2 comments about Guide to Fake & Forged Marks.

1. This is a good book for the serious antiques dealer or collector. This book contains clear pictures of the real and fake marks side by side (mostly in black and white) with some dates, and is split into categories according to type of antique.



2. A very interesting book for introducing beginning appraisers to fake and forged marks. The illustrations are very helpful. Information is plentiful. I would have preferred it to be all in color, though.

5 comments about The Best of Business Card Design 6 (Best of Business Card Design (Hardback)).

1. OK. Let's get one thing straight from the beginning.
   Many of the most creative elements ended up for self use.
   So does that make this volume a practical how-to for real client projects?
   Yes, I think so. We must push the edge of design to remain rut-free and boring.
   So, buy this volume. Be challenged to go beyond the edge of your level of design. Just remember to have a few lesser aggressive designs in your back pocket if clients take a deep breath and say "Well that's interesting".



2. I found this book very useful. It gave great examples of wonderfully designed business cards and letterheads. Great inspirational tool.



3. The stunning collection of cards displayed in this book are inspiring. Just one element in a card can influence the rest of my design and get me on a roll. This book is full of classy, eye popping designs to edgy, out the box designs. It is a sure fire fit for any designer.



4. Such a great source of inspiration for us right brainers! The BEST OF series never disappoints!



5. There are so many awesome designs in here, I come back to it time and time again for inspiration.

No comments about Masterpieces of Indian Art.

3 comments about Hatshepsut: From Queen to Pharaoh (Metropolitan Museum of Art Series).

1. This is one of the best books that I've seen on the art, symbolism and life in Ancient Egypt. Set within the reign of Hatshepsut, a royal wife and queen who transformed herself into Pharaoh, it looks at the lives of royal women from the images and personal artifacts that have been left behind.
   
   Each chapter takes a look at aspects of Hatshepsut's reign and life, as well as the architect Senenmut, who may or may not have been her lover, but was also her most trust confidant -- and to whom she turned the education and care of her daughter, Neferure. One section that was of particular interest to me were the displays of women's lives and those of children, a topic that usually gets overlooked. There are exquisite pieces of jewelry, goldwork and tiny statues -- one of a small child, no longer than a pinkie finger, and holding an unbloomed lotus blossom, was particularly poignant. Along with precious objects there were also everyday items from mirrors, toiletry objects, small jars used to hold cosmetics and oils, to boxes and games, and several very fragile pieces of furniture of exquisite craftsmanship. All of these are shown in the catalog, each one with a detailed description and what it was meant to be used for.
   
   Another aspect that I really enjoyed was how Hatshepsut changed the artistic styles that were in use in Egypt, and how it influenced later depictions of rulers. Icongraphy that shows her wearing male attire, false beard and holding symbols of regal authority are throughout, as well as the unusual temple that she designed and built at Deir El-Bahri where she intended to be worshipped and remembered throughout eternity.
   
   The essays are clear and managed to be free of most jargon which would drive away most armchair archaelogists and non-specialists. The book is laid out in beautiful detail and design, giving plenty of room for the reader to savor each object and the type and layout in a pleasing format. Despite the hefty cost at 45$US for the paperback, and 65$US for the hardback editions, it is well worth the price.
   
   In short, if you can't get to one of the locations where this exhibition is showing, this massive and exquisitely produced catalog is the next best thing. The photographs and drawings are very crisp and clear, the writing is informative, there are extensive notes and it provides a lovely experience for anyone interested in the power of women in the ancient world, or Egypt at the height of power and conquest.
   
   For those who are interested in such things, this exhibition was shown in San Francisco in late 2005/early 2006, will continue at the Met until August 2006, and will continue on to the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas from 24 August to 31 December 2006. I do suggest that if you can, do try to see this. It's worth it.
   
   Highly Recommended.



