Author Boo Paterson's book art aims to boost mental health

“She told me to take a week off and do nothing but read books,” she explains.

“I loved that idea of taking a holiday from life to be creative with books.

“By immersing myself in books, arts and crafts, I found a way to calm my mind, lower anxiety and make space for my own needs, and so Book Holiday was born.”

Book roses.

Book Holiday is Boo’s 15-day e-course, using books as springboards for craft, illustration and word-play as a form of ‘creative care’.

If the idea of chopping up books, however, makes you throw your hands up in horror, do not fear.

Boo, who divides her time between Scotland and New York, explains: “I get the books from charity shops or skips, or in the case of New York, on the street.

“I never cut up a book that can be saved or has any intrinsic value.

“One of my neighbours found out I was a book sculptor and gave me a whole load of damp Victorian numbers from her garage.”

Tools of the trade.

She adds: “Mass-market books are fine, or damaged books.

“I always google the title first to make sure they’re not rare - think of all those Victorian snooze-fests, often with ‘problematic’ content, in charity shops that no-one buys (except me).

“They can be turned into something beautiful.”

Boo is also an instructor at New York’s Centre for Book Arts, teaching book sculpture.

“The students are adults, often teachers, and some of them are ridiculously good,” she smiles. “I’m like, I’ll get my coat….”

A former Evening Times journalist, illustrator and book sculptor, Paterson has exhibited at the prestigious RSA and been shortlisted in the World Illustration Awards twice. She is the author of Papercut This Book, an exquisite collection of patterns and techniques which introduce readers to the magical world of papercutting

Her second craft title - First Art Kit - will be released by Simon & Schuster in June.

“Creativity can be a useful tool to help you thrive whenever you feel stressed,” she explains.

Book houses by Boo Paterson.

“In First Art Kit, I’ve blended thoughtful discussion of common psychological problems - from coping with anxiety to beating bullying - with uplifting, therapeutic crafts.

There are step-by-step instructions and templates so adult crafters of all abilities can practice self-care and boost their creativity. “

Boosting creativity can be a powerful way to improve mental health - psychologists often speak of the ‘flow’ effect of losing yourself in an enjoyable, creative task, reducing stress and anxiety.

Boo’s love of crafts stretches back to her childhood.

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“I’ve been making stuff out of books as long as I’ve been making stuff out of paper - since I was about four,” she says.

“My mum had a ‘play box’ - which we would now call ‘the recycling’ - and it had Fairy bottles, toilet roll inserts, paper, bits of my dad’s manuscripts, and broken books….”

Boo’s father was also an author. Tony Paterson wrote Churchill, A Seat for Life, about the former British Prime Minister’s time as Liberal MP for Dundee.

“I remember Christopher Reeve came to a signing in Glasgow and dad didn’t know who he was, but I did,” she laughs.

Throughout the Book Holiday course, there are also book-related articles, reading lists, advice and tips from experts, spoken-word, dressing-up… and even food and drink.

“Book Holiday, like the best kind of break, allows you to unwind and de-stress, but also helps you try something new, and inspires you,” Boo adds.

“Hopefully, it will also make you smile.

Find out more about Book Holiday at boopaterson.com