Spilling Open : The Art of Becoming Yourself

Rating:
Summary: Crunchy and smooth on a Sunday afternoon...
Review: I read every word in this book in two days and it brought me through the full spectrum of life's richest emotions, from my own clunkyness to an etherial readers high of life and spirit. There is freedom here, and I am so pleased that the world supports visions like Sabrina's. Be passionate and life will bring you it's fullness...

Rating:
Summary: A little too depressing for a Self-Help book
Review: I read Sark I know how she guest-stars Sabrina Ward-Harrison in her books, so I looked forward to reading a copy of Sabrina's book. First off: The art is gorgeous. Really. Her collages are very personal and her effort pays off hansomly. On the other hand, the content of the book itself is pretty much a big downer. There's no resolution to any of her dillemas, just a big complaint about how she feels she has no control about her esteem-lacking life. I'm sure that if I knew her I would be feeling much different. But there isn't the payoff that comes with seeing the other side of her personality. I do hope she keeps writing (she does have promise and her art is great), but her next piece has more "arc" to it from the internally repressed to the externally liberated.

Rating:
Summary: Be Brave on the Rocks
Review: I think Sabrina Ward Harrison must be an angel. All the beautiful words and thoughts that flow through her mind filled my heart with empathy,creativity, inspiration, and hope. Sometimes we feel very alone and don't know if anyone can understand what's in our head...Sabrina's work showed me that I was not alone and gave me hope to believe that none of us are ever,really. Be brave on the rocks.

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Summary: MULTIMEDIA JOURNALING FOR THE CREATIVE EDGE
Review: I was fortunate enough to meet the author at a seminar she gave at the 92nd street Y in New York. I saw a small article in the New York Times about the workshop, jumped into a cap and was at the seminar 1/2 hour later. It was modestly priced and the book came as part of the deal. This is an extraordinary journaling method that seems to be a cross between keeping a diary, scrapbooking and artistry. We started our 'journals' in the class and I still add to mine. What makes this so different is that the author encourages you to use your creativity not just cut and paste or write. Without seeing this book you can't possibly realize how creative you can be. Bored with life, think you're in a rut on your job, just fired? On Vacation -- this is the book you need to buy immediately. Also see if you can buy a blank journal (don't know if Amazon.com sells them) but I'm sure you can find one at your local bookstore or stationery store. Or make one using your typewriter paper by putting it into a three ring binder. Don't worry you can decorate the binder so it will be a piece of art to cherish. You can share your journal with others or just keep it sacred and hide it in your underwear drawer or under a plant because by using it you will grow creatively. Yes, the author is an artist but what's so fascinating is once you 'get' how she does her journaling, you'll realize you can be an 'artist' too. No classes required.
This is journaling for the multimedia person. Add an audiotape or use these techniques on a personal web-page or blog and you breakthrough the clutter of print. Ever thought that your life was too boring for a journal? Ever get overwhelmed in presenting your thoughts or is it just too difficult a time to find the right words to write? Then this technique can help you breakthrough to express what's inside and to create a glorious journal of memorabilia for the future.

Rating:
Summary: Too busy!
Review: I was very much looking forward to reading this book. I met the author at one of SARK's gatherings last summer and was very interested in reading what she had to say. When I opened up the book, however, there was so much stuff (literally) on each page that I could not focus on any of the text. Also, the font is very difficult to read. If you can only take in so much stimulation at a time, avoid this book!

Rating:
Summary: This book changed my life
Review: I would have to recommend this book for any young spirit--Sabrina invites her readers to spill open and be themselves. This book has truly changed my life!

Rating:
Summary: This book changed my life
Review: I would have to recommend this book for any young spirit--Sabrina invites her readers to spill open and be themselves. This book has truly changed my life!

Rating:
Summary: "Spilling" but uninspiring
Review: I'm a big art fan and *adore* journals, but this book just didn't do anything for me. Sabrina tries very hard to be this uplifting, creative, inspiring artist, but she just doesn't fit the role. Her writing is too cliche -- yes, we know being a girl is hard, yes, we know girls feel fat sometimes, but do we really want to hear another writer whining about it? -- and her art, though pretty sometimes, is ultimately untalented. It's a good picture book to get from the library, but if you're going to buy something, you're better off with 'the Journey is the Destination' by Dan Eldon or 'Succulent Wild Woman' by Sark.

Rating:
Summary: Another sucessful illustrated book.
Review: Lately there seems to be a surge in the popularity of illustrated books for adults--possibly the success of the Nick Bantock series is to thank for opening this avenue. Sabrina Ward Harrison spills herself onto the pages with ease and grace. Although sometimes the content can edge on teenage angst, the book is beautifully, artfully done. Her sense of self illustrated through her artwork is amazingly conceived for someone so young. She shares her life so honestly with us. I wish I had had this book to inspire me when I was 19. Although the content and feel is very different, another "art-journal" to see is Dan Eldon's "The Journey is the Destination," 1997, Chronicle Books.

Rating:
Summary: wonderful. beautiful. inspiring.
Review: My most favorite and treasured book, Sabrina has captured in words, collaged images, and paintings, what it's like to grow up and into a young woman. All the aching, longing, wonder, and joy in her life is expressed in a way that is so encouraging. She reminds herself that she is brave, and she is, for having shown her fragility, her willingness to grow, her quest for love.

I, too, am on a quest for truth & beauty in my own life and Spilling Open brings out the part of me that longs to share my own story in scribbles and spills.