Living Into Art: Journeys Through Collage

This book is about people who expressed their lives, emotion, feelings, experiences in collage art work on a regular basis at a studio in California. It contains individual stories about the creation of a collage by each person and how their inner life became reflected in the work they did each week at the studio. I loved the stories and thoughts about each person's process and progress. How interesting that someone put all this into a lovely book to share with us. This was the first book I read when I started to work on collage. It took the fear out of starting and inspired me to just have fun and see what happens.

This is a beautifully produced book, with tons of gorgeous collages. What we aren't given is any information about physical process or materials--what foundation papers? Glues? Where are the images coming from? Also, these collages are so slick, I could swear they were digital, although the authors' descriptions of their workshops make it sound as though all collages are created on the spot and then critiqued by the group. Most of the text is psychologically-based, in an art therapy environment. I don't know about the therapy but those collages look pretty darn professional to me. I usually like books of this nature to at least offer one chapter, or page even, of basic instruction in the techniques and materials they're using.

I own many art books, but Living Into Art is the one that has had the most significant impact on my personal art journey. It has inspired me in ways that no other book has. I have read it several times and will continue to read and reread it. I wish I lived near Sonoma in order to be part of the collage studio experience that Lindsay has so eloquently elucidated. The power of the women's experiences in that art community is so tangible when you read each chapter. This is the book that I most recommend to my artist friends.

I gave this book to someone what makes all sorts of collages, especially the personal ones. I recommend it, because my friend likes it very much.

Lovely copy, using it in class.

I LOVE this book and the inspiration it has provided. I gave it as a gift after I bought it for myself.

This is an inspiring book. It's about community. Made me want to move to Sonoma and join the group. Well written, well constructed book. One talented writer. I liked the art, too. I did a nice collage myself. Hope to do more, especially with my own photos and Photoshop.

A beautifully designed and well-written art book that integrates psychological and spiritual self-awareness in individuals exploring artistic self-expression. A physically gorgeous book with remarkable collages worthy of contemplation. We should all have such a safe and supportive studio-workshop setting to explore our creativity, and ourselves, with others. A marvelous template to create just such a place in our own community. (Artist and Psychologist)

I loved this book. I hesitated to buy it - it's on the expensive side - but am so glad that I did. The collage images have shown me how I can take my own collage work to the next level, and the stories of the journeys of various artists are inspiring.Lindsay Whiting does a good job of showing us that the process of making a collage isn't at all difficult and that we will reap many rewards if we have the courage to ask ourselves what the images mean to us.Other reviewers have said that it didn't help them learn how to do collage. I didn't find that. If you're looking for the very basics of what glue to use and which substrates work well, that's a quick search on the internet. If you want to see the possibilities, possibilities each of us are very capable of achieving, Living into Art is well worth your time.