Playing with Collage: Learn the Art of Collage from a Master, by Jeannie Baker [Review & Giveaway USA/CANADA]

My thoughts: The artist Jennie Baker brings the craft of artistic collage to a new height showing intriguing combinations of materials with which to create beautiful visionary pieces of art. More of a craft than traditional art, the use of textual materials pieced together stunningly are used in the playful art form of collage.

This is a great book for school libraries and teachers of art as well as elementary and preschool. Hands of all ages will enjoy the creation of long lasting or temporary artistic expressions using materials they find about their normal day-to-day living.

Here in the fall of the year and at the beginning of the school year, I can see this as a useful, enjoyable guide for persons of all ages.

About the book: With this gem of a book, readers are invited to trust their instincts -- and play -- as they follow the advice of an award-winning collage artist.

Whether using dried flowers or tiny shells, spaghetti or postage stamps, Jeannie Baker draws from the world around her to make work that is singularly beautiful and imaginative. Incorporating a wide range of textures, her arresting collage pieces have earned her international acclaim. Now she shares her secrets and encourages readers to get creative: each of the four main sections in Playing with Collage presents an abstract collage by the artist and offers suggestions and starting points for anyone aspiring to master the art.

Win a copy for yourself, a teacher, or a school library

Giveaway

Begins September 22

Ends October 20 at 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA & CANADA addresses only.

NO P.O. Boxes

Canadian winners must provide a phone number.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Candlewick to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

Drawn from Nature by Helen Ahpornsiri [Review & Giveaway - USA/CANADA]

An intricately crafted journey through four seasons of flora and fauna.

ISBN: 9780763698980
Hardcover $22.00

My thoughts:  Most of us have gathered wild flowers, perhaps pressing them because they are so lovely and we want to remember the moment. Or perhaps you've gathered colorful leaves in the fall marveling at their colors and declining beauty.The author of Drawn from Nature has taken a love for the beauty of plant life and created works of art from the already beautiful and even the not-so-pretty that is found out-and-about in the wild out-of-doors.

I am so amazed at this book and the intricate work of this artist. Just to sit looking at these beautiful images is a treat to enjoy. But that is not all this book includes. It is broken down into the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter with plants and animals becoming active and springing into action with glorious color and going on through the seasons to the bare branches, darkness, and stillness that encompasses Winter.

A beautifully pictured and told story of our seasons.

A must see is the video that Candlewick has on youtube.com that captures the artist creating her art utilizing the design that she sees in real bits and pieces of nature. It is fascinating!


About the book: Helen Ahpornsiri's intricate artwork transforms leaves, petals, and seeds into bounding hares, swooping swallows, and blossoming trees. Using nothing but pressed plants, this journey through the seasons captures the wonder and magic of the natural world between the pages of a book. This standout title with beautiful nonfiction text will take readers through an extraordinary year in the wild.

About the artist/author: Helen Ahpornsiri is an Illustrator based in East Sussex, UK.

All images are made using only real flowers, petals, stems and leaves. These are grown or foraged responsibly before being placed in a flower press. After 1-6 weeks of pressing, the flora and foliage is flat and ready to use – preserved in their natural colours, with no paints or dyes. Each piece is then cut and delicately positioned to form detailed illustrations; all brimming with the intricate twists and tangles of plant life.

The artist at work  - the delicate work of creating these beauties can be appreciated by viewing her skilled hands as she creates a butterfly from ferns.

GIVEAWAY

Candlewick Press is graciously providing 1 copy for a giveaway.

Begins March 15

Ends April 7 at 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA and CANADA addresses only.

No P.O. Boxes, please.

a Rafflecopter giveaway DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Candlewick Press on behalf of the author to facilitate a review. Opinions are my own, alone, and are freely given.