2. Think of early Egypt and you think of King Tut and Cleopatra. Those two, however, are not the sum total of Egyptian history. This book is basically a catalog of the collection regarding Hatshepsut a most interesting woman. She was the daughter of a king, and was married to her half brother. Upon his death the kingship transferred to his son by a secondary wife with Hatshepsut as regent for her nephew. Later she became co-ruler and king in her own right. Got all that?
   
   The collection, made over many years included numerous pieces that were deliberately smashed about twenty years after her death. Because such fragments were not of value they waited until recent times when they were patiently assembled into the statues that they are today. In addition the collection contains hundreds of objects produced during her reign. The items are described by some twenty-five noted Egyptologists in addition to the three authors.
   
   The book is of large format and profusely illustrated with perhaps 400 pictures, about half of which are in color. This book will remain after the exhibit is gone.



3. Once again the Metropolitan Museum has enriched the history and art of Egypt books with the publication of this very impressive catalogue that accompanies the exhibition 'Hatshepsut : From Queen to Pharaoh'. While many other museum exhibitions have been inundated with people attending the King Tut behemoths, this exhibition focuses on Hatshepsut, daughter of King Thutmose I, and wife and half-sister of King Thutmose II, who in the mid-15th century BC gradually acquired kingly status and power for herself. Her reign was twenty years in length as a woman pharaoh.
   
   The catalogue that accompanies this traveling exhibition is beautifully designed and is full of extant drawings and objects that demonstrate her influence on history, culture, monumental art, and architecture of the late 17th and early 18th Dynasties. The writing is of the highest order and divides the book into "Setting the Scene," "Hatshepsut and Her Court," "Hatshepsut's Building Projects," "Decorative Arts," "The Proscription," and "The Aftermath." In addition to the written information, the catalogue has superb reproductions of jewelry, pottery, furniture, reliefs, and statuary. Then, sadly, the writing includes detailed descriptions of the demolition and desecration of the important monuments from Hatshepsut's reign.
   
   Here is a moment in history brought to life by a group of fine curators and writers, suggesting that as much as we think we know about the past, there are always surprises to be brought to our attention by the museums of the world. A fine book, this. Grady Harp, March 06

No comments about Metallography and Microstructure in Ancient and Historic Metals (Getty Trust Publications: Getty Conservation Institute).

No comments about The Sixties A Decade in Vogue.

2 comments about Art & Architecture: The Ebsworth Collection & Residence.

1. It's difficult enough, we all know, for a house's exterior and interior to appear unified. So when an entire house, its remarkable natural setting, and the owner's impressive art collection cohere in perfect harmony, that deserves a book. The subject here is the bay-front Seattle home of businessman Barney Ebsworth. The architecture is by Jim Olson of Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects; the quietly sympathetic interiors are by Terry Hunziker; and the landscape architecture is by Allworth Nussbaum. The result is a well integrated composition of concrete, limetone, and natural woods, with long enfilades leading to views of the splendid green setting. All work together to give a starring role to the art, part of which was shown at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. in 2000. As the book's editor, graphic designer Dung Ngo, says in his introduction, the owner can "dine with [Edward] Hopper and [Wayne] Thiebaud, read with [David] Hockney and [Alexander] calder, and bathe wih [Charles] Sheeler and [Ellsworth] Kelly."
   Happily, this impressive design accomplishment extends to the book itself-the work of it's editor's Ngo Studio. The pages offer full-bleed images by Paul Warchol, among other photographers; a floor plan; and several detail drawings



2. Entrepreneur Barney Ebsworth who made his money in the travel industry took his company public and in 1999 began devoting his time to modern American art. He was able to acquire a site on Lake Washington near Seattle and had Jim Olson design a building to serve as both a residence and as a gallery to show his collection.
   
   The house is almost as much of an art object as any of the art being exhibited. It is a spectacular design that reminds me greatly of some of Frank Lloyd Wright's best work. It fits into the setting perfectly looking almost as though nature had intended for it to be there. It consists of three pavilions connected by glass enclosed walkways (this is after all in Seattle), and in spite of its size (14,000 square feet) is has the look of a small cottage nestled in amongst the trees.
   
