Create Your Life Book: Mixed-Media Art Projects for Expanding Creativity and Encouraging Personal Growth

I am obsessed with all things Tamara Laporte. I adore all her online videos, her artistry/style, and have the Ever After book. This one is my favorite yet, a must have!! The Quirky Bird is one of my favs of hers and was excited it was in this book.

Lots of supplies needed and if you buy what's suggested can be costly.

The media could not be loaded.  I don’t usually tend to leave reviews, but this book deserves to be reviewed. This much anticipated and long long awaited book is finally in my paint covered hands!!!! I bought this on pre-order months ago when Tam announced the release of her book and have anxiously been waiting for it’s release. I finally got it in the mail yesterday and I have read it cover to cover twice.I have been taking LifeBook with Tam since 2012 when she first started her LifeBook workshop. If you have been on the fence about taking an online workshop or class, I highly highly recommend taking the LifeBook course for any artist whether you are brand new to mixed media or have been doing mixed media for a while. But this review is about the book now isn’t it?!?This book is awesome from cover to cover with lots of beautiful color, beautiful artwork and easy to follow tutorials of some of Tam’s best works, along with projects from some other wonderful mixed media artists.... Mystele Kirkeeng, Ivy Newport, Effy Wild, Andrea Gomall, Alena Hennessy, and Roxanne Coble. (All of these artists have participated in the LifeBook course over the years) Tam takes you on a wonderful journey of self-love, self-discovery, self-acceptance, and healing through meditation, art and creativity. I love that she touches on supplies she loves use and what supplies will be used throughout the book, but doesn’t overwhelm you or whack you over the head with them.There are lots of step by step photos in the tutorials which will be especially helpful for those who are new to mixed media. For those who have taken any of Tam’s classes will have seen many of the projects she does throughout the book. That said, even if you have taken Tam’s classes, this book is definitely a must have for your art arsenal!!This book will not disappoint!!!! I would definitely recommend it, and I’m even going to buy this book for a few of my mixed media friends!!!

Perfect for teen artistGreat projects for doing with friends or alone

I haven't done any of the pages yet, as I just got this book yesterday. I initially purchased it for myself, but after reading through it, all the chapters in it, my wife and I teach our kids (10,12,13,17) on a regular basis, we've decided to make this book a family project. We will sit down and talk about each subject and do the project and make a huge family binder. I can't wait to get started.

I want to say that this has got to be the best art journaling book that I have ever seen. Each of the different projects have been wonderful. I have done several so far and I have been delighted. Each one comes with a focus but it isn't a lot of writing. It more mindfulness while doing the art project. What I think I have liked most is the experimentation that it encourages. I had most everything the first several exercises called for and what I didn't have I was easily able to get on Amazon. The book is very well written. It is easy to read. It doesn't go into a lot of psychology fix you stuff, just think about your goals, what are you grateful for, easy stuff. There are plenty of pictures with a lot of different options for variations. I have loved all of my products from each project.

Beautifully illustrated, well-written instructions and multiples of different type of projects utilizing a reasonable variety of supplies. One need not own everything to be able to work these, and some were fun to substitute other materials for variable results. Delightful to read and very inspiring...each lesson is a great, finished project, but can be built upon with the techniques to create more personal projects, and also those with more complexity. Based on a multi-year, thousands upon thousands of artists compilation of the best of the best, it is not a companion for the LifeBook class hosted every year by the author, but is a stand-alone work utilizing the theme. If one enjoys this, they might really like the classes. I am still working my way through the book, having a great time and enjoying the use of bright color and the ease of drawing faces! I own many art books but find this one is the one I reach for when I cannot think what to do next wither on block or in my art journal....I grab it and there is always something inspiring to get me working again. High marks for beautiful illustration, lovely size, excellent design and writing and uplifting, inspiring messages. Kudos!

I used for my rocks and live learning new concepts

I've now done two lessons from this book (see photos added) and it has proven to be so much more than a creative practice alone. Wonderful personal development and mindfulness practice really enrich the experience of using this book as a creative practice. I found myself wanting to just keep going and going. But I'm trying to pace myself and savour the process.Well laid out and good instructions. It does help if you know Tamara's method but it's not essential as the book has step-by-step pictures and text to guide you along.As for the "spiritual" side I didn't find this to be dominant, it was more a take it or leave it personal development to enrich the process and if it's not for you, you can still do the creative lesson and bypass that, something Tamara herself regularly states. It's about making it your own, finding your inner voice and expressing it creatively. You really can pick 'n' mix what works for you, that is the point. It's your creative practice no one else's. Enjoy it!

The media could not be loaded.  This book written by Tamara Laporte is the perfect foil to her online 'Create your Life Book' art course. It has detailed photographs and lovely different mixed media projects to do. This book also helps you work through emotional issues with guided meditation ideas. Tamara is a great believer in using art as a method to work through negativity, self-exploration, develop as an artist and find your own style as well as encouraging personal growth. Just a word of warning, if you suffer from depression like I do it might be a good idea to talk to your GP about using this course as a therapeutic method, because it might produce some unwanted issues as you work through it. If you don't want to follow the self growth parts that's fine you can still work through the beautiful lessons.I purchased this beautiful book to accompany the online course. In the book there are 18 guided lessons 12 of which are by Tamara. Tamara's lessons really embody her wonderfully quirky style of painting and although you follow the lessons closely you are encouraged to find your 'Bliss' when working on each n one. The other 6 lessons are by 6 guest teachers all bringing different styles for you to try, all of whom excell in their own field. I love it and have been working through my first online course Life Book 2021.

This book has been so worth waiting for, if you have not heard of Tamara Laporte you are in for a beautiful treat. Her work enriches your soul and allows anyone with no, some or lots of arty experience to create and learn. As well as being an art book it also teaches simple self healing and self discovery techniques that can either be used or not, if you do not it does not detract from the projects. This book is suitable for anyone of any age and isn’t aimed at using expensive materials. Tam describes in detail how she creates her pictures and effects and then allows you to do your own thing. There are projects in this book that can be done with children or friends or just on your own for some much needed creative time. The book is clearly written and has gorgeous illustrations, it would make a fantastic gift for anyone whether they already follow Tam or have never heard of her. You will be hooked on making art after holding this book and if you are like me you will be amazed at what you can actually produce when you think you have no skills. This is a book full of kindness and compassion and is the best book I’ve owned in years 😊

Really nice, useful book. I didn't read the description properly so I was kind of surprised at the nature of the projects. They are all about personal development which is fine I just wasn't expecting that. I am impressed with the art techniques demonstrated and I plan to work through them as they are and then develop the skills I learn with my own work. It might not be for advanced amateurs but it's a good fit for me. The only criticism I have is that the materials suggested would cost literally hundreds of pounds to buy and I think some of them are quite specialised ie not just a packet of felt pens and an A4 pad of paper that you can substitute from Tesco.

I was looking for a book that has some guided projects and this book has exactly that! Beautiful projects that keep you in the moment and help you unleash your creativity. There is a step by step process and a very gratifying feeling after a project is completed. I definitely recommend this book to all those interested to be present in the ‘now’.