Unfurling, A Mixed-Media Workshop with Misty Mawn: Inspiration and Techniques for Self-Expression through Art

I had pre-ordered Misty's book quite some time ago and was so excited to have it arrive last weekend, earlier than I expected. I poured through the pages over and over again! Her photos are beautiful and it is like she takes you right there in her studio to create with her. I have also had the privilege to learn from Misty through her online class and in person. She is an amazingly talented artist; beautiful inside and out. Having this book will be great, it will be like taking a class with Misty whenever I want to in the privacy of my home. I keep picking it up every chance I get and see something new I didn't see before!She shares and guides you through drawing, painting, textures, journaling, making your own book and so much more. Her photos are amazing. Her knowledge about art and living the journey will astound you. It is hard for me to put into exact words how much I love this book. There is so much inspiration and motivation inside. Thank you Misty for showing all of us that there is an artistic way of living each day.Donna Wynn

I admit I bought this book because the author is Misty Mawn. I have long admired her work and have taken her workshops before so I knew I would like any book she authored. What I was surprized to find is that it was even more beautiful than I expected and more instructional than I thought. If you are just starting out in the mixed media genre I think it would be very helpful as the media and supplies that are now available are clearly explained and pictured. And if you are older and have had previous experiance or training like myself (62 and won't bore you with my Fine arts training and background)you also will be inspired with enough technique suggestions and creative prompts to really dust off your tried and true supplies,buy some new ones and get working, or "unfurling" as Misty calls it. If you do nothing more than admire the beautiful pictures and photos throughout the pages and simply dream of expressing yourself you will have spent your money wisely. Buy this book. You won't be disappointed.

You will no longer have to fear the blank page... Misty in her exceptional teaching style gets you moving. Techniques that are simple to follow, great visual tools to help you see the outcomes you are bound to achieve. The book walks you through her way of working... as though you sat beside her in her studio... or were among classmates at a retreat. Once you have explored the various tools she shares with you... the book moves onto projects to play with all you have learned... there are expressions here that are new to me... and I've had the honor of attending her classes in person and online. For those of you who have also been "there" this book is a wonderful text for lessons learned and new and inspiring ways to continue moving forward with lessons from Misty.I have a hard time purchasing a book I haven't held in my hands... so I want to say this about the book. I love the size, not as tall as some and feels just right. The paper has a fantastic texture and the print style and color stays very true to Misty's style.Bravo Misty! This is a keeper! Now go buy one or three!

Every time I open UNFURLING, I feel as if Misty is visiting my art bench. And, while it isn'tprecisely written this way in her book, the first thing she "told" me to do was take my clockout of my art studio. Surprisingly, I did.The tone of her narrative is conversational, easy, and inviting. She is encouraging,positive and promotes exploration and discovery while providing many different kindsof starting points.Misty has written, "Making art is not about what you know as much as about putting in the time..."and her book has been part of a remarkable invitation back to taking time to explore. Explore,rather than produce. As an industry professional, it's too easy to become involved in thinkingabout the "end product" instead of savoring the journey of discovery. Misty Mawn has managed toinspire me to do few others ever have...put away my hour glass, my minute minder, my electronic timerand my clock and just create until I am done.And if I hadn't already recently come to the fascinating addiction to Japanese masking tape...it wouldhave begun with this book. Yum.

My students love the ideas that I have used in this book. They love creating art with the birds in it and I use this book to encourage using mixed medias and subjects in one drawing or painting. So much fun!

