3 comments about How I Learned Not to Be a Photojournalist.

1. I recently re-read this book after two years. It's still great. Hagaman's recounting of her exploratory and creative processes are detailed and really without parallel in the photographic literature. Few artists detail how they often move through images that may please others but that are cliched and unsatisfying to the artist themselves, and their search for something better through self-examination, staying open to what they really see, and persisting at what they feel is important. She echoes Winogrand at one point, describing her quest to find out that things are like when photographed. Conservative christians may not like some images, but she shoots what she sees.



2. I loved this book. And those who love good photography will really enjoy it. Hagaman goes through the transformation of everyday photojournalist to heartfeeling photographer. Though the opinions about her religious standpoint can easily offend others, I think it was wonderful how by stepping back from the taught cliches she could open up to a greater expression of truth.



3. How I Learned Not to Be a Photo Journalist is over all a dumb book. The only intrusting thing about it is pointing out the conflicts between art and photojournalism. But other then that it's not much more then a not-so-bright individual's quest to make a not-so-good group of pictures.

No comments about Careers for Culture Lovers & Other Artsy Types, 3rd ed. (Careers for You Series).

No comments about Parables and Other Allegories: The Work of Melvin Charney, 1975-1990.

No comments about Imagination Becomes Reality: Part IV.

2 comments about Oceanic Art.

1. This massive, oversize, extremely weighty and well-made (Made In Italy) book is a very broad survey of so-called Oceanic Art. This genre may be defined geographically as that area surrounding and surrounded by the Southern Pacific Ocean stretching from Irian Jaya (Indonesian Half of New Guinea), the Northern and Eastern coast of Australia stretching down to New Zealand, as far East as the Easter Islands and up North and West to the Sandwich Islands, and all of the vast number of islands that dot the surface of the ocean in between.
   This is then, obviously, a huge undertaking and explains the sheer mass of this publication (along with the fact that the book's text is printed in the French, German and English languages). It also makes it inevitable that some very worthy objects will be left out or overlooked. I'll get to that but first would like to praise the author for having the foresight to place objects in the context of their cultural use, discuss the native flora and fauna (there is even a section dedicated to the ubiquitous betel nut) that go into the artwork (literally and figuratively), describe and explain the religious or secular significance of certain objects and speculate upon probable ancient migration patterns which peopled the region. There is much information here that I am certain you will be exposed to for the first time, and there is a surfeit of excellent photographic reproductions of objects and the people who created them. Because of the large scope of this survey it is likely that you will need to come back to it time and again as you make your way through the various island 'nations'. You may also wonder if, for the same reason, this book has missed anything. I think it has. For instance, I was a little disappointed to see no so-called 'Story Board' carvings from the Palau Islands. These are, as the name implies, carved pictorial representations of local legends, typically done in a single frame on a hand-carved board as long as four feet, and one foot high. There is probably a good reason for this omission, but it causes me to wonder if there are not more categories, knife sheaths, for instance, that were also left out. Still, one must trust the editorial judgment of the author if for no other reason than the overall quality of the book's content is so high that concern over possible ommissions somewhat recede into the background. At present, this book is available right here on Amazon for a ridiculously low price below the issue price. I strongly encourage anyone who collects art books to purchase this, as well as anyone who studies or is interested in the islands, people and cultures of the South Pacific, and anyone who collects books with an eye toward re-selling them for a profit as I predict that this book is one that goes into the 'rare' book category within a year or two.



2. Want to refresh your eyes amongst the visual boredom of thecity landscape? Feel like having a non-occidental approach tofigurative arts and religion? Then read this book and find the amazing collection of photographs along with a concise and effective study on representative arts in Oceania by Anthony J.P. Meyer. This edition could well be recommended as an obligatory visual encyclopedia for anyone who has read studies on art, magic and religion like that of Mircea Eliade on shamanism or J.G. Frazer's Golden Bough. As a visual artist I consider that this carefully selected collection of images is a golden mine until the present day for all creative person, like it was for cubist and surrealists long decades ago. Find a brilliant example of art and tradition that has given European painting and sculpture a new vitality and a wider perspective on Man. Sit back and enjoy a lavish design and a trustworthy source of info on Oceanic art for the demanding reader.

3 comments about Sketchbook: The Other Artwork of Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell.

1. Although I am not much of a fan of Boris from a compositional & subject posing perspective I am always excited to see the quality of line and technique he has. Once you strip away all the realistic brush and paint you can see Boris is very talented. His style of hatching and the quality of line he has in graphite and ink are super. Riding a line that is loose and tight at the same time is not easy and Boris makes it happen. Nice pieces.



