Creating Art at the Speed of Life: 30 Days of Mixed-Media Exploration

by Pam Carriker

In this inspirational volume, artist and author Pam Carriker offers uninhibited mixed-media play while encouraging you to look at your work with a newly evaluative eye and determine what works for you. Create your own art journal while using a variety of mixed-media techniques and explore seven important elements of

   • Color
   • Texture
   • Shape
   • Space
   • Depth
   • Mark making
   • And shading
An art-making workshop in a book, Creating Art at the Speed of Life offers a 30-day syllabus, introducing and exploring each element in a series of exercises, complete with worksheets to help you evaluate your work and make it more successful and satisfying.

In an "open studio" at the end of each chapter, well-known contributing artists share inspirational work focused on that chapter's element. With Pam's lessons and advice on how to assess your artwork, you will experiment and grow into a more confident artist.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Crafts, Reference, Art Design

176 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 22, 2013

Reviews

[Mila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very inspiring. Now I just need to "just do it". I'll try the bingo dauber paint idea - 1 part paint, 2 parts water, 1 part extender.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I borrowed this from the library and want to try a couple of the techniques. .

[debbie-anne Hogarth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book, full on inspiration.
Looking forward to trying several of the projects.

[Lydia Gates · Rating 2 out of 5]

So far just scanning through this book is more for beginners of art wanting to learn the basic art education lessons. For someone who has a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education and has taught art for several years; and has a Masters in Teaching, I am disappointed. Some of these "lessons" require SPECIAL art media, which I am surprised to find out. I only paid $5 for the book, but I don't think the title has anything to do with the lessons. It does has material for Color, Line, etc., all the art terms, and she does explain art terminology well, but I just not sure I will do any of these lessons. They certainly don't seem to be something I would do every day; especially since I taught many of these in my elementary art classes; and to my Elementary Art Methods class at the college level. Some of the lessons have been around for years. The positive negative face lesson was created back in the 1960s. There is nothing really new in this book except having to buy special media. Very very very disappointed. I'm saying I'm done reading, because I am.

[Sonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a great book for artists, beginners and advanced. It is also for people who think they can not draw and people who want to know how to improve their artwork, journals or sketchbooks. The suggestions of lists for your art materials and practice exercises is wonderful. I have used a lot of these tips before, but there are a lot of different spins on the way that you evaluate your artwork, keep working on your art and the way you continue to grow your skills. It has a great grasp of basics, color wheels,etc and shows you how to spread your work out over a consistent 30 day period that allows you to develop a pattern of skills that you need to know to make your art more impactful, but you can set your pace. I love the way Pam walks you through suggested activities and artwork.

[Kimmie Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books on mixed media art. Pam Carriker gives you a 30 day course in mixed media journaling that gives a variety of techniques to help you explore different elements of Art, from visual perspective, textures, colors, lines, shapes, and more. You will be motivated to develop daily journaling habits with this very visual and colorful mini workshop in a book.
The book starts with a simple to follow tutorial on making a journal followed by 30 daily easy to follow tutorials with an objective for each day and template to assess each lesson.
There are lots colorful step by step pictures, and tips from both the author and from various contributing mixed media artists.

[Kaye Dewar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for Artists in this specific genre of rt journling.!

[Electric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provided great ideas to get you thinking outside of the box!

[Bc · Rating 5 out of 5]

VERY FULL of lots of techniques for creating both substrates and full mixed media pieces. Easy to take what you want. Lots of good examples and instructions.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some cool ideas I might use a few of them.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful tips and prompts.