No comments about Amedeo Modigliani: Erotic Sketchbook.

4 comments about Homefields: The Art of Lanford Monroe.

1. Lanford Monroe's paintings are sensitive and ethereal. She had the ability to evoke a place and a moment in time that either makes you want to go there, or will help you remember a special place you've loved.
   
   While she would be classified as a wildlife artist, her animals don't take center stage. It's as if you were present at a beautiful place and a fox or deer appeared suddenly. The setting was perfect without the addition - but what a gentle surprise a moose, chickadee, or flock of geese adds to the view.
   
   Her rendering is nearly perfect, but the paintings never appear to be photographic. They convey a painterly quality that gives an effect a photo will never have.
   
   This is the book I keep handy for moments when I can sit and, through the pages, travel to places that look much like my home in West Virginia. Or I can see just how the desert or a canyon would look. The text shows Lanford as a warm, down-to-earth person who had an incredible gift. Thanks to her husband for sharing her art and stories of their lives with us.



2. Being a long time art collector and gallery owner, I believe Lanford Monroe was one of the most talented artists of all times. Sadly, I did not discover her works until after her death. This book covers more of her artwork than I even expected. The photography was fantastic and the text very informative. Since I cannot afford any of Lanford's art, this book is the next best thing. My thanks to the Monroe family for sharing Lanford with the rest of the world.



3. First of all, in the interest of full disclosure, I should say that the late Lanford Monroe was a part of my "extended family by marriage" (the cousin of my brother-in-law, to be precise). As such, my opinion is hardly unbiased. Until recently I had seen only a small sampling of Lanford's work. She was actually a very prolific artist and this handsome volume is a fabulous overview of her life's work. Lanford was truly one of the great landscape artists of our time. I highly recommend this book.



4. "Homefields: The Art of Lanford Monroe" is a "must-have" for any artist or aspiring artist. The late Lanford Monroe was an astoundingly talented artist whom I admired for her mystique and unusual ability to capture the emotion of a scene, not just the landscape. This book, written by my good friend and her husband, Chip Thompson, is one of my most prized possessions. The writing is remarkably captivating in its honest portrayal of the life of a woman who was destined to become one of America's all-time greatest painters. [...]

No comments about Twentieth Century Theories of Art.

4 comments about Beasts! Book One.

1. I expected to like this book since it features several of my favorite artists such as Richard Sala and Dave Cooper. But I was surprised by how cool this book is. The production and design are top-notch and the different artists really turned out some of their best work. Even people you've never heard of will impress you. Everyone seems to have had fun with this idea.
   To sum up-this is one of the best purchases I've made all year.



2. I've never seen anything like it, highly original and entertaining. A fascinating look at creatures and the span of artistic style throughout the various fields of art. Ranging from gig poster designers to children's book illustrators. It's a solid addition to anyone's collection.



3. If you're really into vampires, trolls, loch ness monsters, and beasts that don't even have a name but were finally given one just so they could have a place in this book because they were just so darn interesting (seems like it, though apparently that's not ~really~ the case), then this is the book for you. A really beautiful binding plus lovely artwork and snappy but smart descriptions makes the perfect Beasts! book.
   
   The descriptions probably won't go over three sentences long and are snappy and to the point. There are times when I wish they could have provided more information, but really, they've just managed the right amount to keep the book engaging but not overactive with information, and it's nice to know how such a truly different book can make you go, "how weird but cool". You wouldn't believe what some of these beasts can do and what kind of names they have - Laestrygonians, man-eating giants, for instance.
   
   All of the illustrations are delightfully creative and stay true to form. They all match their descriptions extremely well and just harmonize with the page, giving you an excellent visual representation of the beast. They're not like creatures from Pan's Labryinth sketchbook or whatever, but they each have distinctive style from the other and the imagination is just amazing. One of my favorites is the vampire image - just so clean with so much contrast, long, needle-point fangs, a bloody mouth and arm, and piercing, white eyes; it really makes me scared. All of the illustrations are fantastic, really.
   
   This book will make an interesting add to your bedside, coffee, work, or whatever table you put it on. The monsters are something to look at, and you'll just admire how everything was done from the layout to the pictures to the nice descriptions. Personally, I also love the cover of the book. It looks even more elaborate and beautiful in real-life.



4. Over 90 modern artits are in this book.Including Tony Millionaire, Jordan Crane ,Dan Yeagle, and my fav Josh Cochran. Assembled is a great book of monsters given form by many modern artists. Some monster you'll like some you'll hate, but you'll have fun looking them up through this book. It took about three years for this to come out and with so many artists invovled I can understand why.
   
