1 comments about Drawing and Painting Plants.

1. The book consist of detailed botanical illustrations of flowers, plants, trees, vines, leaves and mushrooms. I bought this book so I could get an inspiration for my graphic design work and the book almost have it. It shows the details of tree barks and stems, cross section of flowers, roots and bulbs. If only it covered more fruits like berries and strawberries it could have been better. Since I prefer color illustrations, I wasn't so crazy about the pen & ink drawings. I really like the fern illustrations on page 115. Overall, this is a great book.

1 comments about Making Things Public: Atmospheres of Democracy.

1. I think this is a brilliant book. A great selection of interesting and relevant ideas on art, politics and technology. Beautiful images too and well published.

No comments about Art Gallery Calendar 2009 (Page a Day Gallery Calendar).

2 comments about Ceramics: A Potter's Handbook.

1. One of my all-time favorite references. I really love this book. It was a "suggested reading" in my pottery class, and I am very glad I purchased it. I'm an artist that is just as much about researching and understanding as I am about the actual doing and studio side of my work. This book is a treat and I highly recommend it.



2. A wealth of knowledge can be found in this timeless book that covers all the major aspects of ceramics.

   For the novice, it covers the the world's history of ceramics. Discusses clay and glaze compositions and gives step
   by step explanations of the various techniques from wheel throwing to hand building to making plaster molds for
   slip casting.

   For the advanced ceramist, there is good information of various kilns and their construction. It offers analysis of
   several major clays, frits, and feldspars as well as other useful reference tables including some recipes for
   glazes from low fire to high fire.

   I first bought the book in '82 as a college freshman and it has proven a valuable aid ever since. It is on the top of
   my "required reading" list for anyone interested in getting involved with studio ceramics.

3 comments about Art in Modern Culture (Open University Set Book).

1. This book is a good resource for source materials on Modern Art. Usually anthologies give me the willies, but this one is quite comprehensive. I prefer to get my material directly from the source. This gives someone who is unfamiliar with art history a jumping off point for the more serious criticism about this time period in art.



2. Pungent and profoundly moving, the introductory sequences to these seminal essays establish new levels of critical consciousness in that melancholy discipline known as art history. Frascina and Harris, two of our most exalted and distinguished cultural historians, provide a comprehensive survey of the culture-politics interface in C20th society. Consistently devastating and endlessly locked into the real critical issues, this is essential reading for all students of modern visual culture.



3. Pungent and profoundly moving, the introductory sequences to these seminal essays establish new levels of critical consciousness in that melancholy discipline known as art history. Frascina and Harris, two of our most exalted and distinguished cultural historians, provide a comprehensive survey of the culture-politics interface in C20th society. Consistently devastating and endlessly locked into the real critical issues, this is essential reading for all students of modern visual culture.

4 comments about Sensual Distress - Art of Steve O. Reno.

1. Steve Reno certainly has talent, and he likes drawing pretty women in dangerous settings. But are his drawings erotic? Well, some of them certainly are. By my count there are 67 drawings in this book. I divided Reno's illustrations into three different quality categories: Excellent, Average, and Weak. I rated 15 of his drawings as Excellent, 27 as Average, and 25 as Weak.
   
   On the positive side, I liked the "women as playthings" motif, I enjoyed most of the bondage drawings, and I especially loved the handful of illustrations of girls with other girls.
   
   On the negative side, there were way too many tentacles involved, also too many machines. Also, if the girls appears to be about to be drowning or stuff like that, I simply didn't find it erotic.
   
   Overall, a fairly good effort, at least in my opinion.



2. Reno's artwork is outstanding! This book had pieces that invoked humor and passion.
   
   And great addition to anyones collection.



3. Damsels in distress? No! How about Sensual Distress, the latest hot collection of art from Sal Quartuccio Productions. Their latest release presents the art of Steve Reno, 64 pages of playful pinups especially geared towards the bondage/fetish fan. The Reno woman is beautiful, busty, and always seemingly has a wide-eyed look of shock and surprise on her face, as she is caught up in the most...distressful situations!
   
