Books to Nourish Your Creativity...January Reading Recommendations...

Long before man was able to write, he communicated by drawing images in the dirt, on cave walls, in temples and great graves. He left behind his history…story of his existance. It is through our stories that we connect to each other. As artist we continue to pass on our stories. We choose what we share and how it is shared. Our stories are important and we need to share them.

Every collage has a tale to tell.

Tell your story in paper, fabric, and objects collected from your world. Storytelling With Collage will inspire you to capture your poetic thoughts, fond memories and passionate daydreams in a soft and simple style. Using simple tools and supplies that delight you, you'll learn to work with a variety of prompts and will discover how each element you select--from small shells collected on your last trip to the pretty paper you unwrapped from a recent gift--has its own part of a complete narrative. Nine collage prompts will walk you step-by-step through a collage creation as you work with textured papers, fabric, stitching, found objects, images, natural materials, color, wax and metal.

In addition, inside you will find:

   • Numerous Tasks--ideas for combing your world for collage fodder
   • Beautiful photos to inspire you to customize your own worktable
   • Perspective on finding inspiration outside your window through the seasons
   • Extra inspiration in each chapter from the Collage Stories and works by 25 contributing artists
Capture the textures and colors of your moments today through your own Storytelling With Collage!

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Storytelling Art Studio is the guide that will show you how to create mixed media art that tells impactful stories. It's a creative guide for mining your own life to manifest imaginary worlds, emotional narratives and clever characters. Each chapter presents a new subject--you may paint a tree, collage a landscape or use sgraffito to create a scene. You will begin with inspirational warm-up exercises, then learn how to do it with a step-by-step demonstration and even get to see alternate versions of the piece that explore the magic and impact of different choices.

Perfect for you no matter what your skill level or style, this guide does not have to be read in order. Simply choose what you would like to do and go for it! You might:

   • Paint and collage trees and landscapes
   • Create a romantic scene with sgraffito
   • Add color to black and white photographs
   • Alter a book page
   • Create a family tree with ephemera
   • And much, much more!
10 projects and 10 inspiration exercises!

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​The author of Storytelling with Collage, Roxanne Evans Stout, presents a vibrant compilation of rich photographs, unique mixed-media art and prose that not only tell her story but will lovingly empower you to tell yours, as well.As this stunning and visually-poetic book unfolds, you’ll be inspired in many ways:- Uplifted by your original connection to art- Encouraged to see the beauty in your own world - Reminded to honor your unique creative processPrompts and evocative questions sprinkled throughout, invite you to reflect and contemplate your own story. These pages call you to add to them—to write, draw or even collage—and in the process, you will embark on a journey of true self discovery.

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“I hope you will go out and let stories happen to you, and that you will work them, water them with your tears and your blood and your laughter till they bloom, till you yourself burst into bloom.”
– Clarissa Pinkola Estés

Thank You for joining me this month. I hope you will find this months favorite reads both inspiring and helpful. I am looking forward to all the creative fun and experiences already on the calendar for February.
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Suzzanna Frank Fine Art
Suzzanna Frank
Studio & Gallery 606
1310 Pendleton Street 
Cincinnati,Ohio 45202
www.suzzannafrank.com