   I waited forever for this to come out. I actually found out about it because of art show mix up. One of the artists apperaing in the book had some pieces in another art show called COVER TO COVER. They used his work from this book on the flyer and that was the only reason I went to the art show. Well that piece wasn't there and I was pissed. Then I found out about this book a couple months later and have been waiting for it to come out. Then I found out there was a art show for this books release and so I went and actually met the guy who did the piece that intially grabbed me. Tritons by Josh Cochran. He even signed my book. So did fiften other artists.

No comments about Leon Golub.

No comments about Packaging Makeover: Graphic Redesign for Market Change.

3 comments about Oriental Carpets: From the Tents, Cottages and Workshops of Asia.

1. _____________________________________________
   I like rug books -- my wife and I went to a rug show
   and came home with almost $600 (!!) worth -- in fact, I sprained my
   back getting them out to the car. This book was, without question,
   the best deal of the bunch -- you might be surprised how small a
   stack $600 worth of books can be (OK, one of them was $250, our
   "big" Xmas gift to each other, & the most expensive book we've
   ever bought.)
   
   You'll recognize this book in the store by the wonderful cover
   photo of two cheerful Turkoman girls knotting a carpet. This is
   one of the strengths of the book -- lots of photos of rug weavers at
   work, and how they live, both modern and historic. The second
   strength -- lots and lots of gorgeous color photos of rugs! They're
   not quite as good as the $250 book, but pretty darned close. Third,
   Mr Thompson writes in a clear, wry, direct fashion that's a joy to
   read -- a refreshing contrast to the garbled, turgid and/or purple
   prose you may have seen in other rug/art books. Here's a sample
   from the appendix on buying advice, "Closing-down Sales":
   
   "This new method of selling carpets... is based on the very simple
   principle that avarice, cupidity and greed are unfailing sources of
   positive motivations in human beings..."
   
   If you have any interest in Oriental rugs, you *need* this book. If
   you don't think you're interested, do yourself a favor & check it
   out from the library. Would that more art books were like this....
   
   review copyright 1998 by Peter D. Tillman
   
   Pete Tillman, a long-time textile collector, once wrote (and sold!) a
   science-fiction story based on Oriental rugs.
   
   Note: this is a repost of the review just below -- I've lost the account name
   I had then, and so can't revise or delete it. Sigh



2. You'll recognize this book in the store by the wonderful cover photo of two cheerful Turkoman girls knotting a carpet. This is one of the strengths of the book -- lots of photos of rug weavers at work, and how they live, both modern and historic. The second strength -- lots and lots of gorgeous color photos of rugs!



3. This is an excellent book to learn about oriental carpets, and it provides a good general reference for both first time and experienced buyers. It is well written and well-organized. I have the larger format hard copy, which shows off the 180(!) excellent photos of a large variety of both new and old carpets, and the people who make them. The quality of the photos are the best I have found among the many carpet books I've read and looked through. At the back are two informative 2-page maps showing the main carpet-making areas of Turkey, the Middle East, China & Mongolia. Note that this book is not a complete lexicon of carpets, so it is less useful for someone who wants to look up a particular carpet name, spelling, or style. Highly recommended, especially the hard copy published in 1988, if you can find it.

No comments about The Journal of Modern Craft Volume 1 Issue 1 (Journal of Modern Craft).

No comments about The Artist's Voice: Talks With Seventeen Modern Artists.

3 comments about Vatican Masterpieces.

1. This book was a gift, we had just been to the Vatican and thought it was a glorious way to share some of the art and beauty that we saw on tour. The book has fine photographs and shares the best of the masterpieces with the viewer.



2. What a great book! The pictures alone make this a worthwhile purchase. For those who know only the famous artists names to those who are art enthusiasts this is a must own. This book is beautifully put together with a tour of 100 masterpieces of the Vatican. It`s filled with interesting anectdotes and interesting facts about the artists and their art. Close ups of the paintings in very clear beautiful pictures. After you read this book you will be able to speak intelligently about artists like Raphael, Botticelli, Leonardo, Fra Angelica, and of course Michelangelo. Learn also of many other great but not so famous artists. A great book for occasional light reading, reference, or even as a study companion for art students. Many thanks to Enrico Bruschini. Next stop Sistine Chapel!



3. I plan on taking this book to Italy when I visit Rome. It's small enough and filled with so many details and close-ups of the paintings and other artworks. For the price, it's a remarkable find. I encouraged my students to read this book prior to our visit. I feel they will have a better understanding and appreciation for what we will experience. I highly recommend this book.