5 comments about Painting Houses, Cottages and Towns on Rocks.

1. I was enchanted by the ideas in this helpful and instructive guide to painting gnome houses from rocks you can find in your yard. I showed the book to my crafty ladies group and I had to order 3 more. There are such darling villages and imaginative scenes that are shown in this book,that your imagine just explodes with new ideas of your own. I hightly recommend this book for making something out of nothing!



2. Lots of great ideas of rock to houses. Cute & warm samples.



3. I'm very satisfied with the books i've bought.
   They are very instructive and complete.
   They teach the reader to paint rocks step by step, allowing consisting apprenticeship.



4. This is a well written and very specific guide to painting houses on rocks. It is beautifully illustrated and offers very specific, understandable and do-able instructions. It is not possible to read this book without feeling encouraged and motivated to get going.



5. I love the book. It is filled with ideas that will keep me busy for a long time. We enjoy our yard and garden so making these little houses, cottages, and towns will be fun to add to our stepables garden. So thanks Lin for being so creative and for sharing your ideas with others like me.

2 comments about Pencil Drawing (Artist's Library series #03).

1. Really happy with transaction. Received exactly as described. Would purchase from this vendor again!



2. The last time I had drawn a figure was as a 10 year old boy. That drawing was of Abe Lincoln. Now, at the age of 37, I decided it would be fun to draw with a pencil again. This book was the first one, I bought this year, and am I glad I did. It leads you step by step the process of drawing a lifelike figure, from fixtures, to animals, cars, barns, etc. After completing my first drawing using the book, I was amazed at the result, and so is every one who has looked at it. I completed the second drawing with similar results, again, of a quality we could hang n our home and be proud of. The book tells you what pencil type to use, how to use it, with plenty of examples. If you are after a step by step book, that will give you lifelike results, I highly reccomend this book.

5 comments about Great Book of Fairy Patterns: The Ultimate Design Sourcebook for Artists and Craftspeople.

1. I received this book last week, and have already used the 'praying angel' to do a stitchery as a gift for a child making her first communion. Now my daughters are each demanding one - and I intend to use several designs in a quilt. I am using them as they are presented in the book, but also the author has explained how to change the pose/wings, etc., of a particular fairy if you want to. The fantastic variety of detailed designs in here are simply beautiful, I see many stitcheries being made, straight from the book. Easy to trace due to the size, too - always a bonus. I will probably use them in applique as well, perhaps enlarging some.



2. The book is a fantastic resource of images and ideas for my leather craft. The examples of heart shaped paper boxes lead me to replicate the idea on heart shaped leather boxes.
   
   The book arrived just two days after I ordered it and was in pristine condition. I highly recommend it!



3. If you want a Great book, get anything from Lora S. Irish, you will not be disappointed. Awesome.



4. Great book for anyone who likes to draw or make fairies. Alot of great ideas and patterns.



5. In all fairness, this book is a very good rescource for craft painters who paint on wood, slate, etc. And it is also a very nice rescource for anyone who wants to paint a room/ make stencils to decorate and doesn't know how to draw them freehand. Many of the drawings are not perfect (the sewing fairy has her wing drawn in front of her hair on one side)and I would not rely on the fanciful descriptions about the fairies(to me anyway)they are mostly filler to get the feel for what you are working on. (If you want to learn about real fairy folklore I would suggest getting "Fairies" By Brian Froud or looking for a title on Irish fairy tales.) I had expected a much thinner book at first, but it turned out to be more than that. It is also a good source of inspiration for more accomplished artists wanting some new ideas.

2 comments about The Methodologies Of Art: An Introduction.

1. Excellent introduction to the various approaches to writing about art. She discusses Freudian art criticism, feminist art history, semiotics, biography and autobiography, among other topics, in a clear and cogent style.



2. correction to your listing. Laurie Adams is NOT the editor of Methodologies, she is the author. Delete (editor) from your listing.

5 comments about The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes.

1. This book offers valuable advice as long as it's not taken as gospel. For most 'mistakes' listed by Bickham, it's possible to think of writers who did the opposite that Bickham recommends to their advantage. But in general, avoiding these 'mistakes' will improve your writing.



2. As the editor of two writing newsletters I see a lot of writing books.
   
   This book is by far the best guide I've read for the novice fiction writer. Written by the author of over 75 published novels, who is also a creative writing tutor, the advice in this book is both relevant and comprehensive. What's more it is the most easy to read, 'how to write' books I have ever read. Each chapter, which last no more than four pages, deals with a specific major error committed by novice writers. The errors are clearly marked and Bickham gives easy to follow, practical advice on how to correct them in your current work in progress or how to prevent them in future. It should be at the side of every fiction writer, whether they are writing short stories or novels. It should stay by your side too; this is not a book to read once, but one to refer to constantly, to ensure you are not falling into bad habits.
   
   I strongly recommend this book.
   
   Dawn Copeman
   Editor http://www.newbie-writers.com
   Newsletter Editor http://www.writing-world.com



3. This book has the advantage of being short and sweet; it is aimed at the complete beginner and is a good primer as far as it goes.
   
