Art Escapes [Spiral-bound]

However, when I got the package, I was upset with the hassle of returning it. I kept it for a while and then FINALLY got the club mailing. I decided to take a chance and keep it. Boy what a TREAT!

This spiral bound book is a delight not only to read, but to turn the pages. I am tired of the bindings flipping closed on books. This one stays open no problem!

The layout is delightful. Illustrations are profuse and rustic. This book is in no way intimidating like some art books tend to be. I actually feel like I can relax while reading it with nothing to live up to and no frustration with how hard I am going to have to work to achieve desired results.

Dory writes with a warm friendly demeanor and the book is loaded with creative exercises that are easy to do, and RELAXING. As an artist, I have almost no time to paint with little ones around. Art Escapes offers a perfect compromise. Keeps me painting and going in small spatters, instead of monumental undertakings.

Think of a quiet calm day, warm cup of tea, beautiful sunshine, neither too hot or cold weather, curled up in a chair admiring life itself, and you pretty much have this book captured in essence. A delight to own and USE. For any level artist. We all need vacations and escapes!

At the end of my weekend with Dory, every student had a journal filled with colorful memories and reflections of their unique personalities. Watching the delighted faces of artistic novices like dentists, homemakers, company CEO's and college professors light up as they explored their "surprising" talents was an emotional experience. I think each of us had a little tear in our eyes as we realized we were artists. All we had to do was trust Dory. After that we sailed on with our own explorations. Since then I have spent many happy hours with my journal at home and while traveling around the world. That is the gift that Dory is sharing with her book. Please, take her gift and see how a few minutes of inspired creativity each day can build into colorful records of the moments and emotions of your life.

Dory Kanter is the quintessential teacher. Her approach is friendly and informal, while, at the same time, professional and steeped in expertise. The instructions are SO clear that you don't have to stare at the page for an hour before "getting it"; trust me, I am a retired curriculum writer and I know clear from unclear! Although you could pick up the book and start almost anywhere, there is a logical sequence that really is, as the title says, giving me "artistic confidence." For example, the first chapter has concrete, practical, and, of course, artistic ideas about organizing supplies...already I've saved many minutes of dithering as I pack for a weekend trip during which I want to play with my art.

Being such a new book, I haven't yet done all the exercises, but after reading every word and doing some of the activities, it's the first book like this that I know I really will do, and not just say I'll do. It certainly won't be a shelf-sitter, and don't we all have tons of those?! One really terrific exercise is called Creative Doodling...I even got my husband to do this one with me, and he's an accountant who says he'll "never do art"! I just quietly slipped it in with our morning coffee/read the paper/what's-on-your-day conversation and he loved it...didn't even know he was doing art...what a sweet way to start the day! P.S. he said he might give the book to his sister for Christmas! Thank you, Art Escapes, for bringing cheer, inspiration, and the promise of so much creative fun in the coming year.