This Review is written by Michelle Brown

Here is my review of Taking Flight by Kelly Rae Roberts . Published by North Light Books 2008.

Overview of book:

I love Kelly Rae’s artwork; the faces, the colourings and the layering each of her mixed media collages. I sat down to read and soon found I needed to get my hands painty as well, so don’t expect it to be a passively read book!

Each chapter begins with lovely, in depth thoughts by Kelly around the theme for that chapter. Then one of the contributing artists answers questions around the theme and talks about their own artwork. Finally, each chapter has a project, with step by step photos and instructions. The seven chapters include themes of Unearthing buried dreams, Facing your fears, Honouring Memories and Embracing the journey, to name a few.

Favourite part:

I loved both Kelly’s in depth narration for each topic and her step by step photos, showing how she created her lovely, layered mixed media artwork.

I jumped in with both feet and created this art journal page, with background collage and then painted a face; it was a bit scary to get started on the face. I didn’t want to ruin my lovely background. I sketched the face out first, then transferred the key features onto the layout, took a really BIG deep breath and started painting.

Least favourite part:

Each chapter has a section for recording your own thoughts, with prompts – I skipped over those on my first read through.

Overall recommendation:

Great book for those looking to develop your own style or uncertain about stepping into a creative life. It is a book that I will return to, again and again, as I travel through my own creative journey.
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