The core of this class is repurposing or upcycling a beautiful old book (we’ll thank it for its past life) and lovingly give it a new life with fresh paper and your art. The heart of the course will be filling the pages with your art and things that can help you move along in your creative journey. We’ll explore themes such as randomness, colour, patterns, and making stencils.

A personal book like this can be a vessel for your ideas, your “art” thought experiments, musings, and a portal to your creativity. I can guarantee that once you make your own book of awesomeness, you’ll never stop making ‘em. Five classes, five weeks to start or continue a creative journey. Beat the blahs, let’s art up some pages!

Skills for Class

Likes to create, can easily laugh, willing to entertain new ideas, wants to play, gives a nod to imperfection and can cut with scissors.

Supply List

1. One used/old hard-covered book to upcycle*

2. Paper for book**

*Old book to upcycle

Use the Goldilocks Theory, the theory of “just right” to guide your choice for a hardcovered book to upcycle in this class. Find a good size so you’ll have lots of room to play on the pages. But no larger than 9’ X 12” or the paper (mentioned below) won’t fit. The spine width should be about ½ inch (ranging from 5/8” to ¾”. Not too big and not too small; not too thick and not too thin…right in the Goldilocks Zone. Have fun looking in thrift shops and second-hand book stores. Come to class with one or more books intact to choose from.

** Paper for book

Note: The instructor has sourced a good paper pad of large sheets available at Iron Oxide, Nanaimo. Tell them you’re taking my class and receive a 10% discount at check out. Paper pad is labelled Fierro White Vellum Drawing Pad, sketch paper with a fine-tooth surface for dry medium, 18 X 24”, 40 sheets. (~$12.00)

Other Supplies

3. Glue stick (Permanent) UHU is the best.

4. Washable glue stick (can be repositioned) Sometimes the cheap ones at a Dollar Store will do.

5. Acrylic Gel Medium matte(gel in tube, not liquid) Inexpensive at Walmart sells Royal & Langnickel Essentials 250 ml OR at Winners/HomeSense sells Mont Matre brand.

6. Scissors

7. Awl (paper piercing tool) optional, we’ll share

8. X-acto knife and self-healing cutting board

9. Ruler with ¼” and/or 1/8” gradients running parallel to length (like a quilter’s ruler) optional

10. Pencil case with: favourite pen, pencil, eraser, etc.

11. Painter’s masking tape (green or blue, low tac)

12. Watercolour brush, a small round, size 10 or 12

13. F&W Acrylic ink – your favourite colour

14. Some acrylic paints (your choice) and brushes

15. Anything else that will make it comfortable for you in an art class, like an apron, baby wipes, snacks…

Bring class supply items listed as # 1 to 10 to the first class. Instructor will give a weekly notice of materials required for the next class and will provide some supplies (not mentioned) as needed. Please arrive to the first class with your own hand-made name tag. (Prizes are at stake.)

About the Instructor

Joanne Barwise is a self-confessed maker and creative soul always pondering the ways and methods of creativity and seeks to be inspired by others. Art-throbs include collage, mixed media and fiber arts. Creds: Former Educator and graduate of Visual Arts from U of A. She has previously taught classes for the Gallery and is now back with this new one.