Balzer Designs

Books, Books, Books!

I think we're always learning, but some periods are more active than others.  I happen to be in an active learning period at the moment.

So far in 2015, I've been a student in three art classes, with another one scheduled for this weekend.  I've also been buying art/craft books like a crazy person.  Here's my most recent haul:

I haven't managed to really work through any of them yet, but here's a run down of what I bought:

Jean-Michel Basquiat by Dieter Buchhart, Glenn O'Brien, and Jean-Louis Prat

After standing in MoMA and staring at this mixed media collage by Basquiat...

...I ran home and ordered this book.  I really like Basquiat's work and I'm excited to spend some time poring over it in detail and learning more about him.  As a side note, there is currently a Basquiat exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum, which I'm hoping to get to!

Collage: The Making of Modern Art by Brandon Taylor

This is a historical look at the evolution of collage.  I've been doing a lot more collage lately and I'm thinking that a firmer grasp on the history of where collage has been will help me to push myself forward.

Collage Techniques: A Guide for Artists and Illustrators by Gerald Brommer

This is a collage how-to book, definitely coming from a fine art point-of-view.  I buy a lot of how-to books.  Sometimes they are filled with techniques that are new to me and sometimes they're filled with techniques I already know.  Why buy a book with a technique you already know?  I think the answer is the same as the answer to, "Why read a book if you know the ending?"  Even if I know the hero and heroine are going to end up together, the journey is pleasurable.  Even if I know a technique, I enjoy reading someone else's take on it.  Even one little innovation is a worthwhile bit of learning!

Creative Collage Techniques by Nita Leland and Virginia Lee Williams

This is another how-to book.  The reviews were so glowing that I absolutely *had* to buy it.  I find that the Amazon reviews are pretty spot on in a generalized way.  You get the occasional grumpy or effusive person, but generally I agree with them.

Illustrated Elements Of Art and Principles of Design Consultant: Gerald F. Brommer

Elements of Art and Principles of Design is something I teach.  I'm always looking for a new way of approaching these topics.  I thought the hands-on activities in this book might be interesting to explore.  An important side note: Whenever I teach something I learned from a book, I give credit to the author.  You don't have to be the inventor of something to be awesome, but you do have to give credit to be awesome.

The Ultimate Marbling Handbook by Diane Maurer-Mathison

This book was insanely expensive.  INSANELY.  But when I was casting about for a book on marbling, this is the one that kept getting mentioned as outstanding.  It's out of print, so I used Amazon to locate a copy in good condition.  I'm pretty excited so far and looking forward to some marbling experiments!

Masters: Collage: Major Works by Leading Artists

This book is simply a visual treat.  It's packed full of images of collage with some scattered quotes from the artists.  Like a pin board of collage, before Pinterest.  ;)

The Missing Link by Cindy Wimmer

This is a book I've been coveting for almost a year.  I worked on a project for Mixed Media Workshop based on instructions in the book and I've wanted the book for myself ever since then.  The instructions are super duper excellent.  Two thumbs up and I'm very excited to keep exploring all the wirework inside the book!

Robert Motherwell: Early Collages by Susan Davidson

This book was created for the Guggenheim when they had a Motherwell exhibit in 2013.  I've kicked myself many times for missing the exhibit.  This book seems like the second best thing to having gone to see the exhibit.  I don't think I'll ever create collages like Motherwell, but I'd like to learn from him. I  love his sense of color and shape and all the layers.

Whew!  That's quite a stack of books.  What books have you bought recently?

Thanks for stopping by!

Crafty Book Wish List

What's on your crafty book wish list?  Here are three books that I've been eyeing:

Did you know that Louis Armstrong was a collage artist?  I first read about this book on The Ink Pad's blog.  And now Satchmo: The Wonderful World and Art of Louis Armstrong is in on my wish list!  Here's a bit about the book from Amazon:

Satchmo: The Wonderful World and Art of Louis Armstrong is a biography in the form of an art book. It tells the story of Armstrong's life through his writings, scrapbooks, and artworks, many of which have never been published before. Armstrong was the single greatest creative artist in the history of jazz and the American popular song. A true American original, he was prolific in coining colorful expressions that entered the lexicon; he wrote long, colorful prose pieces about his experiences; and he made hundreds of collages using marvelous photographs that capture archetypal scenes in the life of a jazz musician. Everything he did was an extension of his artistry.

