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Taking Flight: Inspiration And Techniques To Give Your Creative Spirit Wings
Stretch Your Wings, Learn to Soar, Take Flight
In "Taking Flight," you'll find overflowing inspiration—complete with a kindred spirit in author and mixed-media artist Kelly Rae Roberts. Join her on a fearless journey into the heart of creativity as you test your wings and learn to find the sacred in the ordinary, honor your memories, speak your truth and wrap yourself in the arms of community.
Along the way you'll be inspired by:
Step-by-step techniques—learn the most-loved mixed-media methods of the author and seven talented contributing artists, and combine them in fresh and unexpected ways.
Thought-provoking prompts and quotes—along with encouraging stories, insights and gentle guidance for finding your bliss, whatever your art or craft.
Plenty of eye-candy—pages and pages of the author's endearing artwork, along with the varied works of the contributors.
Of course, learning to fly isn't entirely a step-by-step process—sooner or later, you just need to take a deep breath and spread your wings. With "Taking Flight" as your guide, there's no doubt that when you do, your creativity will soar.
In "Taking Flight," you'll find overflowing inspiration—complete with a kindred spirit in author and mixed-media artist Kelly Rae Roberts. Join her on a fearless journey into the heart of creativity as you test your wings and learn to find the sacred in the ordinary, honor your memories, speak your truth and wrap yourself in the arms of community.
Along the way you'll be inspired by:
Step-by-step techniques—learn the most-loved mixed-media methods of the author and seven talented contributing artists, and combine them in fresh and unexpected ways.
Thought-provoking prompts and quotes—along with encouraging stories, insights and gentle guidance for finding your bliss, whatever your art or craft.
Plenty of eye-candy—pages and pages of the author's endearing artwork, along with the varied works of the contributors.
Of course, learning to fly isn't entirely a step-by-step process—sooner or later, you just need to take a deep breath and spread your wings. With "Taking Flight" as your guide, there's no doubt that when you do, your creativity will soar.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
33 people are currently reading
1612 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Rae Roberts
20 books43 followersKelly Rae Roberts is a mixed-media artist who neglected her creative dreams until she was 30 years old. Once she began to listen and nurture her creative voice, her life exploded with a joy she hadn't known before. She's had several articles published in Cloth Paper Scissors magazine and has been featured in various mixed-media books by her peers. Her paintings are collected worldwide and she is consistently accepted to show at juried art festivals around the country. Recently, she signed on with Brush Dance Publishing and DEMDACO for long-term licensing agreements that will showcase her work on cards, journals, magnets, calendars and wall art reproductions in stores nationwide. Learn more about her at www.kellyraeroberts.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
December 10, 2009
When I first started reading this book, I immediately noticed the tone: kind, positive, inspirational and soft. Not disgustingly so, but in a way that made me really feel inspired.
My overall feeling of this book was it was a book that would be useful for a lot of different types of art and craft. This book is about having confidence, being inspired, get rid of roadblocks and trying new things.
The format of the book incorporates the patterns/projects into the chapters, so they don't seem slapped on because everyone must have projects. I didn't try any of the projects as I cannot craft late at night in bed and I didn't have most of the supplies needed. Still, I though the projects were interesting and would make good exercises for a class.
Kelly Rae Roberts has also peppered the book with interviews with other artists. This also bring some liveliness and interest to the book.
Ms Roberts was interviewed on the Notes from the Voodoo Lounge podcast, 17 November 2009. The podcast is a great companion to this book as it gives just a bit more insight into KRR.
The only thing I didn't like about this book is size of the font. There is a lot of information crammed into this 128 page book, but you might go blind trying to read it.
I think this is a book that I would like to put on my wish list as I think it would be good to dip into on occasion.
My overall feeling of this book was it was a book that would be useful for a lot of different types of art and craft. This book is about having confidence, being inspired, get rid of roadblocks and trying new things.