   All of Steve's pieces are titled which is nice, especially when one is trying to do a review. Steve first takes fans on a tour of sensual distress through the ages with images that have come to exemplify eras of film and popular culture. The first with showing a girl about to be sawed in half by a dastardly, handlebar mustached villain. "Cliffhanger" gives us a scene straight out of 1940's B-Movie serials as the lovely heroine is tossed from a cliff, her hands and feet bound tightly. The 1950's piece is all about giant monsters and evil aliens, binding these poor girls in their sinewy webs. The 1980's gives us Reno's take on the video game Dragon's Lair with his love girl about to be eaten by the scaly terror.
   
   From there we get a variety of different illustrations from the terrifying to the hilarious. Reptiles and octopus-like creatures play a prime role as monsters of choice in Steve's work. Their tentacles are often found binding and probing their beautiful subjects. "island Sacrifice" finds a buxom topless girl tied to a palm tree as tentacles rise out of the sea to embrace her. "Collecting Figures" find doll-like subjects being tape to title cards by their collector. "Steve-O-Reno's Vibe-O-Rama" is one of the provocative pieces as a bound, blonde Goddess is surrounded by all manner and shape of mechanical-armed vibrators. "Floor Models" features a man looking at half dozen tied up women as he tries to decide which one he wants to take home.
   
   This is just a fun, sexy book. 64 pages with black & white interior art and color covers. This is women objectified in the most sensual manner!
   
   REVIEWED BY TIM JANSON



4. At times, indeed, the world seems aflame and in the midst of a cultural war. Sanctimonious religious authorities and would-be moral police of various ilk would have us all in sackcloth with blindfolds if they had their way. In this war, I for one, am delighted to be on side that welcomes expressions of eroticism, free speech and kinky pencil drawings. Steve O draws women who end up looking even better than those in my head (and I have a pretty damn good imagination). His clever and often tongue-in-cheek perils are wonderfully rendered and beautifully composed. Ye Who Enter: Abandon All Political Correctness ... but plan on having a great time with this one. It's a keeper.

5 comments about Understanding Three Dimensions.

1. This is a great book. Very clear and basic. Exactly what 3D design students need. HOWEVER, it is way too pricy. AND desperately needs a new edition updated with color pictures and more current art work.



2. This book is a good reminder of the fundamental elements that make good sculpture. The author draws from a variety of resources and includes lots of visuals. There are some project suggestions in the back of the book to allow more hands on interaction with the idea of three dimensional design. I would recommend this book for any beginner in 3D and as a good reminder for more experienced sculptors.



3. This book really got me on my feet with the whole "three dimensions" thing. Before reading this swashbuckling tale, I feel my life existed in only 2 dimensions. It took this masterpiece for me to realize that my view of the world was horribly obscured B.U.T.D. (Before Understanding Three Dimensions). This is a life altering work of brilliance, form first dimension to third.



4. Upon my reading of the book, I took much time to contemplate the intricacies of the genious of the Authors. Especially Jerry Leisure, who, in my opinion, possesses one of the greatest minds of the century. I recomend this book to anyone who is interested in this subject matter.



5. wow. 40 bucks for a hundred pages. makes me wonder what is going on in today's world.

5 comments about Art Puzzles By Number.

1. I can recommend everybody who likes this kind of puzzles. I am a big fan of this puzzles and it is pretty difficult to find a good paint by number puzzles in this country. I really enjoy with this book. I hope she will come out with a new paint by number book and also add colourful puzzles too.



2. I've been doing this type of puzzle for a few years now, at least 1 a day during lunch or before bed. I'd say this book is well done, with quality heavy paper and ink, and the puzzles have been checked to make sure they are solvable.
   
   There are some drawbacks:
   The binding fell apart pretty quickly. Also, the puzzles are very easy...so this is really good for beginners, not for experts. The book walks you through solving technique, then puzzles start out small and get larger as you progress.
   
   Overall, it's a good buy if you are a novice and are gentle on your things.



3. This book is great and ADDICTIVE! I can't do enough of them and should have gone to bed, but went on to the next puzzle instead. The paper is of high quality, however, a previous reviewer was correct about the binding. It split after only 3 or 4 puzzles and I like to keep my work all together. I wish the answers were tear out or separate so that someone can't come along and "spoil it" for you. It would also be nice if so many of the answers weren't on the same page in case you need to take a look at one puzzle and that way you could keep the element of surprise of the next puzzles you work on.
   All in all, Kathy Weaver has done an exceptional job! I've put her next book for sure on my wish list! Kudos!