And here is one of his collages:

Next on my wish list is:

The endlessly talented Dina Wakley's art journaling book: Art Journal Freedom has gotten rave reviews from everyone I've talked to!  Here's a bit about the book from Amazon:

It's true, art journaling has no "rules" and is a safe place for free expression of your one-of-a-kind life. But knowledge is power and knowing the "rules" of color and composition gives you the freedom to use and break them willfully to create the effects you want. Dina shares these principles in a fun and approachable way with dozens upon dozens of unique journal pages to show you just some of the many possibilities.

Here's a peek inside the book:

I have always loved Dina's use of silhouettes, stencils, and her fabulous handwriting!

Last but not least, I want this book:

Susan Lenart Kazmer is probably my favorite jewelry artist on the planet.  Her book Resin Alchemy looks so fabulous!  From Amazon:

Resin Alchemy offers detailed step-by-step technique tutorials on using resin, from the basics of mixing and pouring to using bezels and key metalworking techniques that expand design options....Learn how to incorporate stories, words, meaningful images, and more in the layers of your resin jewelry. Susan shares her wealth of tips for collecting great found objects and for layering and encasing stories–in short, how to bring both great technique and great imagination to bear on jewelry making. Throughout the book, you'll enjoy easy step-by-step projects and finished pieces.

Here's a peek inside the book:

Her imagination and creativity blows me away!

I'll end with the same question I started with: what's on your crafty book wish list?

Thanks for stopping by!

Book Club: Explore, Create, Resinate

It's time for our March Book Club!  Just as a reminder, each month I choose a crafty book from my bookshelf and create something inspired by the book.   I hope you'll be inspired to do the same.

This month I chose Explore, Create, Resinate by Jen Cushman.

This book is all about using ICE Resin -- a crystal clear jeweler's grade resin -- to create beautiful jewelry.  The book has nine major chapters along with an introduction, final note, design team bios, and a resource guide.  The nine chapters are:

1. What Makes ICE Resin Unique: An explanation of why ICE Resin is different from the other resins on the market.  ICE Resin is more expensive than some of the other resins that are around, so this is definitely worth a read.
2. Mixing and Pouring: I'm an instruction skimmer for the most part, but ICE Resin is a chemical compound and it's important to make sure you mix it correctly in order to get the results you want.  There are lots of step-by-step photos on mixing and pouring -- with plenty of tips on how to get the best results.  I love the tip on using a sponge as a base when pouring an uneven surface -- so simple and so smart!  This chapter also includes information on drying and curing.
3. Embedding and Inclusions: This chapter includes tips on how to embed various things into your ICE Resin.  Jen notes what types of items need to be sealed and which ones can simply be placed in.
4. Using Photographs and Sealing Images: This is a short chapter that explains how to seal your images before placing them in ICE Resin.
5. Working with Open Backed Bezels: As the title suggests, this chapter details (with photos and instructions) how to work with an open backed bezel.  As you'll see below, I used open backed bezels to create a pair of earrings.
6. Adding Color: Jen shares tips on how to quickly and easily color your ICE Resin.
7. Making Resin Paper: Over the years I've tried lots of different techniques for turning paper into jewelry.  Nothing works as well as ICE Resin.  The way it reacts with the paper, it more than seals it -- it creates a waterproof product that can easily be turned into wearable art!  This chapter tells you how to make that awesome resin paper.
8. Quick and Easy Casting: In this chapter Jen shares how to make your own molds to use with ICE Resin.
9. Clean Up, Over Spills and Mistakes: Jen shares how easy it is to file, sand, and clean up any problems you may have encountered along the way.

This book is filled with beautiful photos -- both step-by-step instructions for the various techniques and many beautiful examples of finsihed jewelry using the techniques from each chapter.  However, there aren't instructions for creating finished jewlery.  This is definitely a technique book, not a project book.  I actually prefer technique books to project books, so I was quite happy. That said, I should mention that I have previous experience with jewelry-making and using Ice Resin, including having taken classes with Ice Resin inventor Susan Lenart Kazmer.  Nonetheless, I think the instructions on working with ICE Resin are very clear.

I only had 1 oz of ICE Resin in my stash.  So, I had to be a bit thoughtful about what I did with it.  (And I ended up ordering more in much bigger bottles, because it's so fun!  And now I'm stalking the postman!)  I decided to create some resined papers:

A plain book page (facing into my apartment and out at the window):

You can see how super transparent the paper is now!

