1 comments about Making Mosaics (Step-by-Step Crafts).

1. I just finished the book displayed on the cover. This is a great book for all levels. It contains about 15 mosaics with directions on how to make them. There are also pictures of beautiful mosaics.

3 comments about Alazar's Book of Bondage Vol 1.

1. Bearing an uncanny resemblance to the Vargas' drawings that were showcased in Playboy, Alazar brings an entertaining and intriguing presentation of the beauty of the female form in bondage. The artwork is plausible and conveys a sense of intimate knowledge that can be derived only by first-hand experience. The restraint techniques are sound and fire the imagination. The mood of the models, whether actually posed or imagined, is palpable, like a painting that one gets lost in the longer one stares at it. Truly a pleasure to behold and appreciate, Alazar's work is arousingly delightful.



2. I give this a three because it is a plain, thin art book. I had expected it to have more color illustrations, but the only color images in the book are on the cover and back. The book DOES advertise having only pencil illustrations, so I didn't feel cheated. The positions don't vary much and the cartoons are mediocre, in my opinion.
   
   I suggest purchasing a gentleman's magazine, or buy another book with your money.



3. A collection of black and white drawings of women in bondage (nude, clothed, most in distress, out in public, in private). Interesting collection of pencil? drawings. The cover and back are in color and show how much better this book could have been if all the pictures, or at least more of the pictures had been in color. The pictures are ok as black and white drawings, but some of them have been taken a step further from viewing ease some odd shading choices. Some pictures are very heavily shaded against a very dark/shaded background.

5 comments about XXX: 30 Porn-Star Portraits.

1. I think this collection of photos is just great. You get to see the two sides of the adult stars. Their real selves and they stage persona. It's a wonderful contrast.
   The pictures are wonderfully done and the models look great. I highly recommend this book.



2. This project was interesting, and the photography is good but not moving or exceptional. The essays are very diverse and I can honestly say I read it for the articles. [grin] I want his octabox and large-format camera, though. It shows the character that only these tools can bring, which is lost on the pro-am photographers who are not at this level.
   
   I bought it as "bargain bin" expecting it to be marked or remaindered in some way, but it arrived wrapped and unmarred in any obvious way, making it an amazing value for the price. Your mileage may vary.



3. The photographs reminicent of Richard Avedon are excellent -- infact all photos are often framed like those of Avedon -- with the negative holders shown (albeit, they are digitally overlaid). The book also includes a collection of essays and diptychs of men and women (who happen to be porn stars). Each subject consists of a clothed portrait, followed by a nude photo (full frontals to 1/2 upper body shots). The concept of a pair of portraits, one clothed and one nude is facinating regardless of whether or not they are porn stars.
   
   The book also includes essays on the subject of porngraphy -- some written by [...], mainstream actors, porns star themselves etc on the subject of pornography. Most of the writings are uninteresting and I believe are included in the book to "legitimize" the portfolio so that this coffee table book can be taken as a collection of "serious" photography.
   
   I wish the photographer, Timothy Greenfield-Sanders had (ahem) "the balls" to simply captioned his work with a brief title rather than boring pseudo-intellectual babble in order to substatiate his work.
   
   More interesting than the essays are the short concise bios written by the pornstar themselves at the end of the book.



4. Pornstars as people thats a first. Instead of erotic shots Timothy Greenfield Sanders chooses to show the inner beauty of both male and female straight and gay adult performers. I also recommend the dvd and cd soundtrack as both are excellent



5. Timothy Greenfield-Sanders' book is more an art than a true 'Bare all' book. I say that due to the quality lighting and camera work -which is impeccable.
   
   Shooting nudes is the photography world is difficult - at best. The problem is everyone is different; Not to mention everyone wants to see the proofs before they are published. Timothy Greenfield-Sanders' taste is beyond quality. The prints are easy on the eyes; simple, digestible, and makes no mockery of the patient. It seems the doctor took good time to both adjust and arrange the patients. The end result is both incredible and very impressive. The photographed look as easy, open, and inviting as we've never seen them before; and that is the seller!
   
   This book is a winner - not to mention some interesting coffee table conversation! You'll be in charge of that one...

5 comments about The Art of Pebble Mosaics.

1. This book is short and to the point on the do's and dont's of pebble mosaic. A great resource if you're looking for instruction and a direction with this technique. I recommend it.



2. Not only did I learn alot about pebble mosaics, the photos are excellent for reference and design possibilities. This book is very inspirational visually and written very well.



3. The book is very helpful. Goes into detail on the how to's of making a mosaic. Lots of nice pictures of mosaics already done and in use. Several smaller drawings to use as ideas or maybe copy and enlarge. This is one book that will be put to use. Many
   projects to help spark the imagination.



4. Of the three books I bought on pebble mosaics this one was the best. There is a history of "floor" mosaics, a detailed discussion, with drawings, of the shape and placement of stones, a lesson on drawing designs to scale, site excavation and preparation. The two step by step projects, a "threshold" mosaic and a dining patio, are both beautiful and do-able. The mosaic on the cover is so complex I wondered if this book would be too advanced for a beginner, it turned out to be very clear and understandable. I'm off to the river to pick some stones!



5. This is a great book with ideas about what you can do with pebbles used to make designs in your garden. Many gardening books are very much alike, but this one is different. I very much enjoyed it and hope to make my own pebble mosaic soon.

No comments about Paint On Paper.