   However, for the intermediate or more advanced writer, there's not much here other than something of a stroll down memory lane as you recall the old days of Creative Writing 101. While the writer's advice is often good in general, his dogmatic "one-size-fits-all" approach will leave many perfectly good writers feeling constricted. (Some opinions put forth as gospel truth in this book include: "A book can only have one viewpoint character." "Every scene must start with a stimulus/response -- and a character choosing to act does NOT count as a stimulus." "Every scene should end in a 'disaster' that puts your character further into trouble.")
   
   So overall, it's worth reading, particularly for the newbie -- but take everything in it with a big grain of salt. Think of it as a source of "rules you need to know before you break them."



4. When you're writing your first novel, you panic. I know I am. So much to worry about, so many rules and techniques you're probably not even aware of. So many how-to books to read, just to get started! Then you come across this book, and it puts you more at ease. It covers 38 aspects of writing, what-not-to-do's, in a succint and clear manner. It's easy to read, and very helpful. If you need to get deeper into some of those points, you can take it from there.



5. Jack doesn't spend more than three pages on any one point, and he doesn't have to. He gives an example, explains the salient concepts including positive suggestions, and gets out. This book taught me more about writing than any other. I devoured it in two days and my stories reached a new plateau immediately afterwards. If I could give every aspiring writer one book, this would be it.

5 comments about Renoir, My Father (New York Review Books Classics).

1. A decent if disjointed book. You can tell from reading it that Jean had great respect for his father and loved him very much. Unfortunately, there was a large gap between his father's death and the writing of this book, with Jean working from memory and not notes, and it shows. There are times where it's hard to see where Renior stops and Jean starts, and this can make things a bit confusing. If you are a fan of Renior's however,don't pass this book up.



2. A biography written by a child of someone famous often carries more than one burden, similar to the responsibility or encumbrance of the overshadowing parental fame. However, in filmmaker Jean Renoir's lovingly detailed remembrances of his Impressionist painter father, the reader gleans more than a timeline of an artist's rise to prominence. The author shares a richly detailed account of life in a culture that--in most areas of France save for Paris--was still foremostly agrarian. In this burgeoning Industrial world, Renoir tells of the rise of his father's art and the changing cultural behaviors, shifting societal patterns and troubling questions within that framework.
   
   Beginning at Louis-Philippe's "July Monarchy" (1830-1848)-- generally seen as a period during which the haute bourgeoisie was dominant and the 1840's which saw financial crisises and bad harvests with an ensuing economic depression--we are reminded of the general and specific trends vis-à-vis how they affected the Renoir family's world. Curiously descriptive, this was a world of street oil lamps and chamber pots; anesthesia was not yet invented (nor any antiseptics); butchers slaughtered the animals on site in the back of the shop; great debates about the inferior railroad system and the overall safety of locomotives were waged (could a pregnant woman harm her unborn child by moving a such great speeds? Did the smoke and soot emitted hinder crops in nearby fields from growing). Adding to the vivid and graphic storytelling of French life are vignettes of the senior Renoir's dealings with fellow Impressionists and art dealers as well as his painting process behind some of his masterpieces. Family life, the defining touchstone of the artist as a man, is shared in humorous and matter-of-fact style ("My mother brought a great deal to my father: peace of mind, children whom he could paint; and a good excuse not to have to go out in the evening.") This book, which was first published in the mid-1950's, affords the reader a complete picture of the life of a great artist during a time of vicissitude and excitement in all facets of French society.



3. An affectionate remembrance of Renoir by his son, concentrating the years up to the turn of the century.
   
   Renoir considered himself an artisan rather than an artist, disliked anything artificial, from margarine to ready-to-wear clothes, had among his friends artists, and musicians who are household names today. "It is when you have lost your teeth that you can buy the best beefsteak" he would say, and considering that he became more infirm with age, this truism affected him no less than the rest of us.



4. We adopted "Renoir, My Father" as bedside reading while my wife was recovering from hip surgery, and (aside, perhaps, from "Goodnight, Moon,") I can't imagine better therapy. This is odd, in a way: Claude was an old man (and in pain) when Jean got to know him, and Jean was an old man when he finally brought his recollectios together. You might expect cranky, but nothing of the sort: it's a book full of sunny afterglow. Every parent would hope to be rememnbered so well.

   The book might take a bit of getting used to: Jean has his own pace and his own way of telling his story. We did it in small doses and I'm not certain yet that I quite catch the rhythm. None of the rough edges have been smoothed off which, come to think of it, is just as Claude would have wanted: Jean speaks with his own voice. You have to listen well, but you know that the voice is nobody else's.

   I suppose it helps to know a bit about the Impressionists to enjoy it all, but I can't say I know all that much, and I didn't feel impaired. Anyway, God bless Google: more than once, when Jean talked about a painting or a subject, I key-clicked my way to an image and completed (as it were) the picture.

