31 of 31 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
How to "Be" Guide for Artists, Nov 12 2008
By C. Campbell "earthgirlie" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: How to Be an Explorer of the World: Portable Life Museum (Paperback)
Smith's newest book is the most recent installment in her passionate, ongoing process to distill life and the art process (indistinguishable to most artists) down to it's bare matter. If you can embrace playfulness, open courageously to the idea of art as life, are willing to turn off the television and look around you, love to challenge yourself to learn to BE and create from essence as opposed to trend or fancy, Explorer is for you.
As an author, she seems to live her life exactly the way she writes (as one can easily pick up when visiting her blog The Wish Jar Journal).
As an artist, she is apparently very well read on the subjects of art and life and willing to push beyond art school rules to find her own voice among so many artsy voices that seem to blend together these days. For an insightful, modern perspective on gathering the fodder to create amazing experiences, I was not disappointed with this book.
I completely disagree with other reviews which state that this book is not for deep thinkers. I find her simple, freshened concepts to be timely and revolutionary, just what artists have been missing from our creative processes.
I also recommend Wreck This Journal and Guerilla Art, also by Keri Smith.
30 of 34 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not My Favorite . . ., Jan 11 2009
By Tracee Jones "Busy Mom & 'Altered Art' Artist" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: How to Be an Explorer of the World: Portable Life Museum (Paperback)
Let me preface this, by saying I love Keri Smith. I do. However, to me, this book fell short on so many levels. There is a lot of space to the book with few words to really sink your teeth into. If you are like me and LOVED her "Wreck This Journal", I think you will be a little disappointed, because I was expecting the same type of book with a new twist, maybe?? This isn't that book. Now, I don't want to ruin it for other fans of Keri Smith. Maybe you WILL enjoy this book, but if you haven't tried "Wreck This Journal", I would definitely recommend that book over this one.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very good ideas, Nov 29 2008
By L. Velarde - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: How to Be an Explorer of the World: Portable Life Museum (Paperback)
this book is cleverly written and has some wonderful ideas for exploring your world. most all of them are ideas I have never seen before and want to try in my sketchbook. there are examples too. I highly recommend this book for the artist, journaler or someone that just wants to see their world with FRESH eyes!