Urgent 2nd Class: Creating Curious Collage, Dubious Documents, and Other Art from Ephemera

I have just finished reading this amazing book and will be starting again from the beginning tomorrow. I'm just starting to get into arts and crafts and am currently a bumbling amateur, but I found this book so beautiful and really inspiring. I loved reading about the creative process and the tips for finding materials; the book makes you look at the detritus of the everyday world in a whole new way! I can't wait to try replicating some of the images here and I'm sure I will learn a lot from the experience. Highly recommended!

If you are looking for a "how-to" book resulting in cookie-cutter images, then you may want to pass on this one. However; if you are looking for inspiration and the "why" rather than the "how" then this is the book for you. I literally read this book from cover to cover and just like a good novel, found it to be a page-turner. Nick Bantock takes the reader through the various types of ephemera and the reasons he chose the techniques used to produce his thought (and emotion) provoking works. I was absolutely enthralled and found my own muse stimulated to produce works of my own. Granted this book does not give step-by-step directions for creating the effects demonstrated, but isn't that part of the attraction of our chosen medium; the discovery of new techniques and processes that result in the look, feeling, and thoughts we are trying to convey? For true collage and assemblage artists this is an absolute must have. Copy-cats and weekend crafters may wish to pass.

This is not a novel and one shouldn't be expecting a story (although you get lots of them) This book is like hanging out in Nick's studio as he works and talks about creating art. It's not a step by step guide, or a how-to on collage, but more of a peek into the life and art of Mr. Bantock. It's a delightful journey filled with lovingly collected ephemera, rubber stamps, odd bits and pieces that come with a story, or are waiting for Nick to create a story with them. The book is written in a casual chatty manner which makes it an easy read, but at the same time he is explaining his process for creating some of the gorgeous art he has done over the years. If you're looking for a how-to book, or a Griffin & Sabine novel, you're not going to find it here. This is a far more personal book and fans of Mr. Bantock's art will love having a closer look at the way he thinks and works. Buy it, read it, love it.

Really neat ideas. The images in here are superb and I love how the book is arranged by materials - e.g. old documents, foreign currency, postage stamps, old envelopes, etc. The images show how you can take these found items and then stamp over them or collage with them to create stories in images. The text is really good too - well written and interesting ideas throughout that talks to where to find the materials, things to look for, tips and techniques for assembling collages. Its simply wonderful - it really is like a class in a book but it feels like you're just chatting with an artsy friend sharing ideas. Just to manage expectations....there are no projects with step by step instructions in here. I had expected projects when I ordered the book and was a little surprised when I received it but after I started reading it I absolutely loved it and decided I really like the format and style.

Nick's book is not about technique. Probably because there isn't much technique involved that can't be explained in two lines. What this book is really about is seeing the potential of items through Nick's eyes. It is really amazing what can be made with stuff anyone comes across. I found it eye and mind opening. Great stuff on creating documents, photos, books, stamps etc.