Rating: 
Summary: Not so much art as craft
Review: Although this book does have some good ideas, it was disappointing. It might be called "The Art Of Paper Collage," but clearly the author comes from the world of scrapbooking and rubber stamping, not from the world of collage as a fine art. The examples she includes of her own work tend either toward Biblical themes or toward family memorabilia (ex: one collage is called "My Dad"). The writing style is oddly stilted. For example, instead of saying "You will find..." she chooses "It will be found that..." That kind of writing gets old very quickly, and should have been edited out. Explanations tend to be sparse. In the section about doing an acrylic underpainting,for example, there is very little information about how to do one, or about how to mesh the underpainting with the collage elements. There is also a strange lack of information about some tried-and-true elements of collage art, such as archival tissue and the many types of acrylic medium and acrylic modeling paste, and only a cursory look at Oriental papers, while an entire section is devoted to some new products that are of dubious value, such as glitter spray. I was dismayed, furthermore, to find that most of the products featured in that section just happen to be sold by a company the author is associated with. I ended up feeling like I had just spent a lot of money on an elaborate ad. Not only that, there is some misinformation: she claims that water-soluble polymer glues are considered archival "because they are reversible." That is NOT what makes a product archival--if that were the case, kindergarten paste would be considered archival. There are other, much better, books about the art of collage out there, if you are serious about the artistic aspects of it. Look for the ones by Nita Leland and Virginia Williams, and Gerald Brommer. Both are far better written, represent a much broader range of styles, and are not nearly as commercially self-serving.
Rating: 
Summary: Great for the Beginner
Review: Being new to Paper Collage, I found this book inspiring but I'm a fan of Susan anyway. It did lack some details in certain areas which was a bit frustrating but for me it was a great stepping stone to better things. The biblical themes are only Susan's interpritation of things - it allows you to do your own thing with a gentle push in the right direction. It does have a marketing angle but its not over the top like some I could mention. I will certainly refer to the Art of Paper Collage for a long time yet. A good first book for the beginner.
Rating: 
Summary: An expressive art-form showcase.
Review: Collaging is a soothing form of self-expression. It doesn't have to be a perfect work of art, because as with any craft or art you create, it's meaning is personal. If you are interested in finding out about collage, this book is a good place to start. Though the instructions are vague in places, the general intent is clear enough to allow anyone to express themselves through this art-form. Susan Pickering Rothamel's personal style leans toward the biblical, but that doesn't mean it's something that you must incorporate in to your work. Her collages are beautiful to look at and hold meaning for her! As a bonus, there is a gallery of other collage artists at the end of the book so that you can see for yourself the difference in styles. The photographs are great and the supplies are things that you can pick up in any art supply store, even Michael's or Hobby Lobby. Don't pass up this book as a novice guide to collaging. The art presented here will inspire and delight you.
Rating:
Summary: An expressive art-form showcase.
Review: Collaging is a soothing form of self-expression. It doesn't have to be a perfect work of art, because as with any craft or art you create, it's meaning is personal. If you are interested in finding out about collage, this book is a good place to start. Though the instructions are vague in places, the general intent is clear enough to allow anyone to express themselves through this art-form. Susan Pickering Rothamel's personal style leans toward the biblical, but that doesn't mean it's something that you must incorporate in to your work. Her collages are beautiful to look at and hold meaning for her! As a bonus, there is a gallery of other collage artists at the end of the book so that you can see for yourself the difference in styles. The photographs are great and the supplies are things that you can pick up in any art supply store, even Michael's or Hobby Lobby. Don't pass up this book as a novice guide to collaging. The art presented here will inspire and delight you.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely beautiful!
Review: Even though I am an accomplished collage artist, I still found new techniques and suggestions in this book inspiring and accessible. The themes, although Biblical by title, conveyed the author's knowledge of techniques and material usage without dumbing-down and catering to a beginner. Chapters showing the vast variety of collage styles including montage, assemblage, non-objective and figurative collage, as well as how to do/use techniques and materials such as pochoir, paste paper, and photo transfer make this one of the invaluable books to add to any artist's library.
Rating:
Summary: Art of Paper Collage
Review: how can anyone not be inspired by the work in this book! I was immediately infatuated with collage not to mention frustrated by having to go to work and not stay home to play ...
Rating:
Summary: Awesome
Review: how can anyone not be inspired by the work in this book! I was immediately infatuated with collage not to mention frustrated by having to go to work and not stay home to play ...
Rating:
Summary: Creativity unleashed
Review: I bought this book last Saturday on my way to a housewarming party. I was very rude and spent the whole evening holed up reading this wonderful book. I hardly talked to anyone at the party! It is a wonderful collection of collage. As a beginning collage artist, the first section about materials will really help me correct some of the mistakes I've made. The examples of Rothamel's collages sparked my creative juices so much I spent the next day (at work!) brainstorming and sketching out ideas for future collages. I loved this book; not just for the great information and the beautiful photos, but because it reinforced my desire to create beautiful collages. The gallery section was great, all the different artists with all their different styles are great examples of the diversity of art and collage. Gotta go...need to start tearing up paper.....
Rating: 
Summary: Nicely presented - helped some
Review: I enjoyed this book, because I am new to collage and loved the samples. Since I read Somerset Magazine, I don't usually see these types of collage there and I found them very nice. I did wish she would have explained the underpainting more, but I have seen her videos and they are very helpful. I was inspired by her art, don't care that she used Biblical themes or family themes. I have read a lot of older collage books and they didn't help me at all, I am glad I got them at the library. This book helped me look at papers in a different way and I appreciate that. I wish she did show more step-by-step pictures. Especially when she is assembling collages. That is what is truly missing. Maybe she put too much in the book with out enough instructions. But all-in-all I don't regret buying it and plan to try her style soon.
Rating:
Summary: Nicely presented - helped some
Review: I enjoyed this book, because I am new to collage and loved the samples. Since I read Somerset Magazine, I don't usually see these types of collage there and I found them very nice. I did wish she would have explained the underpainting more, but I have seen her videos and they are very helpful. I was inspired by her art, don't care that she used Biblical themes or family themes. I have read a lot of older collage books and they didn't help me at all, I am glad I got them at the library. This book helped me look at papers in a different way and I appreciate that. I wish she did show more step-by-step pictures. Especially when she is assembling collages. That is what is truly missing. Maybe she put too much in the book with out enough instructions. But all-in-all I don't regret buying it and plan to try her style soon.
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