Create Your Life Book: Mixed-Media Art Projects for Expanding Creativity and Encouraging Personal Growth

I don’t usually tend to leave reviews, but this book deserves to be reviewed. This much anticipated and long long awaited book is finally in my paint covered hands!!!! I bought this on pre-order months ago when Tam announced the release of her book and have anxiously been waiting for it’s release. I finally got it in the mail yesterday and I have read it cover to cover twice. I have been taking LifeBook with Tam since 2012 when she first started her LifeBook workshop. If you have been on the fence about taking an online workshop or class, I highly highly recommend taking the LifeBook course for any artist whether you are brand new to mixed media or have been doing mixed media for a while. But this review is about the book now isn’t it?!? This book is awesome from cover to cover with lots of beautiful color, beautiful artwork and easy to follow tutorials of some of Tam’s best works, along with projects from some other wonderful mixed media artists.... Mystele Kirkeeng, Ivy Newport, Effy Wild, Andrea Gomall, Alena Hennessy, and Roxanne Coble. (All of these artists have participated in the LifeBook course over the years) Tam takes you on a wonderful journey of self-love, self-discovery, self-acceptance, and healing through meditation, art and creativity. I love that she touches on supplies she loves use and what supplies will be used throughout the book, but doesn’t overwhelm you or whack you over the head with them. There are lots of step by step photos in the tutorials which will be especially helpful for those who are new to mixed media. For those who have taken any of Tam’s classes will have seen many of the projects she does throughout the book. That said, even if you have taken Tam’s classes, this book is definitely a must have for your art arsenal!! This book will not disappoint!!!! I would definitely recommend it, and I’m even going to buy this book for a few of my mixed media friends!!!

Well written project book that soothes the soul as well as stirring one’s latent creativity. Beautiful and colorful illustrations stoke the imagination! The seller was quick to send my order; it arrived in good condition and well packaged.

I came across this TREASURE by accident and I couldn’t be more grateful and thankful! The pictures do NOT do it justice at all! During THAT STAGE OF LOCKED AWAY, I went to tutorials for watercolor, acrylic, and gouache to name a few and found that overall my favorite medium has always been MIXED MEDIA or INK AND WASH type although, I add watercolor to the switch-up. I haven’t found any type mixed media books that I desired to purchase that were as PERFECT as this one in so many ways and then some! Not only did the cover catch my eye quickly BUT, it was the description and other reviews that led to my decision to purchase immediately. The TITLE alone is WORTH THE PURCHASE if you are looking for a self-help type workbook that blends mixed media with the added benefits of connecting to your inner-child healing, anxiety, trauma past and more. Each chapter is a NEW BEGINNING for yourself and when you are DONE, you have a constant reminder of the path and art that helped ease the negative and replace with the positive. The lessons are eye-opening, soul-searching, relaxing, calming, explorative, and definitely healing and will transform your life after years of always coping the best you could, hiding deep within, playing for other’s and not yourself, and once all these and the above are successfully accomplished, the way other’s see you/you see yourself will have you looking out into the world from a wonderful and different light. Totally recommend to all those that might be experiencing the above or more as well as all those wanting that special time to devote to creativity, mindfulness, self-reflection etc.

Beautifully illustrated, well-written instructions and multiples of different type of projects utilizing a reasonable variety of supplies. One need not own everything to be able to work these, and some were fun to substitute other materials for variable results. Delightful to read and very inspiring...each lesson is a great, finished project, but can be built upon with the techniques to create more personal projects, and also those with more complexity. Based on a multi-year, thousands upon thousands of artists compilation of the best of the best, it is not a companion for the LifeBook class hosted every year by the author, but is a stand-alone work utilizing the theme. If one enjoys this, they might really like the classes. I am still working my way through the book, having a great time and enjoying the use of bright color and the ease of drawing faces! I own many art books but find this one is the one I reach for when I cannot think what to do next wither on block or in my art journal....I grab it and there is always something inspiring to get me working again. High marks for beautiful illustration, lovely size, excellent design and writing and uplifting, inspiring messages. Kudos!