The format of the book incorporates the patterns/projects into the chapters, so they don't seem slapped on because everyone must have projects. I didn't try any of the projects as I cannot craft late at night in bed and I didn't have most of the supplies needed. Still, I though the projects were interesting and would make good exercises for a class.
Kelly Rae Roberts has also peppered the book with interviews with other artists. This also bring some liveliness and interest to the book.
Ms Roberts was interviewed on the Notes from the Voodoo Lounge podcast, 17 November 2009. The podcast is a great companion to this book as it gives just a bit more insight into KRR.
The only thing I didn't like about this book is size of the font. There is a lot of information crammed into this 128 page book, but you might go blind trying to read it.
I think this is a book that I would like to put on my wish list as I think it would be good to dip into on occasion.
May 27, 2018
This book about inspiration did not inspire me. The pages and pages about creativity with its many subjects such as fear, buried dreams, and speaking our truth were too abstract to me. Also the words were too many. I was interested in the how to of projects. Two comments on those: all had wings, and all had outlines of figures. I understand that the title of the book has "wings" in it, but it became a bit overdone. The outline of figures relates to the American habit of teaching children to color inside the lines. This is not a technique taught in Europe: when observing people, you will not see black lines around them. This book also introduced specific colors for paints, and materials, not giving a complete list somewhere. It also used found, but mainly bought items such as paper, button, embellishments. I am more interested in making my own items.
July 24, 2009
Love this book! It is very inspirational if you like mixed-media painting. I learned new techniques and about new materials that I was not aware of and how to use them. The book includes quotes and prompts and space to jot down your ideas and feelings.
October 19, 2023
This was disappointing. The entire book simply features the same kind of artwork over and over - usually a female figure with a made-up face, with words written somewhere on the canvas, against a distressed background. The only good part is that it shows you step by step how to make each piece, and what materials you will need. The text was tiresome and a bore to read through, and not much of an "inspiration" at all.
October 31, 2017
Great advice for creatives! She also included some art projects to work on, but they were not my style, so I passed.
June 6, 2018
Wonderfully inspirational!
If you are over 30 you should read this rather you are serious about art or not. Find what inspires you
If you are over 30 you should read this rather you are serious about art or not. Find what inspires you
September 23, 2019
Interesting for people wanting to develop their paper and paint artistic muscles. Artist interviews, techniques and ideas.
December 9, 2022
My only criticism is the small print, a beautiful book full of inspiration, speaking directly to the heart of someone trying to find their creative style.
Be yourself within your own art.
Be yourself within your own art.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2025
Started me on my painting journey.
February 18, 2017
Good read and nice tutorials but some of the links in the back are out of date. Interwebz moves TOO FAST!
May 31, 2021
This is one of the best book for inspiration for everyone. I highly recommend this book to any age groups.
December 3, 2011
[Originally published on my blog, here: http://epiphanyart.blogspot.com/2011/... ]
This past week I started meandering through Kelly Rae Roberts' mixed media technique book, Taking Flight. I've owned the book for quite some time now, but I've discovered that it takes me a while to warm up to using new art books (or online art classes!) that I purchase. But now I'm finally reading away.
And . . . I love it. I love it because Kelly is so real and honest and open about her story. I also really love the techniques she shares, of course, but it is her writings about her life that really are the most amazing part of the book. As you may know from my other blog, I think that sharing our stories has immense value.
If you don't know much about Kelly Rae Roberts, she was employed a social worker for her early professional life and was decidedly not artistic. So she thought, anyway. But when she turned 30, she began to tune into her artistic desires more, and which eventually led to a total life overhaul. Now she's a super-successful mixed media wonder woman, so I imagine her first tentative artistic experiments went well. :)
I identify with so much of Kelly's story. Like her, I followed the path that was expected of me -- I went straight into college after high school, then on to grad school, and then dove into the miasma of job-seeking. Except . . . I wasn't ready for college when I graduated high school. And I didn't really want to study what I went to grad school for. But I didn't know what else to do, so I caved to the external pressures of my parents and society and did what I thought was the right thing.
