No comments about Collage: The Unmonumental Picture.

3 comments about Come Alive!: The Spirited Art of Sister Corita.

1. Excellent book. Surprising Corita isn't better known. She was truly an inspiring artist and teacher. She and Andy Warhol worked during the same years - make your own opinions about the differences. And, his name is every where. Her's should be as well



2. The long artistic and teaching life I have been privileged to live was totally encouraged and affirmed by the existence and practice of Sister Corita as I moved from the secondary level into college teachng in the early 60's.
   This monograph celebrating her life and love of the art process is a trip back in time and tells me a surprising and intimate view of the struggles of the Church during that period plus a view of Corita's indomitable and inventive artistic production. The reproductions are many and varied, the writing equally appreciative and in depth descriptive. The end of the book supports a wonderful affectionate and supportive summary of this woman's courage and intelligence by her friend Daniel Berrigan.



3. I haven't gotten through reading about Sister Corita, but I'm already completely inspired by her. Her art was ahead of its time, and although many of the topics were religious, they were often ideas anyone can relate to. Her use of current events in culture and politics was applied to her prints in such beautiful ways. I highly recommend this book to any graphic designer, printmaker, or artist if you want to add something different to your bookshelf.

No comments about Mosaic Magic.

5 comments about Understanding Illuminated Manuscripts: A Guide to Technical Terms (Looking At...).

1. Explains in lay terms the processes used in illuminated medieval manuscripts. Still a bit complicated, but a good resource.



2. This publication using a lexiconary form lavishly displays an art form too long ignored. Extraordinary effort and expense has created a book that shows and explains the accomplishments of a lost art. Any bibliophile, any artist will devour this book.



3. I used this book and the Christopher De Hamel book while I was taking a graduate course on Illuminated Manuscripts. The information was indispensable for the entirety of the course, but it also helped me in future courses I took. It is wonderful to find an academic book that is fun to read! I would heartily recommend it to anyone, and especially to students who are studying manuscripts or merely the art history of the period! It is a most worthwhile investment!



4. This slim volume by Michelle Brown is an excellent resource for anyone who is interested in the study of books and manuscripts (codicology). In a succinct dictionary format, Brown gives definitions of all of the major terms that may give trouble to someone visiting a museum or reading a work by such major writers in the field as Chris DeHamel. Suitable as both a textbook and a companion to books on manuscripts, this book is nearly indispensible to the beginner and the intermediate in allowing some understanding into the complex technical and art-historical vocabulary used in the field.



5. This little volume provides brief definitions of all the important phrases and terms used in the study of illuminated manuscripts including forms, techniques, themes, and periods.

   Great for understanding the differences between an historiated initial and an inhabited initial - or between an antiphonal and a gradual.

   Most of the representative images are in color and are well chosen to illustrate the definitions. Perhaps their only drawback is their small size due to the size limitations of the book itself.

   A great companion while reading to "Medieval Illuminators & their Methods of Work" by Jonathan J.G. ALexander or "A History of Illuminated Manuscripts" by Christopher De Hamel.

4 comments about Mexican Tiles: Color, Style, Design.

1. I'm in the process of building on the Maya Riviera so this isn't a book read for fun. This is real research looking for real ideas. Building in Spanish Colonial style can't be done without some incorporation of Mexican Tiles. This book is basically 90% pictures and 10% background and history of Mexican Tiles. The background write-up is excellent and gives good history of Talavera and Talavera-Style Tiles. Then it's on to different uses, floors, kitchens, bathrooms, walls and stairs, and patios and gardens.
   
   I'm very simple in the colors I like in homes so these tiles can be "over the top". This book has a lot of these type pictures. It has more tile usage than I've ever seen on exteriors. The kitchen section has huge tile usage but I've seen more attractive usage in other books.
   
   Overall, I did not get any ideas I will definitely use but I did get a different perspective on tile usage. There are definitely pictures I will take back to discuss with my architect and designer which may be incorporated. This book can be consumed in an hour. But it may take many hours of review going over the pictures again and again.



2. I love Mexican tiles but I felt the book was a bit of a let down. The pictures were a bit small and there wasn't enough information about tilemaking in the book. I think the book would have been much more effective in a larger format where the tiles would have been more impressive. There are some wonderful talavera tile websites on the net for anyone who wants a better overview.



