Quick Art: Art of the Ordinary by Angie Franke and Monique Day-Wilde

If you've looked at the type of abstract and semi-abstract art on sale at decor stores and thought you could do the same or better but just haven't got around to trying, then Quick Art is a book for you. The authors' approach is that all you need is "the most basic sense of colour and a little determination" and that it's possible to use "simple craft techniques to create striking original art" once you know how. Which is, of course, what they set out to show and tell you in Quick Art, which contains an array of ideas and examples, plus concise info on supplies and techniques to use.

There are paintings in Quick Art that I would run screaming from, that would give me nightmares if they were in my bedroom. But there are also paintings that I've sat and studied. And that's the beauty of the book, it's got such a variety of paintings in it that there's sure to be something for everyone. Well, almost everyone. It's certainly not a book for fine art purists, but then the book's subtitle of the book ("art of the ordinary") makes that clear right from the start.

Quick Art is a book for people who have admired the abstract/modern art in decor stores but been put off by the prices or the thought that they could probably do something similar themselves if only they could find the time. It's about paintings that are full of texture, line, and color, not paintings full of symbolism or tributes to the Old Masters.

The approach taken is very much "give it a go and see what happens", to experience the joy of experimenting, and anything goes in terms of the paint you can use. The instructions for each painting are quite concise, but the photo of the final item make it clear what you're aiming for and small detail photos illustrate steps along the way.

Techniques used include painting with a brush and roller, stamping, combing, splattering, adding gold leaf and texture paste. Projects include mirror art, a room divider, sitting room and bedroom paintings, and functional art such as a chalk board and place mats.

Quick Art is a fun book showing how to create abstract or modern art art to decorate your house. If you're snobbish about what should go into the making of art, stay away from it. If you're open to anything abstract related and the 'happy accidents' that experimentation can product, you're likely to enjoy it.