Altered Book Art Blog
Howling Wolf Book
Although not a particularly complicated book it was a little
more labor intensive. There is an MDF backing behind the
picture and a wood surround which makes the book somewhat weighty. The blue light was
installed under the wood frame at the top where the moon is positioned on the picture. A front
base was made to blend in with the photo which the books sits on. The little rock that the wolf
stands on was carved, plastered and painted with a little moss added. This is one of the books
I added a micro audio player with atmospheric music and wolf sounds. It sits at the back of the
book.
Wild West Ghost Town Book
Again, not too complicated, just a little fiddly. This one also has a wooden
frame and a front base. I wanted it to look as though the lady had just stepped out of the cafe and
out onto the dusty road. The wanted sign is handmade as is the tumbleweed. It was also quite
fortuitous that the gunslinger looks very similar to the man in the Wanted poster that he is standing
beneath. I could not resist adding the theme “The Good the Bad and the Ugly’ to a micro audio player.
1950’s Sci-fi Book
Made to look a little like an old tv set with a collage of 50’s film posters
this book has a recess which is difficult to spot in the photo where the
alien and his flying saucer sit. There is a full length rabbit ears antenna
on top of the book . I did want to add some 50’s style tv set legs to this
but thought they would be impractical....I did add them and they were
extremely impractical . No longer able to rest on a book stand I had to
insert a bracket inside the spine. An “Invaders from Mars” movie trailer
was added to a micro audio player for this book.
I would like to say “no books were harmed” during the making
of my book art.....but I think perhaps I will say instead that the
books metamorphosed into something else...a visual
representation of a story , a poem , song or just an idea .
Some books are very basic whilst others are more complex
with objects set into books, lighting added or books that have
become little dioramas. I enjoy making each book as it is a
challenge to see what can be done. However they are quite
limiting which can be frustrating for a miniaturist and I’ve
“lost” a few books trying to cut, bend and shape them into
things they do not want to be. Below are a few survivors of
the more involved books I have made.
Salvador Dali The Persistance
of Memory
This book needed hinges glued at a certain angle so that the clock
lined up...more or less...with the melting clock over the tree in the
painting. I also needed a very large book to get the scale correct so
the clock wouldn’t obscure the rest of the painting. A very difficult
undertaking! Needless to say, this book is seriously heavy! But at
least it stands without any assistance.
Dali’s painting is printed on canvas and a few wood trims stained
in cedar have been added to form a loose kind of frame. The clock
incidently is a real working clock. Why make something so
impractical you ask? Well.....why not?
Have a unique book created from your
favourite photo or special area of interest.
Immortalise your important occasions with
a unique piece of book art. Perfect for
weddings, births and special occasions.
Books can also be personalised with
your choice of additional audio. Have a look
at my gallery or take a video tour of my work.
The Artful Dollhouse
