Naturally, this project is dedicated to Alexandra's continuing journey as an artist and as the United Nation's Ambassador for Peace; both are heartfelt missions that have no culmination - only a continuing surge of creativity and goodwill. Like so many of her artistic works, this book captures a moment in Alexandra's life - the preanimation of a dove taking its first beat into the air.
"Marvelous Michael Wollner came up with the beautiful designs for the book cover, jacket and interior pages. The book looks terrific - Michael did a remarkable job. Outstanding Stan Brin helped keep all the writers in line with his expert editing. And the wonderful writers: William Emboden author of “Line Comes of Age,” Peter Frank author of “Language of Color,” Lynne Lawner author of “Out Through Sculpture,” and Ray Wyman Jr., who interviewed Alexandra and co-authored her chapter “Releasing the Dove,” also served as co-publisher, senior editor, and chief researcher for this project."
Ben Valenti
ImaginArt Publishing,
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
COVER DESIGN AND LAYOUT
At the age of two, she was working with pen and ink and by five was working with watercolors. Upon her seventh birthday, oil and acrylics were her tools. She had her first solo exhibition at the age of eight at the public library in Whittier, Los Angeles County. She has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show and has appeared with numerous celebrities, including Bill Clinton. Her talent led to her being known as the "Petite Picasso" as her work, to some, resembles that of the master; she has been known as a child prodigy until late in her teens.
Click here or on the image above to see the animated "page-flip version" of the Hands & Dove Book. Just a few selected pages of the over 150 pages are included here.
To flip the pages, just either click on the lower right hand corner of the right page, or click-and-hold-down and drag the page from right to left. To go back, just click on the lower left hand corner of the left page when opened.
The challenge was not only to lay out the pages with pictures, it was to come up with a design concept that would fit the subject and the design restrictions for cover and insides. An un-even column design became the solution for the inside pages, and a combination of the dove and Alexandra's art for the cover evolved after some strategic and conceptual brainstorming. With each page being designed as if it was it's own design element, the result was creative, yet elegant.
The project included:
Concept design, cover design, layout, typography, art production and more.