A gesso-ed and Distress Inked book page (facing into my apartment and out at the window):

You can see that it's transparent where the Distress Ink is and opaque where the gesso is.

A painted book page (facing into my apartment and out at the window):

Mostly opaque, except when held up to the light.  Other than being sealed and glossy, appears exactly as it did without the ICE Resin.

Painted deli paper (facing into my apartment and out at the window):

Other than the fact that it's sealed and glossy, it doesn't appear any different from regular deli paper.

Finally, I grabbed my jewelry tools...

...and made two open backed bezels.  Then I used bits of a doily to create these earrings:

And here I am wearing the earrings:

I love them!  And I can't wait for the rest of my ICE Resin to get here so I can make many more!

If you're interested in exploring ICE Resin, I highly recommend Explore, Create, Resinate.  However, if you've never made jewelry, you may want to check out some basics of wire wrapping and cold connections to help you make finished jewelry.

Have you read Explore, Create, Resinate?  What did you think?

Thanks for stopping by!

Book Club: Journal It!

It's time for our December Book Club!  Just as a reminder, each month I choose a crafty book from my bookshelf and create something inspired by the book.   I hope you'll be inspired to do the same.

This month I chose the book Journal It! curated by Jenny Doh:

In an act of full disclosure: I'm one of the nineteen artists featured in this book.  

Jenny Doh has gathered a wide variety of art journalers into the pages of Journal It!  Each artist is featured over several pages.  You get a mixture of his/her artwork and comments on the process of art journaling.  In addition, each artist gives some instructions for at least one technique that he/she likes to use.

I thought the best way to describe the book for you, would be to share a little about each atist's chapter:

• Bob Fisher: Bob's work is intensely saturated and tends to monochromatic use of color.  He mixes collaged text with hand drawn images, many of people.  His suggestion about using watersoluble crayons for portraits sent me off on a binge of several weeks of doing just that!  
• Julie Fei-Fan Balzer: This is the *best* chapter in the book.  ;)
• Belinda Fireman: Belinda's work is brightly colored with a strong use of black marks to create focus and design.  The two techniques she shares both involve using a black pen over acrylic paint, which is one of my go-to techniques too!
• Debra Cooper: Debra does a lot of layering of paint and ink and I liked the part of her chapter about incorporating stenciling into your journal.  The technique she shares for layering spray ink and acrylic paint is one I love to use too!  She also shares a wonderful hand drawn alphabet.
• Carolyn Sewell: Carolyn's chapter is full of her intense lettering -- black ink crowded onto a stark white page.  I could stare at it for hours.  And she gives some great tips about accepting mistakes.
• Anna-Maria Wolniak: Anna-Maria's work is full of brightly colored watercolor splashes and text that beautifully mixes handwriting and stamping.  There's a kind of lush minimalism about her work that is mesmerizing.
• Melanie Mowinski: Melanie's work pulls its color scheme from nature: browns, greens, and greys.  Her "field guides" are wonderful and *almost* make this city girl want to go and explore nature!  I really appreciate the technique and tips she shares for dyeing Tyvek.
• Jill K. Berry: Jill's pages feature realistic sketches of people and lots of writing.  My favorite page of hers is filled with her beautiful calligraphy in several different styles.
• Alisa Burke: Alisa's sketchbook pages are filled with lovely drawings painted with watercolor.  I like her idea of framing your subject matter when working in your journal.
• Susanna Gordon: Susanna's work is very 3-D.  From a doll she made to moth brooches, her charming art work mixes a dark mood with a light and bright style.
• Sarah Atwater Bourne: Sarah's chapter is full of different ideas.  She explains how to do easy toner based transfers and shares the cutest matchbox journal ever!
• Susan Shelley: Susan and I agree: there are no rules when it comes to art journaling!  Her pages are very textural and incorporate everything from hand stitching to burlap.  She also shares how she makes "found fabric paper."
• Corey Moortgat: Corey's pages are very much like scrapbook pages to me.  She incorporates a lot of photos of her children and mixes pretty patterned paper with paint.  I adore the arch shape she uses in a lot of her artwork.
• Kathrin Jebsen-Marwedel: Kathrin's art journal pages are full of delightful drawings, precisely colored.  Her drawings have an almost cartoon-like feeling, with clean lines and bright colors.  In her chapter she shares her tips on coloring (involves mixing watercolor and markers).
• Bruce Kremer: Bruce's journals are a wonderful record of his travels and his life.  He takes simple lined notebooks and fills them with writing, drawings, and mementos (like leaves and feathers).  He doesn't treat his journals as precious.  Love that!
• Roben-Marie Smith: Roben-Marie's brightly colored pages feature tons of intense pattern and texture (circles are a fave) and she shares how to replicate her inky paper backgrounds.  I also love what she shares on stitching in her journal (something I want to do more of).
• Zom Osborne: Zom's free and easy pages are filled with writing and drawings of doll-like girls.  In her chapter she shares a gesso resist technique (one of my personal faves too) that is easy and versatile.
• Alison Worman: Alison's work is wonderful and interesting and different and thoughtful and minimalisitc.  It's all about texture and shapes with lots of hand stitching.  I love her "Little Windows" page and based one of the stencils I recently cut on it.
• Jeanette Sclar: Jeanette's pages are filled with watercolor sketches.  She also shares how to do a Citra Solv Transfer -- a type of transfer that I've read a lot about, but never tried.