I am new to Lifebook and simply adore Tam’s gift as an artist and instructor. This book is rich with colorful and gorgeous art projects that inspires you to grab a crayon, marker, paintbrush and soak your paper and spirit into a wash of color. It gives you permission to make art no matter your perceived skill level. She and her guest artists give you step by step instructions on how to create your own beautiful mixed media art with no condemnation allowed. You are free to play! I would’ve given this 5 stars, but I am mildly put off with some of the new agey type rhetoric,BUT this is a simply gorgeous and inspiring art book. It would make for a fantastic table book if it came in hardcover, which I would totally buy!

Wow! I had been lusting after this upcoming book for months! I have been a big fan of 'Willowing' for many years. I have followed her online presence, enjoying her amazing whimsical art style and how she combines her art with a whole-mind-body approach that I really appreciate. When I found out she was coming out with a book I just knew I would be buying it and using it for inspiration! As soon as it arrived at home, I oohed and ahhed over it and even showed my completely un-artistic husband who thought the colors and style of art was awesome, too! Beyond all of the great detailed photographs, Tamara has many project tutorials for the reader to follow along with and take inspiration from. She also has some ideas and input from other fellow artists inside the book which is awesome (I love to see creative women supporting each other!) I am so inspired to begin my new Life Book for 2018! If you are a fan of Suzi Blu, SARK, or Jane Davenport, you will absolutely adore this book! It's too pretty for the bookshelf!

I have taken Tam’s online Life Book courses 4 times and when I found out she had a soon-to-be released book in the works, I pre-ordered it within minutes. Tam is not only a gifted teacher, she is a beautiful person with a gentle and loving soul. Her lessons are so skillfully presented that even the most neophyte artist can produce whimsical, life-affirming paintings that open new paths to self-awareness and creativity. This book is a beautiful collection of her lessons and those of other wonderful mixed media artists, each including step-by-step photos and written instructions. A treat for the eyes and the mind.

This book is absolutely beautiful and special... and it is written with so much love and compassion! I got it yesterday and just by reading the first few pages and browsing the beautiful pictures I fell in love with it. I am not an artist, I can only draw a figure stick with a smiley face and maybe some curly hair, but I now have to tools (yes, it has a list of what you need, too) and directions to get inspired and just try it. Can't wait to get started on the first project. It has a project with a butterfly and another with an owl -- two of my favorites! My goal is to read the book, learn, do the hard inner work, get inspired, explore, play with mixed media, and then sign up for Life Book 2019. I am so glad that I purchased this book. Thanks, Tamara, for sharing your inner beauty with the world and for helping others find it in themselves!!

O livro é sensacional, como esperado. Além de ensinar passo a passo múltiplas técnicas, também te incentiva a começar a traçar seu caminho como artista. Sem contar que possui um design lindo e muitas ilustrações. Ainda sou amadora, então não posso dizer se é bom para todos os artistas, mas recomendo para todos que já têm alguma técnica ou que estão começando agora!

Ideal book to follow along with, creativity flows when you allow the process.

todo perfecto

The work of this artist is amazing, and how she laid out this exquisite book is delicious! I read and drooled over each page! She shows how she starts a drawing and adds each part of the drawing, finishing with mixed media. The way these drawings are portrayed in this beautiful book makes it look easy for someone wanting to learn. I can't wait to try!

Je suis très heureuse de mon achat. Déjà parce que j'aime beaucoup les techniques de Tamara Laporte qui dévoilent ses astuces dans ce livre et aussi parce que d'autres artistes sont venus apporter leur contribution. 18 projets variés avec des pas à pas simples. Le livre est en anglais courant, et pour ceux qui ne sont pas à l'aise avec la langue de Shakespeare les photos sont assez explicites pour que l'on puisse suivre le processus sans avoir recours aux écrits. Un livre de mixed-média que je conseille.