Creating Art at the Speed of Life: 30 Days of Mixed-Media Exploration

I enjoy well written books and I found Pam Carricker's book, Creating Art at the Speed of Life, very enjoyable and a must read for anyone wanting to explore art journaling. Many times these how to books are written by someone who has become a popular instructor and so a book explaining their methodology is trotted out to build on their popularity. However there are those who are so passionate about art they connect with others because they are full of the desire to help others excel. Pam is such an instructor. In this, her latest book called "Creating Art at the Speed of Life" she fills every page with really helpful tips on how to do what she is so passionate about: namely drawing, using color well and expressively, finding a voice on each page and making a book from start to finish without having to run to a craft store with a shopping list. I was particularly struck by the chapter on Sacred Spaces. I don't want to spoil the fun for anyone buying the book but you will love her clever ideas on how to use a self portrait and alter it. Archimbolde anyone????Her tutorials on using expressive line, the chapter on greys (using values) & grisaille struck me as well. None of the many books I've looked at having to do with art journaling have really covered the "art essentials." I have begun to assume that the reason so many so-called workshop instructors stress the fact that there is no wrong way to be creative is that they are merely responding to their own thirst for self expression and promoting the heck out out of their own artistic methodology. The fact is that there are some intrinsic things that art historians have seen commonly in art that really speaks to people through the centuries and Pam does not neglect to touch on some of these essential things. She starts with the color wheel but as the book goes through the daily steps of creating, - yes by the time you are through the book you will have created an entire book, - she has exercises to help you learn how to create with expressive line (an artistic element) positive and negative space (another), and even the use of shading and values. And she makes it fun and engaging and appealing. she is a superb and passionate teacher.I am an artist but as most artists would tell you we always study new things and new ways to do what we already think we know. I am having a lot of fun being a student in this book! I don't need to use the templates provided ( a thoughtful inclusion in this book) but I am following the guidelines as though I knew nothing just to see if I can learn like a newbie and I have learned some things!So get this book even if you never get another this will launch you in a most positive and creative direction.

I agree mostly with all the positive reviews of this book, so let's just say yes, Carriker's book is wonderful and all that, but as a help to those who attempt to do all the projects, I thought I'd add my own input.First of all, the handmade book: Just know that you are not making an especially well-put together book with these instructions Carriker provides. I followed them to the T, but found that the Sticky Back Canvas did not stick well enough even on the outer paper, so the spine of the book was not held together well enough with the two pieces of tape she specifies. That said, I put twice the tape and used Archival PVA and some cheesecloth over the spine and glued it to the front cover, as a sort of homemade 'super' cloth. BTW, I had to research several websites and Youtube to find better ways to bind a book. I think a list of resources to make a better quality bound book (as an option) would have been nice. After all, you're putting hours of work into this thing--you want it to last!Also regarding the book, Carriker states she uses 90 lb paper, and I could only find 140 lb Hot Press at the local stores. I am so glad I used it instead! I honestly don't think 90 lb. would have stood up under all the multiple processes described in her instructions. It's not as easy to fold and tear--I had to score it a few times and bend the paper both ways. Some people not experinced with heavy watercolor paper may not know to do this.I've been doing artwork for some time now, and still had to do practice pages of some of her techniques, which I recommend, as I think she does assume some prior knowledge of how to use paint and so on. About the art supplies themselves, I'm glad she listed alternatives as I have yet to find a "Bingo Dauber" after visiting our town's 3 art supply stores.All this being said, I really appreciate Carriker's book as it's helped me get past a creative block I've had for over two years. It was fun (but expensive!) but worth it to make the handmade book, as that way there's more of a sense of the entire book being a work of art.I'll try and update this post when I'm done with the book.

I've been working my way through Pam's book for a while - not her fault, all mine! I'm enjoying that even though I've taken on-line classes from her for a few years that I am learning a lot of new to me techniques! Not all of them will become favorites but I think that is what her evaluation sheet is for and I'm finding that I'm enjoying using that with each of the lessons. The lessons are inventive yet manageable and the bits of notes here and there help me move past some of my "i'm not sure what to do next" pauses. I love her artistic style and because I have taken classes, I'm enjoying having Pam's voice go through my head as I move through the lessons.I think the lessons are well crafted and as I said manageable - I'm finding that if I'm not enamored of a lesson that I still move through it to the end so that I can get the learning out of it as intended...but I do not have SO MUCH invested in it that it drains me. I wanted to work through this book to get me out of a low energy art patch and it is doing that for me and then some. The range of lessons are pretty broad and I have to believe that if you are interested in mixed media that you will come out of this with at least one new favorite process!

It took me a while to realise this was a new book - at first I thought it was Art at the Speed of Life re-issued with a new cover!! As soon as I realised it was something different, i had to order it, as the first book is wonderful. This one does not disappoint at all. In fact, in some ways it's even better with thirty projects to try, incorporating very many techniques. Sumptuously illustrated as before, a delight to thumb through in addition to all the practical tips and inspiring ideas. Thoroughly recommended.

Excellent book with lots to try & consider.You do need both books by this author because they work together

A great book, some great ideas.

wonderful artist. I love this book for my mixed media purposes.