This is the second book in the Art & Inspirations series. This series is very aptly named.

A fountain of inspiration bound by hundreds of color photos! The colored watercolor sketches inspired me to spice up my own notebook by using colored pencils. Now, it’s fun for me to look through my own chicken scratched notes and drawings.

This book is a mini biography of the life and art of Judith Baker Montano. You are introduced to her family, both real and acquired, and given a deep insight into the manner and motivation of her work. It’s not all prose and pretty pictures though. Among the luxuriant pictures are clear and concise instructions for several of Ms. Montano’s signature techniques.

Colored drawings lead you through embroidery stitches for special effects and also her crazy quilting instructions are explained using both the centerpiece and fan method of machine piecing. After reading Ms. Montano’s instructions and by following her pictures, my piecing problems have disappeared! It’s all in the trimming! No more problems, just endless opportunities.

As she takes you on her travels of learning and teaching throughout the world you feel as if you are now included in part of her extended family. She becomes a personal friend as she discusses the trials and triumphs of her personal life. Her experiences and how they relate themselves to her work are expressed with sincerity and hope.

I have always been inspired by the sheer sumptuousness of Judith Montano’s work. Somehow when I put that much embroidery and that many beads on one of my pieces it just look like too much. I’m hoping that with more practice and this wonderful book by my side, my work will sometime take on the luxurious style that is Judith Baker Montano.