"Liberating" and "calming" are two words I often hear from new altered book artists and enthusiasts.
Many stampers and scrapbookers already have most of the supplies needed for altered books. If you find that you are lacking anything, don’t panic. There are many embellishments, papers, inks, paints, and other materials on the market today. It won’t be difficult to find just what you need.
Wax paper is a "must have". You may soon be using more at your art table than in the kitchen. It’s helpful to place it between pages to keep them from sticking together. A good adhesive is another item that will affect the outcome of your altered book. My all around favorite is PVA Adhesive by Books by Hand. Sobo Glue is a great second choice. One important thing to remember about using adhesives is that less is more. Dried adhesive oozing out from between pages is not attractive.
Once you have selected a book, jot down notes about particular pages or passages, or insert a paper clip or bookmark to make sure you don’t end up gluing important pages together by mistake. This will help you remember your initial impressions when you go back to alter the pages. Many times your plan will change as the book takes shape, and those initial ideas may take a new direction.
This altered book focuses on tropical flowers. Some of the flowers are soft and delicate while others are bold and dramatic. The differences in flower characteristics call for the use of different colors and styles to feature the flowers.
Choose a page with an image or passage of text that really inspires you or sparks your creativity. Try a new technique. Let the technique guide you. Experiment with a new paint, glue some pages together, find which adhesives work best for you, or mask out a few words that catch your attention. Never used gel medium before? Why not try it out? Try using gesso to cover a few areas. Experiment with all of the art supplies and paper scraps you’ve collected. Take a class!
Don’t limit yourself to completing pages in order. If the last page jumps out at you, that is where you should begin. Discover and design wherever the mood strikes! It actually helps to have more than one altered book in progress at any given time. Since drying time is often a factor, you can work on another book while you wait, or if you just happen to be in an expressive frame of mind.
Creative Block? - My favorite source of inspiration is my collection of books of quotes and poetry. The online quotation sources are also very helpful as you can search by subject. Look at your book: does the cover, shape or size give you any clues? Do you remember why you were originally drawn to the book?
When you are not sure where to begin, just putting some paint on the pages seems to be enough to get an idea to emerge. On a really tough day, just paint or sponge backgrounds.
Many altered book artists include original poetry and art in their books and journals in addition to collage of found images and materials. Feel free to journal in your book. Make it something you share with friends and loved ones, or keep it for your most private thoughts, if you wish. My guess is that you will want to share it.
