No comments about Art of the Avant-Gardes (Art of the Twentieth Century).

2 comments about Ethnic Jewelry: Africa, Asia, And The Pacific.

1. I wanted this book to inspire me, not necessary be an historical reference book. It did what I wanted, and so this is a happy customer. It is an oversize book, and the photos are nothing short of stunning.



2. Magnificent photos of ethnic jewelry. On a par with The Splender of Ethnic Jewelry, but the text is not as detailed.

2 comments about Undersea Adventure: a Kaleidoscopia coloring book (Kaleidoscopia Coloring Book).

1. Thank you for bringing these wonderful coloring books to Amazon.com! Year after year, at Minneapolis's Art a Whirl I look forward to finding Kendall Bohn's art studio because of the colorful and intellectual art he produces. Kendall is an artist who has not forgotten our children (and the children at heart) and their need for abstract, creative and fun art. Each coloring book is a flawless masterpiece which makes them a fantastic gift for cultivating imagination. My children have colored these beautiful pages to match their bedrooms, and I have framed them for everyone to admire! We look forward to your continued releases!



2. I have never seen such a high quality coloring book. Not your run of the mill images. You can tell they are done by an artist! Both of my kids absolutely loved it! I highly recommend it!

No comments about Anselm Kiefer/Paul Celan: Myth, Mourning and Memory.

No comments about Mario Mandala: Colouring Book.

1 comments about Holbein and England (Paul Mellon Centre for Studies).

1. This is an outstanding book by the world's leading expert on Holbein. The plates are superb, the color reproductions remarkably faithful.

3 comments about Monet and the Impressionists for Kids: Their Lives and Ideas, 21 Activities (For Kids series).

1. The invention of photograph had a profound impact on painting. At the start of the 19th-century the goal of painting was realism, but with a camera that became a moot point. Eventually the art world decided the only rational thing to do was to go in the opposite direction and to find an alternative to reality. The Impressionists represent the first successful movement by paintings to capture the public imagination with "non-realistic" art. "Monet and the Impressionists for Kids" not only introduces young readers to Impressionism but also follows up with 21 activities that will allow them to try their hand at painting. These activities are what makes Carol Sabbeth's book stand out from others on the Impressionists in general and Claude Monet in particular, because it is pretty much impossible to be exposed to these paintings and not want to try to do it yourself.

   The book is divided into two halves. Part I: The Impressionists introduces readers to "A New Way of Looking at the World" and then devotes sections to the life and art of Claude Monet, Pierre Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, and Mary Cassatt. Monet is clearly the star of the book (he certainly defines Impressionism for me), and there are five activities devoted to his section. Part II: The Post-Impressionists looks at the painters Paul Cezanne, Paul Gauguin, and Georges Surat, with a final section devoted to "Lasting Impressions."

   Sabbeth provides a concise biography for each of the artists, with reproductions of their most famous and important works, along with an Art Detective section that tells you how to spot their work in terms of distinguishing characteristics. Most of the activities are specifically tied to the paintings. Off of Monet's "Regattas at Argenteuil" we learn about Painting Reflections; from the cloisonnism of Gauguin we experiment by making a Cup of Gauguin. These activities explore the uniqueness of these painters, from Cezanneýs brilliant rectangles of color to the sculpture-like circles of dancers by Degas. Some of these activities are truly creative, such as constructing your own little Monet haystack to appreciate the colors and light at different times of day. I especially liked the one for Seurat Sugar Cookies, where you make your cookies sugar-sprinkled masterpieces using the artist's pointillist technique.

   I totally agree with the premise of this book, that there is no art form more appealing to children than Impressionism. If you are not a "real" Art Teacher (a distinct possibility in the wonderful new world of educational budget cuts) you will find "Monet and the Impressionists for Kids" both informative and instructional. Not only can you introduce children to the ballet dancers of Degas and the island scenes of Gauguin, but you can also find several activities for your students to do in class or at home. This is a very enjoyable and practical look at the great Impressionist painters. This book is for ages 9 and up, which is great because I qualify as being up.




2. This is a wonderful book with great ideas to do with kids so that they can get an understanding of the arts through hands on experiences.



3. Monet And The Impressionists For Kids is a book filled with 21 fun and educational activities to teach young people more about the classical painter Claude Monet and others in the grand and beautiful tradition of Impressionist art. Gorgeously illustrated in full color, Monet And The Impressionists For Kids features such activities as using colored construction paper to paint reflections, or painting the shimmering sky with watercolors. A wonderful biography and history, as well as a highly educational rainy-day fun book, Monet And The Impressionists For Kids is as entertaining as it is educational and highly recommended for home schooling and classroom curriculum supplementation.

