Altered Art

Finding Your Artistic Voice

If you're at least a tad artsy or interested in paper crafts of a different order, why not explore the wonderful world of altered art? Since you can use everyday objects to create an objet d'art, altered forms are easy on your budget and a great way to recycle. The form doesn't necessarily rely on traditional artists' skills (drawing or painting) but does promote interest in learning more about them.

Here's a short list of titles on or related to the subject plus info on an upcoming library-sponsored workshop:

Altered Art : Techniques for Creating Altered Books, Boxes, Cards & More by Terry Taylor

Altered Books, Collaborative Journals, and Other Adventures in Bookmaking by Holly Harrison

New Directions in Altered Books by Gabe Cyr

Artist Trading Card Workshop : Create Collect Swap by Bernie Berlin

Print Workshop : Hand-Printing Techniques and Truly Original Projects by Christine Schmidt

Upcoming Workshop

Library staff member and altered bookmaker Phil Carr is slated to lead a workshop about artist cards, a form of altered art, on January 13, 1 p.m. Make your own 2½ x 3½" cards during the program using a number of techniques ranging from simple to extravagant. Information on how to participate in worldwide trading card swap groups will also be discussed. Click here to register for this free workshop.

Additional 'How-to' Titles
If you and your kids are interested in engineering, you might like to experiment with pop-up construction projects. More traditional books about bookbinding will also be helpful to undertaking an altered book project.