Except that it wasn't the right thing for my heart.
Now, after 10 years of floundering through higher education, mostly fruitless job-seeking, and a terrifying battle with disordered eating, I feel like I'm where Kelly Rae Roberts was when she first began to investigate art. Earlier this year, I began my own artistic explorations, and it blew my mind and heart wide open. Suddenly, my eating disorder had no hold on me. Neither did depression. I didn't dread each new day. Instead, I couldn't sleep because all I could think about was making art.
It was amazing. Miraculous, even. Completely unlooked for, but completely needed. Making art helped make me whole. At least, that's what it feels like.
So that's why I love Taking Flight -- because it reminds me of myself. And because it gives me hope for where this art-making adventure might lead.
Plus, Kelly's techniques tutorials are really excellent. I'm mostly interested in her background techniques, and yesterday I tried out a few of them on a teeny, tiny mixed media piece. Not only that, but I also painted the face of the girl in the piece for the first time ever (instead of drawing the face on a separate paper and then Mod Podge-ing it onto the substrate).
This past week I started meandering through Kelly Rae Roberts' mixed media technique book, Taking Flight. I've owned the book for quite some time now, but I've discovered that it takes me a while to warm up to using new art books (or online art classes!) that I purchase. But now I'm finally reading away.
And . . . I love it. I love it because Kelly is so real and honest and open about her story. I also really love the techniques she shares, of course, but it is her writings about her life that really are the most amazing part of the book. As you may know from my other blog, I think that sharing our stories has immense value.
If you don't know much about Kelly Rae Roberts, she was employed a social worker for her early professional life and was decidedly not artistic. So she thought, anyway. But when she turned 30, she began to tune into her artistic desires more, and which eventually led to a total life overhaul. Now she's a super-successful mixed media wonder woman, so I imagine her first tentative artistic experiments went well. :)
I identify with so much of Kelly's story. Like her, I followed the path that was expected of me -- I went straight into college after high school, then on to grad school, and then dove into the miasma of job-seeking. Except . . . I wasn't ready for college when I graduated high school. And I didn't really want to study what I went to grad school for. But I didn't know what else to do, so I caved to the external pressures of my parents and society and did what I thought was the right thing.
Except that it wasn't the right thing for my heart.
Now, after 10 years of floundering through higher education, mostly fruitless job-seeking, and a terrifying battle with disordered eating, I feel like I'm where Kelly Rae Roberts was when she first began to investigate art. Earlier this year, I began my own artistic explorations, and it blew my mind and heart wide open. Suddenly, my eating disorder had no hold on me. Neither did depression. I didn't dread each new day. Instead, I couldn't sleep because all I could think about was making art.
It was amazing. Miraculous, even. Completely unlooked for, but completely needed. Making art helped make me whole. At least, that's what it feels like.
So that's why I love Taking Flight -- because it reminds me of myself. And because it gives me hope for where this art-making adventure might lead.
Plus, Kelly's techniques tutorials are really excellent. I'm mostly interested in her background techniques, and yesterday I tried out a few of them on a teeny, tiny mixed media piece. Not only that, but I also painted the face of the girl in the piece for the first time ever (instead of drawing the face on a separate paper and then Mod Podge-ing it onto the substrate).
March 15, 2013
Taking Flight is more of a book of creative craft ideas. There a number of contributing artists in this book and the ideas are inspired from them. This isn't a step by step art book and you will need a separate book or research on how to use certain materials if you haven't use the materials before.
The best thing about this book, it taught me that I don't have to stick to one medium and to explore new mediums that I was intimidated with before. That actually helped me with learning about new materials and how I could use them in my future projects. The best thing I ever picked up from this book was that I could make a homemade presents for friends.