4. I'M HOOKED. IT IS SO MUCH FUN I CAN'T PUT IT DOWN. I HAVE TRIED OTHER BOOKS AND THEY DON'T COMPARE TO HERS. IN KATHYS, YOU CAN TELL WHAT THE PICTORE IS SUPPOSE TO BE. I NEED MORE BY HER. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AN ERASER HANDY AND THEN GO FOR IT.
   
   ELLEN



5. I love these type of puzzles (aka Picross, Paint By Numbers, Nonograms, Griddlers, etc). This collection will please fans of these puzzle types- the paper stock is a good heft (similar to the "Paint By Numbers" release by Games Magazine so you won't be scratching holes though the pages.
   The book offers a brief introduction & sample puzzle. From there it's puzzle after puzzle. If you love these puzzles, you can't go wrong with this book.

No comments about Branding: From Brief to Finished Solution.

5 comments about Collage for the Soul: Expressing Hopes and Dreams Through Art.

1. This isn't your average Artsy Coffee Table book! At first and second glance this book was on the verge of being traded until I actually read the words! After reading the first artist's opening page, I found myself intrigued and excited to see "what's next". The author not only formatted the book in a way that helped build upon existing skills but also increasing new found skills. The contributing artists personal commentary was fun to read and the techniques they shared invaluable. Excellent book not only for the artist teaching value but also for the search for inner "soul" searching.



2. This is a terrific book for anyone interested in collage as an art as opposed to a craft. There is a wide range of work displayed, covering a number of different styles. Interspersed with the projects in the book are several discussions of such techniques and processes as using encaustics, finding symbols, using different means of transforming papers, transferring images, using collage as a medium for your memoirs, etc. There are also useful and inspiring sidebars throughout that help the artist come up with ideas and techniques they may never have thought of before.
   
   AN earlier reviewer objects to the fact that the directions for the projects are not extremely precise. I consider that one of the great strengths of the book--I am not interested in recreating the exact piece of art displayed, I want to learn new methods to interpret my own ideas. There are some books and magazines out there that tell you exactly what brand name products to use in exactly which colors. Those books are intended for a different audience. This book is meant for those who are not afraid to experiment and learn. It encourages the reader to try new processes and new approaches, rather than handing out exact formulas.
   
   Here are just some of the techniques covered in various projects: assemblage, encaustic, monotype, oil pastels, tissue-paper lamination, using foraged natural materials, making a collaged art doll, paper-pulp casting, transferring photos to different surfaces, sanding back to reveal underlayers... There is a tremendous amount to be learned from this book. It is not quite as showy as True Colors, but it serves a different purpose. True Colors, as delightful as it is, is primarily eye candy, and is limited to altered books. Collage For The SOul covers a much wider spectrum of collage work, and provides much more information on techniques for the artist.
   
   I recommend this book and Gerald Brommer's collage book as THE two to own, if you can only have two. I can hardly wait for the next collage book by the same team, which is due out soon.



3. If you are buying every book on this subject, this could be among them. However, if making a choice, this should not be a priority. The projects are not inspiring, a challenge considering the fine artists composing them. They show some interesting techniques, but who wants to use them considering what we're offered as goals? I would recommend "True Colors", by Harrison," Altered Books Workshop", by Brazelton, and "Making Memory Books and Journals by Hand", (a marvelous compilation of 42 projects put together by Thunder Bay Press) as being FAR more worthwhile.



4. I was thoroughly disappointed in this book. Based on reviewer comments I hastened to buy it, and then found it uninspiring. It presented nothing new, not an iota of soul and seemed like a simple compendium of collage work with some scattered instructions that may not be sufficiently clear.



5. If you are a collage artist, you will want to purchase this book. It is not a "how to" book but a wonderful resource of images and artists you might not find anywhere else. Many different styles of collage are represented and I find something new and inspiring everytime I look at it! There are many women creating in the collage world today and not enough resources to find them...get this book and see new images and artists! The collages are shown in beautiful, full page reproductions so that you can study the details. Highly recommend!