artists how to "find their magic"—the place of confidence from which they can access the vision of what they want to share with the world.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Crafts

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Rebecca Waring-Crane · Rating 3 out of 5]

With a birthday giftcard in my hot little hand I spent a delicious afternoon at Barnes & Nobel sorting through a pile of possibilites. I brought home Daring Adventures in Paint: Inspiring Techniques with Collage and Mixed Media with a happy heart. Reading it before bed sustained the happiness. Mati Rose shares heaps of secrets for mixed media canvas work AND each technique partners with lively, light-filled photos rounding out her encouraging tell with vivid show.

Along with a desire to try my hand at several artistic tricks, I begin seeing a book of my own for painted furniture taking shape.

[Pixie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basically each chapter was one part of one painting, so there wasn't enough there to impress me. But I'm sure she worked very hard on her book, and is probably a nice lady, so I couldn't give it just one star.

[Ami Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some really nice advice for getting over some fear and anxiety, as well as artist block, in this book. Even if you don't want to do the projects, it is a good book for just the advice alone.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some great ideas in this book that I am anxious to try!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and inspiring

[Elizabeth A · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a colorful book indeed, but the art is not really to my taste, and there is a bit too much whimsy and magic in this one. The most useful thing in this book is the two page spread at the end that outline the steps the author uses to create her art. The rest is simply filler in my opinion. Not for me.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of fun and a breath of creative fresh air that got me carving out time each weekend to take an artistic adventure. Mati's playfulness and encouraging attitude shine in this gorgeously illustrated guide.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating and inspirational look at the author's artistic process. I found myself setting it down midway through so I could pull out some paints and papers and start creating.
I borrowed this from my local library but will likely purchase my own copy for future reference.

[Kathryn White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gotta love the phrase "Show The World Your Magic!"

It's all over the interior covers of Daring Adventures in Paint by Mati Rose McDonough.

Showing the world your magic includes...

Find out more at: http://www.kathrynvwhite.com/blog/sho...

[Darby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a quick note with a longer review later...I read this book and Rose's message just when I needed to hear it.

[UrbanWildflower · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a fun little book. Nothing too deep. I am not a technique person. I do like to read about how other people do their work. Particularly interested in illustrators lately.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

some good ideas

[Carolm · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read for the process of self-discovery. However, the art wasn't to my taste, so it didn't resonate with me as much as it could have.