2. I bought this book because I am a new fan of Boris and Julie, primarily interested in their work from an artist's standpoint, and it was more the idea of seeing their human figures in action, rather than looking at fantasy art, that got me to order. But, oh my gosh--I think I see now the attraction of fantasy art! You can feel the human spirit so strongly that it hurts. I think Boris and Julie could draw a piece of Tupperware and have it send chills down your spine.

   With "Sketchbook" don't think "unfinished art." The works on these pages are masterpieces in themselves. You feel as if you are literally watching the drawings come to life. If you have any familiarity at all with Boris and Julie's work, you'll love seeing some of their classics in early concept form. And even if you don't recognize specific works, you will nevertheless feel the passion, the vibrancy, the raw, undiluted emotion that lives in the power of their art.

   Whether or not you like the fantasy genre really isn't the issue with this book. If you do, of course, you're right in your element. But even if you don't, if you have any interest at all in the beauty of the human form, you will love this book. And if you don't appreciate the beauty of the human form, you will if you buy this book. I have a few other books by Boris and Julie, and they are all excellent. But I think this is my favorite so far.




3. I've been a big fan of boris' as long as I can remember. Ever since I picked up his book, "Fantasy Art Techniques" when I was a young boy, I've been hooked. So, when I heard of this book, "Sketchbook", I raced to pick it up. I'm pretty happy with what I've found. Which was a good supply of rough preliminary sketches, finished sketches, finished and painted works and even some life drawing aswell.

   Now, Boris' present style on the other hand, is lacking that certain something. His work seems, to me anyway, a bit too comic booky. Don't get me wrong, some of the peices are very strong, but don't compare to some of his earlier works from the 70's and early 80's. Thankfully, those earlier works can also be found in this book aswell, next to his present day peices, making it a more well rounded catalog of work.

   This is the first time I have had any exposure to Boris' wife, Julie Bell's work. Although not as good, it has a certain style of it's own and I plan on searching out more books by her in order to establish a more fair opinion.

   All in all, it's a good book, worth buying. Even if your not a fan or haven't even heard of Boris Vallejo before, and just like to look at beautiful things, this book is for you.

No comments about Edge (Dave McKean cover art) (Edge).

5 comments about A Treasury of Beaded Jewelry: Bead Stringing Patterns for All Ages.

1. A variety of patterns gives a good overview of beading and the many different looks you can achieve.



2. An excellent tool for creative beading!



3. I really liked this book. I dot this book near the beginning of my beading career and find that I still refer to it regularly to refresh my memory on beading methodology. It is an easy to follow guide that has easier projectss for beginners, as well as more time-consuming and difficult projects for the more advanced beader. I love these designs, and one design can be used over and over in different bead colors. As you become more comforatble with them, you can make your own variations and build upon what they have shown you. I definetly recommend this book to everyone interested in jewelry beading.



4. This book has easy to read diagrams. The projects start simple and expand into a more complex types of projects. (daisy chains to wide bead woven laces) Great for any beginner!



5. This is a very slender book, only 34 pages of photos and instructions. Seven pages of colored photos, including the cover, show an average of six projects per page, making a good number of projects to choose from. All of the designs use seed beads and other small beads strung on thread, with simple clasps added to the ends. Instructions are not included on how to add clasps, so you'll need to learn how to do that from another source.

   The designs include a wonderful variety of necklaces, bracelets and earrings, ranging from sweet and delicate to large, complex, and dramatic. The cover photo gives a good idea of the variety of projects inside, and even if you just find a few that you want to do, it would be worth the low price of the book.

   The instructions are okay. They are written in paragraph form, which makes it difficult to find your place again when returning to read them. I'd prefer the instructions written as Step 1, Step 2, etc. to make them easier to read, but the drawn diagrams showing how the thread passes through the beads are very good; they are large and easy to follow.

   One little problem is that none of the instructions tell you on which page to find the photo of the corresponding project, so you have to look through the book to find it. To solve this, on each instruction page I wrote the page number on which to find the appropiate photo. Otherwise, I think this is a very good investment for people who like the intricate work with seed beads.

1 comments about Doris Duke: The Southeast Asian Art Collection.

1. Gorgeous book giving a glimpse into the beauty created by (incredibly) a most tragic and materialistic woman. I hope in the not-too-distant future I will be able to visit Shangri-La.

No comments about Photography Until Now (Springs of achievement series on the art of photography).