Sometimes, I find myself cruising Amazon’s bargain books. I can’t help it. It’s an addiction.
Now and then, one book (or two or three) leaps off the page and shouts, “Buy me!”
If I ignore it, the voice drops to something very throaty and demands, “No. I mean it. BUY ME.”
Fortunately, I already own In This House. It’s a book that’s been in my thoughts again lately. Yes, it’s less than half the original price at Amazon, this week. Seeing it listed at Amazon brought the house ideas back into my line of sight, kind of like a storm surge.
See, the whole “house” context for art… it’s returning as a theme in some of my work. That may be because I am really ready for another house. The apartment thing has been fun, but I’m ready for a house again… even with issues like leaky roofs, running toilets, a lawn to mow, and chipping ice off the sidewalks in winter.
However, even with those thoughts… I think the house motif is singing to me again. I may have to re-read this book. It was always a visual inspiration, and I think I’m ready to do things with art — perhaps mixed media — within the structure of a two-dimensional house outline, or even a three-dimensional cardboard support.
The book that’s really singing a siren song — also “bargain priced” at Amazon — is Secrets of Rusty Things.
I’ve looked at this book in bookstores, and (at the $24.99 price) managed not to buy it. Just barely. I mean, it’s always a close call.
The text is good, especially when he talks about abandoning any preliminary sketches, “Sometimes you just have to hunker down and start assembling.” He definitely speaks my language!
The things that really suck me into this book are the artwork, how-to tips and inspiration. If you like all things vintage and steampunk, as I do, this is one of those books. You know, the kind that follow you home and you just have to keep them. In Amazon’s bargain books section… I think today is the day I buy this book, while they still have copies of it.
See, I keep picking up odd little bits of things in dusty parking lots, and it’s silly to have them accumulating in my studio when this book could take them that next step… to become wonderful, eerie art.
I dare you to use the “Look Inside” feature at Amazon, and not lust after this book.
Well, maybe you’re a stronger person than I am. While writing this, I clicked and bought it.
About Aisling
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The thing about this book is the photography is bad.
You have to study some of the photographs to make them out.
The photos are too small and there’s too much clutter in all the same color.
I was disappointed.
There are many many dangerous books out now. I don’t know how I will protect myself.
Love LK Ludwig’s books. Love them.
And then there’s Where Women Create which has me salivating for wonderful studio space.
And the art journaling books are coming out fast and furious.
I’m such a newbie to art journaling, barely managing to work up my courage to actually create . . . before starting the few pages I’ve attempted, I managed to buy:
1. Journal Spilling
2. The Decorated Page
3. The Decorated Journal
4. Wide Open: Inspiration and Techniques for art journaling on the edge
Do you know anything of these books? I’m really liking the first one right now–so straightforward and colorful. But then again, so is your blog!