My favorite project in this book is the art journal. It showed a different way to personalize an art journal which you could give away to friends. You can use the techniques for different things. I guess this is brilliant for craft people who wants to look for more ways to use the stuff they have laying around the house or for craft starters.
3.5 out of 5 stars
The best thing about this book, it taught me that I don't have to stick to one medium and to explore new mediums that I was intimidated with before. That actually helped me with learning about new materials and how I could use them in my future projects. The best thing I ever picked up from this book was that I could make a homemade presents for friends.
My favorite project in this book is the art journal. It showed a different way to personalize an art journal which you could give away to friends. You can use the techniques for different things. I guess this is brilliant for craft people who wants to look for more ways to use the stuff they have laying around the house or for craft starters.
3.5 out of 5 stars
October 1, 2011
This is a lot more self-help than instructional. If your creative self needs a bit of push or inspiration, Taking Flight would be a great book for you. Kelly Rae Roberts shares her thoughts and feelings, describes how she overcame her fears and struggles to embrace a creative life. Her writing is very personal, touching and warm and is well complemented by her interviews of other artists - more inspiration for seeking the "sacred" for an unordinary life.
The words are inspiring and the techniques featured very well-illustrated though not new or unusual. Roberts incorporates the works of the guest artists featured very well by using some of their ideas and techniques in the projects. Among the more interesting I found are the use of gold leaf, and of polymer clay to create embellishments and forms for artworks.
Overall, a soaring flight for inspiration but not a spectacular take-off if you're looking for directions on actually making art.
The words are inspiring and the techniques featured very well-illustrated though not new or unusual. Roberts incorporates the works of the guest artists featured very well by using some of their ideas and techniques in the projects. Among the more interesting I found are the use of gold leaf, and of polymer clay to create embellishments and forms for artworks.
Overall, a soaring flight for inspiration but not a spectacular take-off if you're looking for directions on actually making art.
August 7, 2014
I often look at books that deal with inspiration or art related books like Julia Cameron's titles and so I picked this one up. I liked that each section included an art piece with instructions that covered a great many altered art techniques.
I think because I have read so many and some like the Vein of Gold that I worked through all the exercises, I thought her book would be excellent for someone working on their own or trying to get the courage to try art and/or altered art. It is encouraging, has concrete projects, inspirational quotes. However, I guess I am further along in my personal and/or art journey and found myself reviewing the book but not engaged enough to attempt the projects.
As a former librarian, if I was still in Collection Development I would certainly consider this as a purchase and recommend it to patrons.
I think because I have read so many and some like the Vein of Gold that I worked through all the exercises, I thought her book would be excellent for someone working on their own or trying to get the courage to try art and/or altered art. It is encouraging, has concrete projects, inspirational quotes. However, I guess I am further along in my personal and/or art journey and found myself reviewing the book but not engaged enough to attempt the projects.
As a former librarian, if I was still in Collection Development I would certainly consider this as a purchase and recommend it to patrons.
March 6, 2010
Taking Flight is really two books in one. It's partly a discussion of the creative process, offering insights from the author and various other mixed media artists, all of them women. There's some good advice, but also a lot of repetitive new-agey artist-speak, which can get a bit fluffy at times.
The book is also a how-to guide, offering step-by-step instructions for about half a dozen mixed-media collage-type projects. For each one, the author incorporates a technique she's learned from one of her contributors. The instructions are clear and well-written, and come with step-by-step photos.
Taking Flight is a beautifully-designed book, and would be a great resource for anyone who's interested in mixed media. Definitely for women.
The book is also a how-to guide, offering step-by-step instructions for about half a dozen mixed-media collage-type projects. For each one, the author incorporates a technique she's learned from one of her contributors. The instructions are clear and well-written, and come with step-by-step photos.
Taking Flight is a beautifully-designed book, and would be a great resource for anyone who's interested in mixed media. Definitely for women.
