More on Books

I’m reading and/or looking at two books right now that I really like.
The first is Wabi Sabi for Writers by Richard Powell. Here’s a good quote: “You have to set out with a goal in mind but be ready at a moment’s notice to drop the goal so you can attend to the insight.”
Another book I’m enjoying is Visual Chronicles: The No-Fear Guide to Creating Art Journals, Creative Manifestos & Altered Books by Linda Woods and Karen Dinino. Like Claudine Hellmuth’s two books, I personally think Visual Chronicles is a must-have and I highly recommend it.
While I understand and admire the kitchen-sink approach to making art, it’s not what I do myself. When there’s too much going on in a craft book visually, I find it hard to settle in and make use of the techniques. But Woods’ and Dinino’s approach to journaling is elegant, spare and right up my alley. I particularly like the way their words relate to their images. It moves things above the strictly decorative and gives their work meaning.
I noticed in the acknowledgements that Tonia Davenport—the woman who edited Bernie Berlin's book and Claudine's latest—is the editor here too. Davenport obviously has a real gift for making everything hang together visually and capturing the essence of each book book she works on.
P.S. Jeanne—this ATC is for you!