True Colors

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 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.

I distinctly remember feeling that these artists were in a league of their own. Do I sound too much like a groupie if I were to admit that somehow their names alone brought a sense of awe to me when I first saw this book? Was I alone in that thought? Little did I know at that time that many of the participating artists would end up becoming friends of mine.

One memory of True Colors that stands out for me occurred quite a number of years ago in a workshop I took with Lynne Perrella, the organizer of the project. At a break in the session, she reached into a bag and took out her White journal. I swear if she had looked the other way for just one second, I would have grabbed the journal and run! As is usually the case, seeing it in person far exceeded the experience of seeing it in print. And as I looked through her creation, I realized that as full as True Colors was, there were so many more pages that had not yet been shared. And I have thought ever since that a second book with views of the additional pages is a must for publication!

Many people obviously share my love of True Colors. In the artist survey as part of The Pulse, more participants chose True Colors than any other single book. It was a favorite of Patti Sandham, Deborah Bohm, Leslie Rosenberg, Inge Bekaert, Paula Bogdan, and Maj Hoenborg.

Join me in celebrating this sensational publication. Beginning on Sunday May 9 and running everyday through Sunday May 16, The Book Guild on The Altered Page will be hosting a True Colors event. Nearly all of the original True Color artists will be sharing their personal thoughts about the project, the publication, and the experience of collaborating with the group. In organizing the stories they have shared, I can easily see why this project was so special and unique. 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! So mark your calendars, spread the word, and stop by beginning this Sunday to hear and share their stories.