Mixed-Media Nature Journals: New Techniques for Exploring Nature, Life, and Memory

When I first began browing though this book, I thought to myself "Oh my goodness, how could I ever do anything this beautiful and complicated?" But LK does a wonderful job breaking down her unique images into step-by-step instructions. She includes specific tips for working with a new art material that will help you sail past the trial-by-error part of experimenting and art-making. I really enjoyed her idea of printing natural texture onto metal foil (pg 60) because it's really simple. A sheet of metal, some patina solution and a patch of grass. Viola! I tried it and is works like a charm. Using this technique, I created some interesting background pieces I can use as mats for my image transfer photos. LK walks that fine line between creating a visually-stunning book that's beautiful enough to inspire seasoned artsits while still featuring interesting techniques that are accessible to the fearless crafter. Mixed-Media Nature Journals is a gorgeous book, rich with texture and chocked full of creativity.

A wonderful guide to connecting the natural world to my feelings and spirituality. This book employs the beauty of nature and artistic talent to aid in a beautiful final product. It demonstrates new, creative, and fun ideas that translate into one of a kind, meaningful pieces of work. As a marine biologist, I am anxious to use her leaf printing techniques on the various seaweeds that wash ashore. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a new avenue in the art world. My journals will never be the same. Thank you, L.K. Ludwig.

I loved this book. I pick up unique finds all the time, especially at the beach. I love to photograph living things there. This book gave me some great techniques on how to incorporate them into journals, as well as construction and layout of the journals. I really liked the pocket ideas. They are great for storing and being able to accesss my "finds". It has also inspired my teenager to start a collection and incorporate her own artistic voice onto a journal.

Prepare to dig deep and jump in. LK has written a book that is bursting with art, facts, quotes and carefully written step by step instructions for creating your own journal pages or simply one of a kind pieces of art. Meaning and content seep out of every pore of the photographs of her beautiful work as she encourages you every step of the way to link your feelings, thoughts and words to images that surround you every day and gives you the tools and techniques to do so. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to really connect to the natural world and embrace the art of personal communication through imagery.

It would be easy to open the pages of this book and think to one's self, "Oh, I could never do this!" Wrong. This great little volume is a perfect primer for anyone interested in journaling and a real mind expander for those of us who tend to just write the same stuff over and over. My only disappointment is that these photos don't really do justice to this artists amazing work! Having taken a class or two with this fine teacher, I can attest to both the excellence and doability of these techniques. This book is a keepsake worth owning for anyone interested in journaling. It opens up whole new vistas for what to do with the the stuff we rake up from the yard and gives a whole new meaning to the term "junk". I came away from my first reading juiced up and ready to create. A must have on the shelf or every journaler! CP