January 15, 2016
I found this book helpful in terms of instruction. What I'm looking for in a how-to book is something that will take me to the page, and help me get onto the page in meaningful ways. I like her prompts and her how-to's; she shows you how to use the materials and equipment.
I also didn't realize, until I read Roberts' book, that art journals are a thing now, and that artists sometimes sell a journal to what amounts to a viewer. That intrigued me. As a calligrapher and avid journaler, this might lead to some interesting experiments with Etsy.
I need more hours in the day, darn it.
I also didn't realize, until I read Roberts' book, that art journals are a thing now, and that artists sometimes sell a journal to what amounts to a viewer. That intrigued me. As a calligrapher and avid journaler, this might lead to some interesting experiments with Etsy.
I need more hours in the day, darn it.
May 5, 2014
I loved this book. I don't really know what I expected, but what I found pleasantly surprised me. It's a combination of three things: inspirational narrative, interviews with other artists, and practice projects. I love Kelly Rae's style and am glad to have learned a little about how she creates her art. I've already purchased some of the supplies she listed in the book so I can play around with what I learned!
May 21, 2009
Beautiful book to explore. It contains stories of various artists and how they create what they do, as well as directions on how to create similar projects. Good for those who are at the point where art is important (or they are remembering how important it is) and want a little inspiration to get going. Also good for those who just want to look at pretty pictures. :)
October 16, 2012
This book is suppose to inspire you to create. Each chapter has begins with a story which was kind of fluffy for me and then a project at the end. Problem for me was that I did not like the art. Not my thing. I am sure there is another book out there that speaks more to me than this. I love the concept though.
April 14, 2016
I am a big fan of Kelly Rae Roberts' art and appreciate that she writes so well and shares from her heart. The only thing that could have made this book better would have been more of her artwork and techniques (but I do appreciate her collaborating with other artists to share a range of styles and methods).
June 19, 2016
Love the style, techniques, the quotes included, the ties to spiritual aspect of art...
Winged Thoughts include: I can capture the sacred in the ordinary by:
I see beauty in:
I am called to an art or craft that expresses:
Winged Thoughts include: I can capture the sacred in the ordinary by:
I see beauty in:
I am called to an art or craft that expresses:
July 12, 2009
What a great book. I love Kelly Rae's art and was so excited to get this book. Whenever I need a pick me up I go to this book and I feel happy. This book is full of inspiration and techniques. Loved it!
June 10, 2010
This book really made me think about my creative process. And it has some cool artistic techniques that I want to try. So much more I could write here...but I must go create! {Maybe some day I wil transcribe my notes that I took while reading this book.}
April 23, 2010
Loved, loved this book. The creative suggestions where inspiring but the sections that demonstrated art techiniques from guest artists was fabulous. I am going to buy this one and keep it so I can reference back to it for inspiration and instructions.
March 12, 2016
This book was beautiful - lush, richly colored, inspiring just to look at. My problem is that this is a book fully intended to be used: written in and filled up. You can't do that with a library book.
March 25, 2011
amazing! love the way Kelly weaved in her own personal story with interviews of other artists. the writing prompts were great jumping off points for my daily journaling, and i am planning to try some of the craft prjects. a great book for your creative self (even if you don't do the projects). :)
July 1, 2011
Truly loved it.
Very useful techniques and advices, they make it look so simple and so easy to create.
The artist is truly talented, there's always something, like a detail or a feeling in each piece.
Very useful techniques and advices, they make it look so simple and so easy to create.
The artist is truly talented, there's always something, like a detail or a feeling in each piece.
January 16, 2012
I swear this author is speaking directly to my soul! Even if you're not looking to create this specific kind of artwork, this is a wonderful book to inspire whatever form of creativity is inside you. If nothing else - the photos of her artwork are really beautiful.
August 19, 2014
This book was really helpful for me. I've struggled with artist block for years, this book encourages the reader to look within and grow. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to creating new art.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews