Alphabetica: An A-Z Creativity Guide for Collage and Book Artists

by Lynne Perrella

Mixed media techniques have come to forefront again, with artists in every field combining materials and effects to create journals, altered art, collage pieces, memory art and more. With all the creative experiementation developing at such a fast pace, it is pertinent to know how various techniques and combinations work and whether they are right for your latest project. Alphabetica illuminates new techniques through detailed visuals and rich, explanatory text. From cover to cover, readers absorb the specialties of each contributing artist, such as Judi Riesch's use of vintage photographs, and Lesley Riley's sophisticated fabric transfers, and are able to get an "over the shoulder" glance at how these artists work.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Crafts, Writing, Journaling

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Relyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book for anyone who appreciates the world of Sommerset magazines and the altered art movement. Even if you never create the art yourself, you'll find this book inspiring and full of delicious eye candy. It will remind you to look at the little things around you with appreciation. It will build your eye for beauty. Love this book!

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars. I was hoping this would be inspiring, but mostly it was annoying. The first part of the book showcased various pages from the collaborative art journal project, in no discernible order, but definitely not in alphabetical order: letters were used multiple times (and possibly not at all - I couldn't be bothered to confirm this bit). The second part of the book was ok - it featured very short descriptions from each artist about how they worked on their parts.

[Heather R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good source of inspiration and ideas for collage and mixed media artists. The beautiful photographs of the art capture the overall projects as well as compelling details. Very nice!

[Darby · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is purely a book to inspire. It is there to give you ideas but not teach you techniques. The book is called Alphebetica because each of artists that participated had a letter and then used something into their project that showed that letter that could help inspire us -- such a P for Pattern and then shows a project using pattern. One project is S for stitching and it a fabric art book. It has some truly beautiful projects in it. And it is a good source of inspiration.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

eye candy!

[Sarah Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this book 5 stars for inspiration and being able to see how other artist create their art journals. I only give this book 3 stars for having useable ideas with instructions as there are only a few try this tips sprinkled throughout the book. They don't give extreme details but rather generic ideas of ways to try things. Also I think this book being anything about the alphabet is a huge stretch other than some characters are used on various pages but not all of them. The alphabet thing is just weird. So if you are looking for inspiration give it a looksee, and if you need a how to guide skip it!

[Rinku · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found lots of ideas for future projects. I loved how words were integrated into the collages. I love words and collaging so my two very different, but favorite things put together was magical. I get so excited and inspired by these type of craft books. I'm going to see if this author has more books.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Use this book all the time, especially with my middle school students trying to get them to build better compositions.

[Georganne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book full of ideas and inspiration for collage journals, or even just for collage by itself; all of it excellent. Primarily focused on a theme of alphabet letters and numbers, it showcases 14 collage/book artists and the art they create around this theme. If you are looking for a book with individual detailed instruction this is not the book for you. However, ideas and suggestions abound. The book is a visual treat, and fun to flip through again and again for ideas and inspiration. Originality & creativity flows from the pages. All the artists featured are skilled in the use of color and design. You get the feeling they all had a great time putting this book together. Quite motivating.

[Katie Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

i dig this lingo book of arty-type terms. i don't know if i use them all but sometimes you do wonder what other people would call it.
i call it a woodie and other people call it a wood sculpture... you dig?

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book provides very good instruction for processes related to image/text journaling. Lots of new tecniques to try....

[Anke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful inspiration!!!!!

[Angie crosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. I liked seeing others creativity, as well as getting ideas

[Lisa Wakefield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic ideas & examples.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book of example collage and altered book art

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's what made me get into art journaling. Love it!

[Julie Leggett · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much and too much like her other book I just read...Artist's Journals and Scrapbooks.