2 comments about Homo Art (Icons).

1. This is a beautiful and varied collection of artwork that glorifies, eroticizes, and celebrates the male body. It contains art (paintings, sculptures, etc.) from as early as the most ancient civilizations to as late as the present day, and from countries as far apart on the map as China and America. Even the subject matter is diverse, as the art covers everything from Greek mythology, to modern-day S&M, to, of course, the arrow-ridden body of St. Sebastian that no collection of homoerotic art could ever be complete without. My only complaint about this book is that the art is not categorized by year, country, or both. Not only would that make it easier to find specific artwork, but it would also be interesting to compare and contrast different cultures or see how the art has evolved. Still, if you're interested in the historical and artistic depiction of homosexuality and the male body, or if you just enjoy admiring beautiful artwork (and you don't mind the small size of the pictures), then this book is well worth the price.



2. We have seen these same old prints to the nth degree!!! Acceptable for restroom reading/decoupage projects.

5 comments about Design-It-Yourself: Graphic Workshop: The Step-By-Step Guide (Design-It-Yourself).

1. I recommend this book as more of a reference than a comprehensive guide. Though aspiring designers may get a lot of ideas from this book, I found it more mix-and-match or quick-fix, complementing what I already know about design. To me, it shouldn't be treated even as a short design course.
   
   I use this book to help me as a refresher, and it's very effective that way.
   
   (I wish, though, that I had waited for the smaller paperback to come out. The size of the hardcover isn't space-friendly. The smaller one would have been perfect.)



2. Although many reviews felt that this was a necessary addition to their graphic design library - I felt that it was too elementary for me. I am a very experienced designer and graphic design professor and I found the projects too simplistic. If I had an opportunity to thumb the book prior to purchase - I would not have purchased this title. It is really for beginners.



3. Important to note that this book is not just another portfolio of good work. Chuck Green demonstrates clearly and concisely the process of creating the outstanding work presented in the book.



4. Until now I purchased 7 graphic design books. In fact,
   I used to like them, until I found this book, which
   destroyed them all. I wish if Design-It-Yourself was
   the first one I purchased!
   
   Anyway, it is great and detailed reference you should
   not miss out if you are in graphic design business.
   This book doesn't only cover the different design
   aspects. In fact, it digs even deeper!
   
   
   Why it's my favorite:
   ---------------------
   1. Simple but detailed!
   (Illustrates in pictures all what is needed to know in a
   simple way and without saying too much)
   
   2. Colorful
   (Inspires and gives a better understanding of the content)
   
   3. Combines two areas
   (Graphic design and touches slightly business branding)
   
   4. Hardcover
   (A reference that you will not be able to put down since
   you catch! So, this way it will last longer)
   
   5. I don't want to be unfair when writing this review
   (This book contains even more reasons to buy than what
   I just mentioned above)
   
   Thank you Chuck Green for the great effort you put
   into this great reference :)



5. Beautifully ilustrated, full of graphics, done by a top pro, no question probably one of the best self help books on the market.
   Los Angeles Adrian Valle Photography, would like to see a more in deep chapter about prepress issues, (an area where everybody is totally lost, even some so called designers)preparing your design for delivery to a commercial printer, color separation, proofing etc.

1 comments about Andrea Zittel: Critical Space.

1. This is a high quality print art book, is well edited, with the artist's career and thoughts organized into chapters, somewhat chronologically. Zittel is only in her late 30s and is super prolific so this book is really like an early mid life summary and not a true retrospective.
   
   Zittel's lists of ideas are handy. When I am feeling down about the messiness, the lack of space, urban decay, and my relative poverty, I just need to look at one of her lists to get cheered up (e.g., matte surfaces hide dirt, how much space does one need, anyway?) She has such a sense of humor about stuff that most people get too serious about (today, everyone wants more space, more clothes, more variety.... Zittel makes you laugh and question, why? And to recognize that too much choice, too much stuff becomes oppressive).
   
   I predict that Zittel will be as recognized one day as a Knoll, a Perriand, a Schindler-type epoch-maker, a messiah, a visionary for modernist design. Under the terms of our mass consumer culture, she cannot become really popular, but she has the right critical outsider attitude, and with such a happy, cheerful twist. I wish Target or some mass market producer would adopt some of her ideas and sell them to the masses (the bowl-in-the-table, the carpets made to look like furniture, the "uniform" outfit, the A-Z living unit, etc.).
   
   Zittel has the vision to improve the average person's life through simple changes, and even allow people to spend less money for fewer, but better designed, "re-thought" products.