Making Connections

Making Connections
by Susan Lenart Kazmer
ISBN: 978-0979840708
Reviewed by Michael Sellick
 

Wild, Vivid and Contagious is how I would describe author Susan Lenart Kazmer. I have met Susan and her personality will blow you right out of the water. Extreme enthusiasm and passion when it comes to her artwork. You can't help but feel carried away and want to be part of creation process she shares.
 

Her pieces are breathtaking because there are so many elements inside one piece that you can't help but stare in wonder on how she came up with the concepts. If you were to ever look into playing with Mixed Media, this is a MUST HAVE book.
 

In person, you wouldn't think Susan messes around with blow torches or even any tools for that matter. She is a complete surprise from head to toe and has a creative mind that I would love to own myself. Susan's artwork has been displayed in the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. and the Art Institute in New York. 
 

Her work tells a story, descriptions are so in depth that you can't help wonder how she was able to think on those levels. I have to say, there are so many great concepts within this book for joining materials, connections and excellent tips for creation that this book really is a great starting point. She uses ICE Resin herself to create pieces to really set things off.
 

She shows you how to mold your own pieces for your customization effects. If I were to pick a piece in this book that spoke to me the loudest, I would definitely say The Energy Talisman is my favorite. Again a recycled concept and the re-purposing of the pencils used within was ingenious. She captured time and the energy used within this one piece alone. For that alone, I admire what she has done and wouldn't hesitate to buy any of her pieces just to say I owned something unique and original. Aside from this outstanding book, Susan hosts workshops from time to time that allows you to get hands on instruction with her personally. 
 

If this kind of art is for you, you must see the Forging A Wired Vine pattern.