My AA (altered art)-

    When I talk about my altered art and the altered books that I am working on, I often get a few quizzical faces.  I guess I just assume that by now everyone knows what altered art is all about, but we know what kind of trouble we can get into when we start assuming things.   I usually just end up taking some of these items to show them. It's easier than trying to explain it.   Most seem very interested and make comments like, "you are so crafty" or "you are so talented".  

      The truth is, anyone can make altered art.  There is no right way or wrong way to do it. You do not need any formal art training;  just a passion for combining color and texture using different mediums.   The altered art that I create is usually done with items that I have on had. Found objects are even better.  Just search the internet for altered art or altered books and you will find a vast array of websites, blogs and artists.  

WARNING: This activity may become habit forming!




      I am blessed to be in an altered book club which we call our Altered Book Consortium-ABC for short.  We meet once a month to share ideas and materials, but our main focus is our participation in a "round robin".  Each person in our group brings in a book, for which they have chosen a title or theme.  They create a page spread in their book first to start things off and then for the subsequent months, we take turns doing a page in each others book.  When we have all had a chance to do a page in everyones book, that round robin ends.  We create a cover for our own book to finalize our project and then we begin a new round robin.  It gives us the opportunity to see different interpretations of our theme as well as have a handbook so to speak of various artist's techniques.  Having an on-going project encourages us to stay artistically active.

       These are a few of the pages that I have done in the last couple of round robins:

      If doing a round robin interests you, there are many on-line opportunities to participate in one.  http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/roro.html is a great place to start.