I couldn't let 2013 pass without acknowledging the ten year anniversary of the publication of True Colors, an art book that had an impact on me like no other. Despite the passage of time and a flood of art books since then, True Colors continues to be my all-time favorite. For me, it started it all!
Back in 2010, I connected with the True Color's crew and honored their creativity with a blog project where nearly all of the original contributors shared their thoughts about the TC experience. To celebrate ten years, I have decided to again post their stories and perhaps introduce a few new people to an amazing book. If you are not familiar with this book, trust me when I say take notice. Below you will find an excerpt from my original post and links to the contributors' reminiscences.
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"Although I cannot seem to remember the year that I bought True Colors 
(I am guessing it was in 2004), I do remember the tremendous impact it had on me. In an instant my artistic identity was somehow changed. This book seemed to unlock something inside me and offered in its pages, a world of possibilities that I was eager to explore.
(I am guessing it was in 2004), I do remember the tremendous impact it had on me. In an instant my artistic identity was somehow changed. This book seemed to unlock something inside me and offered in its pages, a world of possibilities that I was eager to explore.
I have often wondered why this book seems to have effected me like no other. 288 pages (!) of mixed media brilliance and creative expression. Tremendously beautiful photography and layouts. A publication date when this type of project was pioneering and completely unique. A quality of creative detail that I had not yet to experience in terms of handmade journals. And a sense through the text that this group of 15 artists shared a creative bond and respect that was quite special. This is one amazing group of artists. And if you have been impacted in any way by True Colors, you can just imagine how it impacted them!"
Their own stories...
13 comments:
this is one of three publications you can find if you search for "Stampington" on AMAZON Germany...
hihi.. I saw it so often there.. - I love to pick over Amazon and take the view into the publications.. ( as I was a bookseller for 20 years - it's a kind of hobby for me) I didn't order this publication yet because of it's old age...
maybe now I do ----
thank you Seth!
Have a good weekend!
I found True Colors through your blog, Seth. I, too, was very impacted and it never makes it too far down on the current stack of books that I reference. I learned that starting with the similar objectives, supplies and format produces infinite variety. It certainly expands the mind and the expectations!
Congratulations on the ten year anniversary of True Colors! Another wonderful accomplishment!
Thanks for remembering, luv!
I cannot even begin to express the impact this publication has had on me. It is to this day, 10 years on, my most favourite art publication I have ever bought. Just last week someone from Japan asked me to reccomend what to buy and True Colours was my immediate suggestion.
Not only did it change everything about how I approached the creative process, I studied every picture at length to discover ideas I would never have considered. I analysed the style of each artists and how their personality shone through no matter which colour they depicted. I found out about colour combinations I never dreamed of, texture effects, building foundations, layers, ways to use embellishments and how to work on or with all manner of surfaces. This book and these wonderful artists opened my eyes to the possibilities, and I KNEW it was possible.
THANKYOU Lynne for being the visionary behind the project. You are amazing xx
Leandra
True Colors is the most wonderful book. I too was affected by its magnitude in my life. My thoughts and creative process grew from perusing this missive, which I still try to absorb to this day whenever I reread it. (which is often)
Thanks Seth for bringing it to the attention of some who perhaps have not read it.
Also thanks Lynn for your inspiring idea!
It is a wonderful book. Thank you for the reminder to pull it out!
Lynn's influence in my own creative life is extensive! True Colors, Alphabetica and Artist Journals and Sketchbooks are well thumbed volumes around here!!!!
Oh, I so agree. If I could only own one art book, that is the one I'd pick. At the time I purchased it (maybe 6 or 7 years ago) I wasn't even familiar with any of the artists, and now I'm happy to say I've taken classes with three of them. And hope to add to that list in the future.
Thanks for the anniversary reminder Seth!
It has been good fortune that you joined Spellbinders blog team, Seth, through you I've met and now follow an amazing group of artists. Thank you. I find it interesting though, that in these publications, the vast majority of contributing artists are women. ....It seems True Colors is out stock most everywhere. I will keep on my list for a future purchase. Thanks again for being a bridge between art cultures; crafters and 'artists'.
LOL! Wish I could, but can not pull out a copy to page through in celebration --- it's "lent out", to whom? Who Knows...LOL --- I am lucky I have ANY of the books I have pieces in, or wrote, at all at this point.
Hike on over to Amazon and you will find tons of them under "used".....many are going for .99!!! I have always had good luck with used volumes on A, finding them to be exactly as the vendors describe.
I bought True Colors when it was published and was fascinated with it. Carrie was the paper person in the family at the time, but that really made me start thinking about joining her. It took several more years to finally arrive in paper art land but that book is still a favorite!
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