5 comments about Handbuilt Tableware: Making Distinctive Plates, Bowls, Mugs, Teapots and More.

1. This is a terrific book with really detailed instructions for building one-of-a-kind pottery. I believe that the ideas generated by the author, along with her instructions will help any beginning potter to put some finesse into their pottery. What it does for someone like me, a potter with 16 years experience, is to give me a little dose of inspiration since I know most of the techniques. However, don't pick up this book and expect to become an expert handbuilding potter.



2. This a a great resource for the functional potter or ceramic artists. Full of images and inspiration, as well as detailed inspructions of many items. A must have.



3. Good pottery book for hand building. Some interesting and workable ideas.



4. The technical information in this book is excellent: well presented, illustrated and explained. While I agree with the other reviewer that most of the actual projects shown are not fitting with my taste, the ideas and techniques presented have proven helpful to me. I also found myself wishing that the cover art was included in the how-to projects (which it is not). My only other criticism is that darting is not covered, but great examples of it are, so the reader never gets the explanation of how such forms are achieved.
   
   Overall, this is one of the best technique books I've come across. I would recommend it, especially for the hobby or beginning potter. If you have a formal education in the ceramic arts you will know most of these tips already and find the suggested projects lacking in sophistication. It may however spark some new ideas for your own work.



5. I was misled by the cover of this book thinking that the tableware inside would be clean, simple and elegant. I couldn't be more wrong. I find many of the pieces featured looking weird and overly-decorated. Maybe that's what the author means by "distinctive". This is my greatest misgiving about the book. Otherwise, the author did quite a good job explaining the basics of pottery (with helpful tips along the way), guiding the reader on how to make tableware to suit the four seasons, and demonstrating the surface decoration styles of four different artists. There is a glossary at the end of the book and appendices detailing cone-firing ranges and glaze formulas.

1 comments about Collector's Guide to Homer Laughlin's Virginia Rose: Identification & Values (Collector's Guide to).

1. This is the most useful guide to collectable china that I have found. It is not only an exhaustive reference guide to Homer Laughlin's "Virginia Rose", but provides much information about other types of china as well. This book provides details and information that you can't find elsewhere.

No comments about Jorge Galindo: Elixir.

1 comments about A Collector's History of English Pottery.

1. This is another superb example of this knowledgable author's work from one of the leading antiques reference works publishers, the Antique Collectors' Club. Following the path of the fascinating development of English pottery from before the Bronze and Iron Ages through to the productions of the early Staffordshire potteries and thence to the end of the Twentieth Century we feel well acquainted with all the main branches of English ceramics by the end of our journey. Illustrations are plentiful and of excellent quality making this book a pleasure to handle and 'dip into'. There is plenty of space devoted to the later decades of the last century dealing as the author does with the Leach familly, Lucie Rie and Hans Coper to name just a few out of many artist potters. I was surprised and delighted to see illustrated (page 130) a mug from the obscure Villa Pottery, Cobridge. I have a very similar example in my collection. Many authors would have shown an example from a more well-known pottery such as Masons. This book cannot be recommended too highly. You will not be disappointed.

5 comments about Tom of Finland: The Art of Pleasure (Midi Series).

1. I hunted for this book when it was sold out everywhere, finally found a copy and was disappointed. The content of the book was awesome, but the pulpy paper it was printed on was a letdown. I never did buy it for that very reason.



2. This review will be very short. If you fancy the art and eroticism of "Tom of Finland", then this is the QUINTESSENTIAL collection to own. IT IS JUST PLAIN AWESOME.



3. Now THIS is how the art of Tom of Finland SHOULD be represented...in a volume large enough for us to appreciate the great detail in his work. UNFORTUNATELY, the people at TASCHEN and the Tom of Finland Foundation found it necessary to re-release this wonderful volume in a SMALLER, cheaper version, and that trend has only gotten worse with the recent release of Tom's "COMIC COLLECTION" - which I reviewed negatively only to see that entire title WITHDRAWN from Amazon in less that 24 hours after my review appeared...so to read THAT review, you'll have to click "SEE ALL MY REVIEWS".
   
   Isn't CENSORSHIP, especially in the Erotic Art World, a real PITY! -- Click on "SEE ALL MY REVIEWS"



4. I have owned this book for several years now and never tire of it. Yes, it's over the top and exaggerated, but that's the fun of it. It's hot and worth every penny. Skip the mini version, and get the full-size, hardcover version - this is Tom of Finland, after all!