WOW. After taking Misty's online class I knew I wanted MORE, MORE, MORE!! This wonderful book gives me that! As I expected, it's beautiful, soulful, and well done in all ways! It's so amazing to have Misty at my finger tips and in my studio by my side at all times! Unfurling answers all those little questions that you aren't sure of about supplies, or that you've forgotten. Misty's techniques are so easy to understand and blend into your own work. This is truly one of the most beautiful and inspiring art book I've seen or owned. It goes to the very top of my list. I'm sure I'll wear out these lovely pages as I intend to spend a huge amount of time working from this book. Thank you so much Misty, your generosity and talent are overwhelming!! My next dream is to take a class in person!Phyllis Peterson

I have been a fan of Misty Mawn's work for years, and was thrilled to hear she was authoring a book. Unfurling is the perfect title, because indeed she encourages the reader with every turn of the page to just let go and get creative. Not only does she share her artistic knowledge, but she shares poignant pieces of herself within her art work while revealing her creative processes. She encourages those who are tentative about creating art to just dive into the blank page and not be afraid of the results. She makes it clear that perfection is not the goal; rather, it is the joy of creating (and the self-discovery) that means the most. The photos of her artwork offer so much inspiration...her work is beautiful, personal, and rich with colors and meaning. I am honored to have added this book to my art library, and so glad I purchased it!

Misty Mawn has a very poetic way to present her work. I have appreciated every moment of the reading of that book and it has inspired me to work in a different way.

quite like this book, bit twee in places for my sensibilities but ideas are ideas ! Worth a gander if you can pick it up cheap!

In diesem Buch gibt es wunderbare und gut beschriebene Techniken der Malerei aber auch für Papier Arbeiten und für Tonarbeiten. Gutes Buch für alle die gerne Experimentieren.

Je suis assez nouvelle dans le mixed media, et je me forme et m'informe au gré de mes rencontres "livresques" sur Amazon, dans les livres en anglais puisqu'ils sont si bien faits ( d'ailleurs pourquoi n'y en a t il pas plus en Français?!!! ). Je vais sur Amazon.com, où il y a souvent plus de book reviews ( commentaires) et parfois la possibilité de feuilleter alors que ce n'est pas forcément le cas sur Amazon.fr. Bref, grâce à cela, j'ai découvert tout un tas de livres, mais celui -ci fait partie de mes préférés dans le mixed média. Pourquoi? Parce que déjà, quand on voit le travail de Misty mawn, difficile de ne pas tomber amoureuse de ce qu'elle fait, c'est sensible, poignant, original et tout en finesse. Je vous invite à taper son nom sur google images si vous ne la connaissez pas. Elle partage donc ici plusieurs techniques qui font son succés, quelques pas à pas ( pas assez illustrés à mon goût mais peut être est ce fait exprés?), beaucoup de gentillesse et de douceur. Au menu: -apprendre à dessiner un visage, puis à le colorer (peinture acrylique), monter son fond (background painting), couche par couche ( collages, peinture, encres,gratter ou poncer) puis peindre le premier plan ( personnages ou autres), puis comment peindre des natures mortes (bon, version, mixed media, hein), collages, transferts, puis tout une partie "artisanat" : poterie, origami, fabriquer ses propres tampons, scupture, poupées en papier... , une partie Art journal et enfin une partie "poesie".Un petit bémol malgré ma totale adhésion avec le boulot de Misty: manque de photos pour les pas à pas, et le mélange des genres fait que l'on survole un peu trop (à mon goût) certaines parties que je me délectais à l'avance d'apprendre à faire, comme les backgrounds de Misty ( un peu trop survolé quand on connait leur complexité ) ou les couleurs utilisées dans les exemples illustrés (mais comment obtient elle cette couleur rouille et ce bleu-vert cuivré???!!!).Cependant, je le conseille tout de même, c'est un plaisir pour les yeux et une trés belle source d'inspiration avec des bases pour se lancer et expérimenter plus avant tout ce qui n'est pas explicité car peut être est-ce moi qui ne suis pas assez expérimentatrice? Peut être que j'attends trop de détails qui nuiraient à mon inspiration personnelle?

I judged this book by its cover, which seemed somehow promising. However, sorry to say, the contents leaves me cold, and I looked in vain for an inspiring, new technique. Moreover, the style of most of the projects isn't up my alley at all, which of course is a matter of personal taste.I am still giving a three-star evaluation, because the book contains an assortment of mixed-media techniques that may be unknown to other buyers.