Jamie Fingal: Altered Books and the Joy of Doodling

By Mixed Media Creative Journal

In December 2010, artist Jamie Fingal shared an inspiring and playful creative process in her blog post titled "Doodle Fun". With her trademark curiosity and inventive spirit, Fingal explored the transformation of an ordinary book into a vibrant, layered sketchbook — a mixed-media canvas brimming with color, energy, and imagination.

From Book to Art Object

The process began with repurposing a standard book by gluing several pages together using matte medium. This technique created sturdy surfaces, capable of holding up to watercolor, pen, collage, and stencil work. Fingal’s experimentation didn’t stop there — she also cut into pages, introducing peek-through layers that added a sculptural, interactive element to the altered book.

A Playground for Pattern and Color

Each spread in Fingal’s altered book exploded with doodles, patterns, stenciled motifs, and bursts of color. Her sketchbook became more than a collection of drawings — it became a textured playground where abstract thought and visual rhythm danced freely across the pages.

The use of hand-drawn lines combined with painted washes and paper layering gave the journal a tactile and expressive quality, a signature of Fingal’s creative style that merges boldness with intimacy.

Creativity Without Limits

Fingal’s approach in "Doodle Fun" is a reminder that art-making doesn’t need to be precious — it needs to be free. By altering a discarded book, she transformed it into something deeply personal and full of life, encouraging fellow artists to rethink their materials and embrace spontaneity.

The project captures the essence of Fingal’s artistic philosophy: experiment, express, and most importantly — play.

Explore More

To view Jamie Fingal’s altered book project and read about her creative process, visit:
Jamie Fingal Designs