5. When I first discovered this book in a London bookshop, I decided at once that I needed to own it. It's large, it's bulky, but it's beautiful. It needs the large pages to illustrate the finest examples of Tom's works. As an artist myself, who learnt a lot from Tom's unique techniques, I appreciate what a fantastic collection of art, both colour and black and white, has been compiled into this collection. But it's not just pictures; there's an insight into the man himself, a delightful tribute to the Master of Homoerotic Art. This volume is a great tribute to Tom and a valuable tool for the new breed of erotic artists, like myself, waiting for recognition.

1 comments about Victor Victorians.

1. Greatly disappointed. The quality of the reproduced photography is poor but given the years and equipment available at the time produced this is to be expected. Not at all what I expected with regard to the vintage photographic full nudity available from this era. Early in this century prior to all the restrictions placed on photography of the fifties and early sixties this book fails to feature the quantity of the male frontal form anticipated. If given the opportunity to review the contents of this publication I would not have purchased this book. I do not recommend this publication. Any true collector of vintage male photography will regret this purchase. A waste of money.

1 comments about Hiroshige Prints: 24 Art Cards (Card Books).

1. I bought this book of postcards years ago. I liked them so much, I put 6 of the cards into frames in my dining room. While all of the cards did not seem as lovely to me as the 6 I chose, those 6 were worth the price of the book. These are wonderful reproductions of the work of Ando Hiroshige. If you're a fan of Japanese painting, you're going to love this book of postcards.

2 comments about You Don't Have to Fuck People Over to Survive.

1. The powerful graphics and engaging text make this book a "must have" for everyone who knows who Peter Plate is, who has listened to Nick Cave or been to a Fugazi show. Excellent in every way.



2. _You Don't Have To Fuck People Over To Survive_ is a gripping collection of images, comic strips, and visual history. Both political and deeply personal at the same time, Tobocman takes a stand on Mumia Abu Jamal, Israel's military-industrial complex, relationships and the world of bosses, bastards and bohemians that populate New York City. The words aren't as important though, one of Seth's panels would be as powerful pasted up on a shattered wall in Belfast or New Delhi as it would in your hands. And he's right you know, you don't have to fuck people over to survive. Or yourself.

No comments about The Image in Dispute: Art and Cinema in the Age of Photography.

5 comments about The Art of Paper Collage.

1. I bought this book because I have been working with collages for about 5 years now and I am finally going to send my work in for publication. The book has many Biblical themes, which may turn some people off, but the work in it is beautiful. The author is very concise on what she shows you and I came away with many ideas that I wouldn't have thought of. She shows several techiques and many paper ideas to use. If you are a beginning collage artist, you will learn many things. If you are an intermediate collage artist, like me, you will get much inspiration from the techiniques and the collages themselves. A definate must have in any collage artist's library.



2. A great introduction to the world of collage for beginners, and an inspiration for professionals. An easy-to-use resource with lots of information and pictures so there's no guesswork. If you think the art of collage is just a bunch of cutting and pasting, you are in for a real treat!



3. I love bold use of color and texture and this book has ample examples of artwork using plenty of both. The collage techniques covered include deckling paper edges, paper layering, assemblage, making handmade rubber stamps, using dry pigments, the use of color in composition, montage, nonobjective collage, figurative collage (using collage to create portraits), photo transfer collage, faux paste paper, faux lace embellishment, paper casting found objects, and recycling paintings in collage. Under unique collage making materials she covers webbing spray, mica flakes and granules, crackle medium, mica-based dry powdered pigments, glitter spray, crystal gel, and mica tiles. The last section of the book is dedicated to showcasing the artwork of 11 other artists (although examples of each method and collage technique are hightlighted by her own artwork throughout the book). This is a great book and I thoroughly recommend it!



4. Collaging is a soothing form of self-expression. It doesn't have to be a perfect work of art, because as with any craft or art you create, it's meaning is personal. If you are interested in finding out about collage, this book is a good place to start. Though the instructions are vague in places, the general intent is clear enough to allow anyone to express themselves through this art-form.

   Susan Pickering Rothamel's personal style leans toward the biblical, but that doesn't mean it's something that you must incorporate in to your work. Her collages are beautiful to look at and hold meaning for her! As a bonus, there is a gallery of other collage artists at the end of the book so that you can see for yourself the difference in styles.

   The photographs are great and the supplies are things that you can pick up in any art supply store, even Michael's or Hobby Lobby. Don't pass up this book as a novice guide to collaging. The art presented here will inspire and delight you.




5. Being new to Paper Collage, I found this book inspiring but I'm a fan of Susan anyway. It did lack some details in certain areas which was a bit frustrating but for me it was a great stepping stone to better things. The biblical themes are only Susan's interpritation of things - it allows you to do your own thing with a gentle push in the right direction.

   It does have a marketing angle but its not over the top like some I could mention.

   I will certainly refer to the Art of Paper Collage for a long time yet. A good first book for the beginner.