   The art collection was begun with the idea of having twelve pieces, but the twelve best pieces that could be obtained. When a new piece was obtained, the rule was to get rid of a piece. Obviously that didn't last long and the collection now has about 200 pieces.
   
   The book is also a masterpiece, beautiful photography, beautiful printing. As one comment from the book says, 'A harmony of equals: Nature, Artchitecture, and Art.'

No comments about Celestial Gallery Meditation Deck.

No comments about Sexual Politics: Judy Chicago's <i>Dinner Party</i> in Feminist Art History.

1 comments about Drawing and Painting Plants and Flowers.

1. This book is outstanding, beautiful, well-taught, with unique art lessons. I am impressed by how much this book teaches, the beauty of the paintings, and it's unique approach. The artist is an excellent teacher.
   This book is mostly (but not exclusively) about painting plants and flowers in watercolor and the other media that can be used to make a watercolor painting more interesting. It is divided into 2 parts--Part I and Part 2
   
   PART 1 explores techniques and the pros and cons of each medium, mixing media, materials, the basic structure of plants and flowers, composition, perspective, color, controlling light, and comparing how to approach a drawing or painting depending on if it is inside or outside.
   
   PART II takes the techniques introduced in part I and gives step-by-step projects with wonderful photographs of each step and excellent instructions on exactly what to do. Each project is unique in using different types of paper and drawing or painting media.
   
   Watercolor is used as the main media in the majority of paintings, and other media such as watercolor inks, watercolor pastels, chalk pastel, oil pastels, acrylic paint, pencil and colored pencil are also used either alone or in combination with another media. I love this book because it opens up a lot of possibilities on increasing creativity in your paintings, both in the approach you take, or the types and combinations of media and methods you can use. It is not your typical watercolor lesson book and that is what makes it so special.
   
   EX: Project I explores the use of oriental brushes on semi-rough watercolor paper to give the project simplicity and a calligraphic style.
   
   Project 2: Wild Plants: Acrylics on gessoed masonite --this project helps you learn to simplify and allow yourself to revise work.
   
   Project 3: Daisies: Conte crayons and watercolor on semi-rough watercolor paper.
   
   Project 4: Ponds and water: Watercolors on semi-rough watercolor paper--painting sunlight and shade, waterlilies and one pink-red flower--a 5 page project in 8 steps.
   
   Project 5: Exterior Architectural Setting: Watercolors, pastels, and conte crayons on semi-rough watercolor paper--considering the trees and shrubs and large hedges in the same way as "architecture", and using watercolor to block-in and pastels for shaping and highlighting--beginning with the sketching and shadowing mapped out.
   
   Project 6: Winter scene: Watercolors on semi-rough watercolor paper--the use of masking fluid and learning to plan the composition carefully through sketches and studies of the photograph, learning tonal and color contrast for snow or ice--GREAT EXERCISE!!
   
   Project 7: Spring Scene: Watercolors and colored pencils on semi-rough watercolor paper--making a composite of two different views--using semi-rough watercolor paper, colored pencils, oriental brushes, watercolor paints.
   
   Project 8: Summer Scene: Watercolors on semi-rough watercolor paper--highlighting blooms in sunlight, using masking fluid and gum arabic, watercolors, oriental brushes, semi-rough paper, pencil.
   
   Project 9: Fall Colors: watercolor inks on semi-rough watercolor paper--pencil, watercolor inks, steel-nib dip pen,
   oriental brush, semi-rough wc paper.
   
   Project 10: Botanical Gardens: Watercolor pastels on semi-rough watercolor paper, combining different lights and views (2 different photos) into one painting
   
   Project 13: Interior lilies: colored pencils, pastels, and conte crayons on gray ingres paper
   
   This should give you some idea of how much you can learn from this book.
   It is definitely a 5-star. FABULOUS, FUN, BEAUTIFUL, CREATIVE, UNIQUE book!!