   Kudos also to NYRB (this time) for producing what it does not always produce: a finished physical specimen The paper feels like quality; the binding is sturdy, and there is a small but satisfying selection of pictures, both colored and black-and-white. There is even an index of sorts (I assume from the original translator) but it is patchy and incomplete. That last is a shortcoming, but forgivable in light of the book's other virtues. In the NYRB firmament, this is surely a star.




5. Impressionism is my favorite style of painting so I was really enchanted with this biography. Written by Renoir's middle son, Jean, Renoir, My Father not only gives us an intimate look at the life of Auguste Renoir, it gives us an intimate look at the Paris of Renoir's day as well.

   As we get to know Renoir we get to know his contemporaries, too. Jean Renoir writes about Monet, Cezanne, Manet, Sisley and many other great artists. We learn many "little known" facts, such as Monet's penchant for lace and his "artful" way with the ladies.

   Paris really comes alive in this book. Many of the places Renoir writes about still exist and can be visited today. This book makes any art lover's trip to Paris more meaningful whether he's a Renoir fan or not.

   When reading this book, one must remember that this is not a "run of the mill" biography. This is a son writing about the father he adored. The portrait we are given is very intimate, detailed and loving. It's obvious that Jean Renoir adored his father, just as Auguste Renoir adored his family.

   Ultimately, this book is a beautiful tribute from a loving son to a father who was one of history's consummate artists. If you have any interest at all in art, this is one book you simply must not pass up. The last page alone will break your heart.

1 comments about Art in Latin America: The Modern Era, 1820-1980.

1. Great book, I use it in my art Grad class, great seller, everything went smooth and clear. AAA+

2 comments about Black Panther: The Revolutionary Art of Emory Douglas.

1. Sometimes when images from newspapers or TV are taken out of context they can fall flat out of meaning or context. Not so for the revolutionary work of Emory Douglas. Douglas who was the Minister of Culture for the Black Panther Party from 1968-1980 and it's weekly newspaper artist amassed more works for the paper in a short period than most artists in a lifetime. But quantity is not the focus here but quality, growth and diversity. Emory Douglas is a prolific artist; his one page pieces included in the Black Panther newspaper were captivating and profoundly moved individuals all over the world no matter what language they spoke. His work has influenced every generation of artists/writers/activists who found their way into his work. It is interesting to note that while Emory's finished work was incredibly elaborate looking his tools of choice were simple pen, marker, tape and paper. His palette always represented and reflected the working class.
   Black Panther: The Revolutionary Art of Emory Douglas focuses on many of Emory's best works and includes forward and texts from former Panther Chairman Bobby Seale, Kathleen Cleaver, Amiri Baraka (still NJ Poet-Lauriat in my book)and Danny Glover among a few.
   
   A definite must for anyone and everyone!!!!!!!



2. This is a must-have for the Black Panther memorabilia collector, the African American art collector or any great art book lover's collection! A beautiful and unique book. The pages are printed on a paper that really makes it look like the original Black Panther papers. I love this book.

No comments about Beyond Trend: How To Innovate In An Over-Designed World.

5 comments about The Creative Business Guide to Running a Graphic Design Business.

1. This book has a lot of examples and is a keeper. This was a required text in one of my college courses and was a fun easy read. It is structured by common mistakes others have made so it allows you to learn quickly by example.



2. This book is very dry and hard to read. There is some great information enclosed yet it is really hard to access. I also didn't appreciate that at every moment possible the author seems to downgrade the ability of the self employed, multiple times it is suggested that under no circumstances should you chose to be a sole proprietor, which for me seems to disregard those that are starting out on a smaller part time basis.



3. This book was a perfect tool to benchmark my design studio. After 14 years of business I found that Foote's advice, assumptions and calculations were right on the mark ... even for a business in New Zealand. Highly recommended.



4. This is not for me. It is pretty good for interesting reading, but not made for freelancers like me.



5. 
   This book is divided into four sections: organization, personnel, marketing, and operations. It also has four appendices. I really liked this book very much. I'm a volunteer SCORE counselor who regularly counsels SCORE clients on starting their own small businesses. I highly recommend the instant book to people similarly situated to my clients since it will help them better grasp and understand what is involved in starting a business.
   
   If you want to put together a business plan (and you should if you want to start a business), then use this book to help you by looking at the following chapters:
   
   1. A Solid Foundation
   2. Structure and Facilities
   4. Organizing
   9. Positioning
   10. Promoting
   12. Pricing Your Services
   15. Financial Issues
   
   After you prepare your business plan and have your business up and running, then you'll be able to:
   
   14. Grow the Business
   16. Personal Issues (Cash Out).
   
   I particularly liked the Case Study #6 in Appendix 2 (Failing to Institutionalize the Company). And Appendix 3 (A Designer's Short Course on Marketing) was very well done. Chapter 10 on "Promoting" was very well done given the amount of pages devoted to it.
   
   I was a bit disappointed with the Sample Business Plan Form included in Appendix 4. But the book is not exactly set up to cater to people trying to write a business plan. So I can't be too critical here.
   
   This book is packed full of content regarding the business of graphic design (and small business, in general). It will be well worth your time in reading it if you have any interest in small business. 5 stars!