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Book
Vintage Collage-Works

Author
Maryjo and Sunny Koch

Review
Lately I’ve found myself admiring functional collage art—the kind that doesn’t just sit on shelves or walls collecting dust; the kind that allows you to touch, feel, open, close, and actually use the art. So when I heard about Sunny and Maryjo’s book, Vintage Collage-Works, I just had to get a peek inside the book and I wasn’t disappointed.

Vintage Collage-Works contains 75 different project ideas, all of which are so easy to do that even a child can create collages. Each project can be built upon one another to create hundreds of one-of-a-kind works or used alone to create very simple, less complicated pieces of work.

The book starts out with a brief history lesson on where collage came from and how collage art has been used throughout history. Then it gives a list of tools needed to create vintage collages, followed by four techniques: image transfer, painting with gouache, aging and scumbling, and pressing and preserving. Next, the books shares instructions on creating collages with papers, wallpaper, sheet music, maps, boxes, metals, glass, and botanicals. Finally, the book closes with several pages of clipart that can be used to create personal works of art and a short resource list.

I really loved how the authors used old postcards and transformed them into beautiful miniature works of art with just a little paint and few added imagery. And page 115 offers a simple, yet elegant collage using a piece of bark, part of an old map, an old postcard, and personal photographs—all tying together one theme: Italy. I loved the idea of using old maps with personal images and area objects because it combines my obsession/desire to travel with my need to find new uses with for old objects.

Vintage Collage-Works is really simple to understand as the techniques are designed to help beginners create beautiful works of art instantly. What I really liked about this book is the fact that the authors use personal items combined with items found at flea markets and antique stores to create three dimensional works of art—not just paper art. It’s definitely a book I would recommend to anyone interested in learning about collage art, but may be intimated by the process.

Order Vintage Collage-Works Today!

Disclosure: The reviewer received a complimentary copy of the book to review.