3. Book has great ideas. Wish it had been hardback. Book binding, does not want to hold together, considering the wear and tear it shall receive. This is also a great book.



4. After I bought Masako Takahasi and her husband Tony Cohen's book "Mexicolor", I thought no other book I purchased would EVER compare to that experience. When I discovered "Mexican Tiles", I opened it with fear and trepidation, hoping against all hope, yet hardly daring to believe that it could be even half as good as their first.

   But this book is AWESOME!! I think I finally figured out why, after reading Tony Cohen's book "On Mexican Time": these people simply ADORE Mexico, and it comes through in everything they do. All of the wonder and breathless anticipation and teary-eyed beauty that I feel and am so hopelessly unqualified to express when I am either in Mexico or adding to my collection of artesania, Tony vividly portrays in his prose and Masako captures with her camera.

   As for subject matter, I LOVE Talavera tiles, Talavera pottery, Talavera ANYTHING, because they are so INCREDIBLY Mexican, and this book is simply PAGE after GORGEOUS PAGE of Talavera-lined kitchens, bathrooms, stairs, floors...you name it, it's tiled. If you at all appreciate ethnic interior design or Mexican handicrafts, this is an AWESOME book!!!

5 comments about Collage : A New Approach.

1. Small with a lot of information about working without liquid adhesives.Helpful info. about presentation and archival concerns.



2. I have just finished reading "Collage: A New approach". It it quite impressively well-written. The information is concise and easily understood. I appreciate that the author didn't waste my time attempting to educate me on the principles of design. I didn't have to muddle through project instructions to find the information I was looking for.
   
   This book is very informative and quite literally, a time-saver. It is a useful tool for beginners that wish to grow into the craft of collage. Experienced collage artists will find useful information regarding incorporating archival materials as well.
   
   This book is exactly what the title promises it to be. In addition to being easy to follow, the appendix and index are both packed with valuable information that I will use again and again. Thanks to Jonathan Talbot for speaking to his audience with grace and style, knowing all the while that we are intelligent artists hungry for some "cut to the quick" information. BRAVO!



3. Concise small paperback detailing the relatively easy way
   to achieve impressive results with collage projects using items available at most craft stores. The information and tips are
   all there without miscellany added to fatten the book.



4. Having done many fine art collage pieces employing the usual method of fusing artifacts while still wet, I was intrigued when I saw the title which includes the words "Collage Without Liquid Adhesives." To me this is partially deceptive, and I wonder if this statement should not be used in the title. You still have to coat your artifacts with a wet acrylic medium the usual way. The difference here is you let it dry and then fuse the artifact to the surface with a heating iron (using a silicone coated paper as a buffer to prevent any heat or burn damage), bonding one coat of medium to another. This is highly important because you can assemble your collage without taking it apart and forgetting what was supposed to go where. As an aside, I often use a digital camera to record the setup and use the LCD window on the camera to help me remember, scrolling and zooming around the image. There is mention of other methods to attach items to your collage, like screwing them in, sewing, nailing, etc. For a small book you get lots of great tips and ideas for proper execution of assembling collages, and opinions and facts on the best mediums and supports to use.
   
   If you're a beginner you will get a lot out of this book technique-wise, but you may not be ready for further chapters on employing higher quality materials and archival considerations because this involves greater financial expense, an issue most students are not yet equipped to deal with. I think this book is geared for the more advanced and serious collage artist, for an experienced artist who is interested in creating the best they are capable of--imagery with integrity and finesse. For me this means you must also incorporate the use of archival materials, and employ them from the bottom up. The supports, mediums and artifacts must be stable. You must integrate methods and materials that will better withstand fading and disintegration so your clients and conservators won't be cursing you 10 years down the road. This is critical nowadays because marketing and manufacturing is not interested in longevity anymore. This book explains how to deal with this significant problem. As another aside, you can now get printers that use pigmented inks, not dyes. This is great because you can now scan a magazine image and print it out on 100% rag paper and have an image ready for collage that is designed to last 80 to 100 years. Going further you can then spray the finished collage with that print out with a ultraviolet ray protective spray and probably get some more decades use out of it. If it's on paper and can be covered in a frame with glass you could even use UV glass and still push the longevity. Several generations down the road your future family will say "This is one amazing collage our great, great, great grandparent left for us."