3 comments about Luc Tuymans (Contemporary Artists).

1. good quality
   moderate in its charges
   its price in Guangzhou academy of fine arts is rmb 375,in amazon just rmb 265,make me happy



2. This book on Luc Tuymans is an excellent introduction to the strange world of this internationally reknowned Belgian Painter. What is it that stirs up the bizarre fascination of cognoscenti for this artist? At the very least, it is attributable to the deeply psychological expression that this artist conjures from his sometimes murky palatte, as well as his subject matter. He addresses these ideas in relation to living as an artist in this modern world and a Freudian psychoanalysis of history that seems all to prevalent in this information age; including, everything from the New York art world as evidenced in his painting "Heritage", which alludes to Jasper Johns flag painting and the Holocaust in paintings like "Our New Quarters". This artist also takes these issues to subjects like the body, which through his investigation and isolation of its various parts he formulates the queerness that follows a banal rendition of the functions of that space. In addtion, as a psychoanalytical historian this artist attempts to fuse the mundanity of the conscious world with the fanatsy of the world of dream, which always seems to be off center, and could be related to the work of Alex Katz and Robert Gober. At any rate, this book provides an excellent insight into the world created by Luc Tuymans, and comes highly recommneded by art lovers and aficianados alike.



3. The illustrations in the book are very fine. The interview with the artist gives more insight into his work than any of the writings in the book including his own. There is a good deal of critical double talk and bullshit, but biographical information, and useful details seem to slip through as well.

No comments about The Complete Book of Mosaics.

2 comments about Alazar's Book of Bondage Vol 3.

1. Bearing an uncanny resemblance to the Vargas' drawings that were showcased in Playboy, Alazar brings an entertaining and intriguing presentation of the beauty of the female form in bondage. The artwork is plausible and conveys a sense of intimate knowledge that can be derived only by first-hand experience. The restraint techniques are sound and fire the imagination. The mood of the models, whether actually posed or imagined, is palpable, like a painting that one gets lost in the longer one stares at it. Truly a pleasure to behold and appreciate, Alazar's work is arousingly delightful.



2. Alazar's Book of Bondage is back with its third volume of decadence as buxom, bountiful women are bound for the viewers pleasure in this modern twist on old-style pin-up artistry. Each volume seems to get better and better and the women more gorgeous and, not coincidently, more helpless in the hands of this masterful artist. The amusing and outrageous captions for each piece serve to make them even more tantalizing.
   
   There's Audrey who thought the pizza was 30 minutes or free, only to find herself served up to the delivery man. There's Daphne who helps out the local scout troop as the troop leaders find another use for their ropes. Jen finds herself bent over and tied at the knees...seems that Jack is in one of his moods. Roxy doesn't allow kissing on the first date...other than that, anything goes, including being bound and submissive! His parents think 21 year old Tommy is too old for a babysitter...you can't blame Tommy when you set your eyes on his "sitter".
   
   Yes the book is sinful but it's also quite playful as well. Alazar and the women are having a good time and it really shows in the work. These women are curvaceous, sexy, but also pretty darn willing as well. It's another visual treat in this always fantastic series. SQP does it again!
   
   Reviewed by Tim Janson

2 comments about Mermaid Song Volume One.

1. What a great book! excellent paints in a full color quality; I had all the mermaids books collection and this is the first volume in color. I enjoyed all the pages and I hope the second part will be as beautiful like this one. Many of the illustrations are like some of the first four mermaids books (but now in color) and this has new ones. Thank you amazon, I made a very good purchase.



2. Mermaid Song: Desires of the Deep is one of the latest, hot new releases from Sal Quartuccio Productions. 64 pages in full color of the most beautiful creatures of the sea that you have ever feasted your eyes on, brought to you by some of the hottest fantasy and pin-up artists in the business today. Mermaids are not a new subject for the guys over at SQP. They've already have given us four volumes in the Gallery Girls Mermaids series. Those were black & white volumes and color truly allows these talented artists to show their stuff.
   
   Leading things off with a mesmerizing cover is perhaps my favorite SQP regular, Arantza. I'm honestly not sure if there is a finer artist working today in this medium or any other than her...plus she's a hell of a nice person to boot. That cover is absolutely riveting. The softness of her work is what always catches my eye.
   
   Joining Arantza in this volume is Fastner & Larson, Bruce Colero, Pelaez, James Hottinger, David Dunstan, Malachi Maloney, Ken Barr, Maxx Marshall, Daniel Horne, and many more. If you're an SQP fanatic like myself, you know from this list of names that you are in for a treat with many eclectic styles of work.
   
   Bruce Colero is one of the most stunning digital artists I've ever seen. Colero's "Living the Fantasy" shows a lovely woman wearing a makeshift mermaid bottom torso and lying on a beach. Arantza's "Midnight Surf" is a hauntingly beautiful piece as a mermaid soaks up the rough seas underneath a full moon.
   
   Daniel Horne's "The jersey Mermaid" gives us an enticing blonde mermaid posing on the Jersey shore. Fastner & Larson's "Catch & Release" features their trademark playful humor as a mermaid has captured an impish fisherman. Dave Dunstan's "Hook, Line, and Swinger" is another playful piece as a mermaid is tempted by a fishing lure.
   
   I absolutely loved this new book from SQP. The art is some of the best I've seen from them!
   
   REVIEWED BY TIM JANSON

No comments about Exhibition 36: A Gallery Of Mixed-Media Inspiration.