Whew.  That's a long list of journalers with a wide range of styles.  I will admit that there are some journalers who I'm closer to in style and thus gravitate towards, but there's lots to be inspired by.  

When I sat down to create, I didn't have any one journaler's technique or ideas in mind.  I just kind of took what I had absorbed from the book and let it flow out onto the page.

I like it.  It feels like me and yet it's also different for me.  And isn't that the point of reading a crafty book?  To feel inspired and incorporate some new ideas into your own work?

Would you like to win a copy of Journal It!?  To win, leave an answer to the following question in the comments section of this blog:

What do you like about art journaling?

I'll announce the winner next Monday (December 24, 2012).

Thanks for stopping by!

Book Club: The Art & Elegance of Beadweaving

It's time for our October Book Club!  Just as a reminder, each month I choose a crafty book from my bookshelf and create something inspired by the book.   I hope you'll be inspired to do the same.

This month I chose The Art & Elegance of Beadweaving by Carol Wilcox Wells.

I also own Carol's first book (and one of my bead bibles): Creative Beadweaving: A Contemporary Guide to Classic Off-Loom Stitches.  Without reservation, I highly recommend both books.  They are both so well done with excellent instructions and fantastic illustrations.  Everything I know about beadweaving I learned from these two brilliant books.

The Art & Elegance of Beadweaving is divided into 8 sections:

1. Introduction, Materials, Tools, and Tips.  From tools to knots to how many beads per gram, this section is full of wonderfully useful information.
2. Beaded Beads.  This is the chapter I used to make yesterday's Second Floor Challenge beaded beads.  There is an inspirational gallery up front and then instructions for eleven different kinds of beaded beads.
3. Chevron Chain.  Chevron chain is a kind of off-loom beading stitch.  There are four projects in this section ranging from a necklace to a basket.  Carol also offers lots of great tips on creating variety in your chain stitching.
4. Crocheted Ropes.  These are so super fun and easy to make!  And totally addictive too.  Carol takes you through the basics of creating crocheted ropes, with lots of pattern variations, and then gives you four super cool crocheted rope projects.
5. Herringbone Stitch.  This is another kind of off-loom beading stitch.  The beginning of this section covers all of the how-tos in deep detail.  All the variations are included -- flat, tubular, increasing, decreasing, etc.  Then there are four projects.
6. Peyote Stitch.  Carol's first book made me fall in love with Peyote Stitch.  It's easy to do and looks great!  Again, this is another kind of off-loom beading stitch.  The beginning of the this section covers all of the basics of Peyote Stitch and then there are five projects.
7. Spiral Rope.  This section follows the format of the previous chapters: instructions on the stitch and its variations and then four projects.
8. Contributing Artists, Acknowledgments, Bibliography, Index

I think that this book is a nice mixture of aspirational beading projects by über talented artists and totally achievable projects with instructions.  The photography is very well done, and as I mentioned before, the beading charts are top notch.  Really well done.

Here's something I made inspired by this book:

The necklace has a secret clasp:

And here's what it looks like when I'm wearing it:

If you're into beading, or you'd like to be, do yourself a favor and pick up both of Carol's books!

Happy Halloween!