5. It is informative about supplies, most of which may be purchased from him, a little to self serving,...a man with great talent. I wish he had included examples of his work, which is beautiful and amazing due to its size.I feel that examples of it would have enhanced his book.

5 comments about Layers: Inspired Collage for Paper Projects With Meaning.

1. Had I been able to browse this book, I definitely would not have purchased it. The title is very misleading. For those that are interested in learning collage techniques, don't waste your money on this book. Instead purchase Collage Discovery Workshop by Claudine Hellmuth and Artist Trading Card Workshop by Berlin. Both books are loaded with very cool techniques and awesome photography. I've bought and used both of them and would rate both 5 stars.



2. "Layers" is beautifully written and illustrated. Shari put her heart and soul into this wonderful book of crafts. I hope she will write more!



3. Shari's book is simply amazing! She uses so many different elements to create wonderful pieces of art! I love how she has put so much of herself into this book. It's like I know her!
   
   Many of the items in her book, I have in my craft room. ANd I just love how she uses found objects in her project to create that collagy look to them. Makes me want to go out now to find items to use on my own projects! Although, I bet I can find the found objects in our garage right now!
   
   Thank you for creating such a wonderful book!



4. Shari Carroll's book is a unique approach to collaging her life experiences. Rather than putting them all on pages in a scrapbook, she has chosen many creative objects to present them. There are so many, but some of them are chipboard made into a chalkboard, old electrical outlets to make accordian picture frames, matchstick boxes to make a collapsing case(template included), wire screen to make a booklet, a darling door hanging made out of chipboard circles, and brown paper bags to make a booklet. Of course, all of these are collaged with bought and found items.
   As a crafter, I have the majority of the materials needed: papers, glues, brads, eyelets, stickers, all the tools except the Japanese screw punch(but I do have an awl), buttons, etc. Most people should have access to the found objects needed, such as brown paper bags, matchstick boxes, old electrical outlets, wire, old books, washers, old door knobs, etc. I do not have a wine case, but I do have some old wooden cannisters which would work for that project. With some creativity, many of these projects could be adapted to meet the artist's needs. I would have to buy the chalkboard spray but seldom do I start any new project without having to buy something.
   As far as collaging with meaning, everything in this book that is collaged has deep meaning for the author. I love how she shares this meaning with the reader. Furthermore, many of the objects made can also be given as gifts to family and friends to honor them for being a part of her life. Kudos to Shari Carroll for a book well done.



5. I think this is a fantastic book for the beginning to above average crafter/artist. Of course if you are professional or very seasoned artist you probably already know the things in this book, so why would you be buying it? You'd be writing your own. For those of us budding artists that like or need inspiration and new ideas, this is the book to get!

4 comments about Crystalline Glazes (Ceramics Handbooks).

1. Almost all of the glaze recipes and firing schedules designed for very high-fire kilns (cone 10 and above). More information on achieving the intended effects at stoneware temperatures (cone 5-7) would have been more useful to me.



2. this is the most comprehensive book I've found. It has firing techniques, lots of glaze information and the technical information you need without it being overwhelming.



3. This is a well written book dealing with crystalline glazes. If you have tried to find material on crystalline glazes you will realize how scarce it is. I have tried four of her glaze formulas and followed her instruction on firing.

   Results: Two terrific glazes, one very nice glaze, and one which remained underdeveloped.




4. the shapes are thrown, the chemicals are here, the infinite switch is ready, the cone is in the box, then, one more time, i read the book. all systems are go and we push the button. will write more later, am know watching the pyrometer.

2 comments about Wild Tiles: Creative Mosaic Projects for Your Home.

1. I agree with the other reviewer, this book certainly didn't showcase "wild" mosaics. There are good basic tips on how to do mosaics but the actual projects are just so so....nothing exciting. I really can't recommend this book,the author seems like a nice person but this book isn't a must have by any means,



2. This is just another "beginner" book - though a bit above average for that category. From the title, I was expecting maybe at least one unique idea for inspiration, so that was a disappointment.

2 comments about The Art of Handbuilt Ceramics.

1. Loved this book. It has nice pictures and good information. I am glad I have it in my collection.



2. The book was geared toward those without much working knowledge of handbuilding. The photos were very nice, and included various different ways of approaching handbuilding, so could serve to inspire someone try new approaches.