Altered Art Circus: Techniques for Journals, Paper Dolls, Art Cards, and Assemblages

By Lisa Kettell

Book Overview

Art Circus takes the reader on a magical journey into the artistic world where they can discover their creative muse which is waiting to come out and play. It is at heart a technique book for altered artists, but is housed within a wonderful, spectacular fantasy land. The book will bring the reader, the daydreamer, the explorer, the artist, to a place have never been, where they can unleash their artistic dreams and explore hidden worlds through cutting-edge techniques, creative projects, and beautiful images. The book will include easy tutorials on basic digital altering effects for new and vintage images, step by step instruction for projects, a gallery of inspirational projects from other artists, and clip art and vintage images for readers to use in their own projects. The book will cover digital and paper alteration, creating from found and household objects (jars and boxes), will feature playful illustration, vintage imagery, and use a myriad of other mixed-media materials ranging from glitter and wire to crinolin and coloring agents.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1592534872
• ISBN13: 9781592534876
• Release Date: February 2009
• Publisher: Quarry Books
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 1.22 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.0" x 0.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

A Fun Experience

It was an enjoyable experience looking through this book.I would rate it as a wonderful book with loads of inspiration and great ideas.

Wonderfuly Creative!

I have known Lisa (the author)for several years. She always had a wonderful capacity for creating beautiful dreamlike art. In this easy to follow instructional book, you too can explore artistic fantasy where there aren't any boundries. Too many so called art books seem to show only limited ways of creating where Altered Art Circus allows you to find the artist inside of you. This is truly a fantastic book.

Lots of Eye Candy in Here!

This book contains a plethora of fun-to-make and unique projects which are sure to appeal to those who love art dolls, the circus and nostalgia, in general. It is an absolute delight to the senses. The step-by-step tutorials are easy to follow. Discover new techniques for creating assemblages, fantasy-based altered art and other magical projects utilizing items such as glitter, crinoline, crepe paper, found objects and household items. A sampling of adorable vintage images/clip art is also included at the back of the book for the reader to use in their projects. In addition, a gallery of inspirational works from other artists helps to get the reader's creative juices flowing. I am pleased to say that I am featured as a guest artist in this wonderful book. Even before I was asked to participate, I was a longtime fan of Lisa's whimsical and delightful creations. Be warned - you may become addicted to the eye candy in this book. Before you get started crafting, grab a cup of tea and spend time pouring through the beautiful images contained within. It's one of those kinds of books that you will enjoy referring to time and time again.

Love this book!

I just got this book yesterday and I love it. I would highly recommend it...its way more than circus art, the projects are soooo cute, the free collage sheets at the back are great, and the projects and photo's are very inspiring! I love the Marie Antionette idea's and have to say this is my most fav art book I have bought in a while!

Overdosing on Eye Candy!

From the cover inward, this colorful book is a treat for the senses! All of the projects are simply amazing eye candy creations and demonstrate the whimsy and wonder of the author, artist Lisa Kettell. At the same time, the projects are easy enough that you can recreate them yourself, and fun enough that you can do them with children. Or if not, then just let the book bring out the child in you! There is a generous section of copyright-free art to get you started, and there is a gallery of ideas from contributing artists. Even if you've never made an artist trading card before, there is a how-to section for ATCs. By far, my favorite projects are the circus wagon cars and the embellished circus animals. As sort of the namesakes of the book, they are enchanting, imaginative, colorful and delightful. You'll find yourself heading to the craft store for rubber animals in no time. I did. Disclaimer: Yes! I am one of the featured artists in the Gallery in this book, so of course I would give it a good review! But, it really IS good, and one should buy it just to look at page 109!