Making Shadow Boxes and Shrines

by Kathy Cana-Murillo and Kathy Cano-Murillo

Throughout history, human beings have kept physical reminders and mementos of loved ones, popular icons and significant life events. Shrines and shadow boxes - three-dimensional collages set into a... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1564968952
• ISBN13: 9781564968951
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Rockport Publishers
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.5" x 11.1"

Customer Reviews

Welcome to the Third Dimension

I got it to learn about wall mounted dioramas, but it gave me ideas for other projects as well.

True inspiration - Great jumping off from scrapbooking!

I admit it, I bought this book as a whim. But I have always been fascinated with shadow boxes and shrines. Holy cow! Was I in for a shock! There is so much more to it than I had ever imagined! Cano-Murillo shows such a myriad of shadow boxes and shrines that I had no idea was possible. It really opened the door to my imagination and got my juices flowing. I made a box about my memories of the NJ shore growing up, and one about my desire for a Chinese adoption. I'm now planning one to celebrate my 3 year old daughter. This book has it all - enchanting shadow boxes that look like something from old England, bright exciting Mardi Gras style boxes, Hispanic style boxes, boxes made from toy cars, boxes made from cough drop cases, you name it - if it's a small hollowed out vessel, it can become a shrine of your hopes and memories. Cano-Murillo will help you develop your creativity and delve into your memories to create a shrine that reflects who you are. A truly excellent book, with, I'll say it again, inspiring writing and words of wisdom, I truly feel this is an excellent book well worth investing in. Highest recommendation.

Fabulous ideas, and a lot of variety!

I regularly teach classes about making art shrines, and this book provides glorious and diverse examples of what you can do with shrines and shadowboxes. If you've enjoyed scrapbooking and two-dimensional art but are ready to explore something with more visual contrast, drama and (literal) depth, this is a tremendous book to own. You'll refer to it often. Really, I've been teaching shrine-making to other artists for over three years now, and I don't need to buy ho-hum books. I have enough great ideas in my head already. But, when I need a fresh source of inspiration or to broaden my approach to this kind of art, this book is wonderful.Whether you're new to this form or art, or an experienced assemblage artist, I recommend this book.

Coming from a shrine making goddess...

I was very impressed with this book. I have been making shrines and collage boxes (for personal, not commerical purposes) in all shapes and sizes for a few years now and have noticed how much this art form has come into the mainstream.What I liked about this book is that it didn't fall into the usual rubber stamping and gift tag syndrome I see in so many art magazines and books. I like that all the designs and themes shown here are very original and innovative without the use of the entire stock of a scrap book store. I also like how there is a lot of text that goes into the meaning. This is one of those areas where you really have to know the history behind it before you start. First and foremost, shrine making is a way to heal and inspire yourself to better yourself. This showed healing without being hokey. But I have to say my all time favorite is that skeleton French cafe box (from Mexico's Day of the Dead holiday). I wish it would have had directions. Otherwise, I really have to say I picked up on a some new ideas in an area where I thought I had tried everything. I encourage EVERYONE to make a shrine or collage box, you won't regret the experience. This book is a great launchpad.

Was very pleased with this book.

One of my favorite national assemblage artists, Janet Hofacker, has an art piece in this book that is true to her graceful style. I've seen her work in Somerset Studio magazine and was thrilled to see her featured here. This book also turned me on to several other assemblage artists as well. I liked that it was culturally diverse. I am an art teacher who is teaching a segment on this type of art form and plan to share this book with my class because it offers some easy and very inspiring launching pads. One thing that made this book different from many other books on the same topic, was the chapter sections, like on Joseph Cornell. The more people who know about him the better. I'm always happy to see new books on shrines.