1 comments about The Art of Caretta.

1. The naughty, yet playful art of Italian artist Fernando Caretta takes center stage in the latest release from Sal Quatuccio Productions. This first collection of the artist's is sure to be a treat for those unfamiliar with his work. It's not easy to describe Caretta's art although I think Norman Rockwell meets Joe Pekar would be a pretty good attempt. Like Pekar, Caretta's women have a more cartoonish, animated, and innocent look to them with their wide, watery eyes and demure expressions. Yet the paintings express that Rockwellian sense of humor and slice of life, albeit with far more sexiness and eroticism that Ol' Norman would ever dream of...
   
   Caretta's women are sexy but have an almost child-like flair to them with their naiveté, although one gets the impression that despite appearances, they are always firmly in control of every situation. Rather than the photo-realism of many modern day pin-up artists, Caretta goes for brassy, bold colors and his women have supple, ample curves, particularly in their rear ends. Rarely has pin-up art been this sexy and amusing all in one package.
   
   Some great examples of the humorous side of Caretta's art include "Tempting Fate" where a priest is distracted by the derriere of one cute church-goer in her tight slacks; and then Santa gets the present he always wanted in the form of a cute little redhead dressed in a mini-skirt Santa outfit; and a sexy ballerina has just given a memorable performance of Swan Lake...sans her panties, much to the overwhelming appreciation of the men in the audience.
   
   Cheeky, sexy, naughty, and funny...all appropriate ways to describe "The Art of Caretta, Hard Candy, a new 48 page collection from SQP in full-color. Get this one!
   
   Reviewed by Tim Janson

1 comments about Eye Magic: Visual Trickery in Art.

1. This title includes some very fine examples of illusion and optical pattern art. There are also some separate pieces that are stored within the book that can be manipulated or moved to create illusions. Some of the pieces and movable parts of the book I find too fragile to allow on the bookshelf in my elementary classroom, but for individual children, it is a fascinating study.

No comments about Decorative Tile Designs CD-ROM and Book (Full Colour Electronic Design).

5 comments about McCoy Pottery: Collector's Reference & Value Guide Featuring the Top 100 Findables (Mccoy Pottery Collector's Reference and Value Guide).

1. This book has many nicely done photos and includes brief information concerning the individual pieces. A good thumbnail guide to McCoy pottery. I would however recommend that you purchase volums #1 & 2, unless you are well versed in McCoy, before you buy this one. I am a beginner when it comes to McCoy and I was looking for more history then I found in this volume.



2. The book had the information that I was wanting and much more. I recommend this to anyone who is interesting in collecting pottery or who is interested in being able to recognize valuable pottery pieces for resale.



3. A must have book for any true Mccoy collector. A lot of true Mccoy out there that is not marked Mccoy and the opposite which is not the real Mccoy.



4. While the book has beautiful photos, it is hard to use as a reference. Unless you know what the piece is exactly it is very difficult to locate in the book.



5. The authors are fitting and devoted source whose familiarity and love about McCoy Pottery shine through. Every collector of McCoy Pottery should and MUST have this book. This book is aimed at all levels of collectors. It has the wealth of information needed to help beginners make sense of things that may initially seem confusing. With its color photographs, lists prices, and careful organization this book will be of use to collectors and buyers in need of a general pricing guide. In light of the fact that there are so few books on McCoy Pottery I am grateful to the authors for their effort and dedication. Thank you!

3 comments about Collector's Guide to Made in Japan, Book 2: Identification and Values (Collector's Guide to Made in Japan Ceramics).

1. 
   I collect older (collectible) MADE IN JAPAN items and therefore I have quite a few books on the subject. This book is not complete but quite helpful. Photos are nice.
   
   Many different volumes have been written on this subject. Infact, I own 3 other books on this subject.
   
   When "Made in Japan" collectibles were issued there were sooooo many different items sold, that it would be impossible to include all of them in just one book. The author tried and did a good job though.



2. Carole Bess White has put together an exhaustive reference work on Japanese ceramics from the early 20th century to today. Her extensive research really pays off in this book, crammed full of photos of all types.

   Bess covers everything from ash trays to water sets, candy dishes to salt & pepper sets, Satsuma to souvenir plates. I especially like the many photos of various backstamps (marks) she provides. The book has over 250 pages of photos, and includes catalog pages from current novelty producers. If you're interested in collectible ceramics "Made in Japan", don't hesitate to buy this book!




3. Book #2 is every bit as good as the first one. NO REPEATS !... and new information on the companies that made these delightful pieces. Color photos, marks and all the information you need. Ms. Whites books are getting like potato chips to me.. you can't have just one!

2 comments about Micromosaics: The Gilbert Collection.

1. Finally! Finally, there is a book on Micromosaics, and what a wonderful book! Prior to the publication of Jeanette Hanisee Gabriel's masterful research job, there have been no books available to the collector of Micromosaics or for anyone who wants to read about a little-mentioned, and fading art. And who better to write the book then Ms. Gabriel who has been Sir Arthur Gilbert's Private Curator since 1994. Sir Arthur Gilbert's collection which now resides at Somerset House in London can only be equaled by the collections of The Vatican Museum in Rome and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg.

   There are a number of books that cover the vast and impressive Gilbert Collection: "Gold Boxes", "Monumental Silver", "Portrait Miniatures in Enamel," "Gold and Silver," "Hardstones" and now "Micromosaics." As I happily have the other books in my library - I can honestly say that the micromosaic book must have been the most difficult and yet it is extremely comprehensive. Ms. Hanisee's scholarly work on "The Gilbert Collection: Hardstones", must have been a bit easier to write as there is so much information on the art of Pietra Dura and Hardstone. Micromosaics is another ball of wax as so little was written - and I'm sure if it was to be had - Ms. Gabriel uncovered the information.

   The Appendix has a fascinating section written by Professor Massimo Alfieri "New Notes on Giacomo Raffaelli and Michelangelo Barberi" two of the leading Master Mosaicists of the 18th and early 19th century ---- fascinating. It takes you to the time of the workshops, with letters, sales receipts, drawings and the like. Not only revealing, but just plain fun for devotees of the period. One can also find a section on techniques and materials used in the making of these compelling masterful and minutely executed works of art.

   Seeing the fabulous color plates on almost every page, the items in the collection, one finds themselves rubbing their eyes in bewilderment over the artistry of these rare and intricate pieces. The footnotes are so interesting and well-written that they are a book within themselves, and my only wish was for a third hand to mark the place as I turned from text to illustration to footnote and back to text. In many books one tends to skip a lot of the footnotes, unless they pertain to a particular interest -- but Ms. Gabriel has added fascinating information and I told myself it was worth the digital exercise to read each and every one.

   Lastly - Jeanette Gabriel has masterfully included very detailed Biographies of the known artists of the time and the literature connected with these artists; a Glossary - with full descriptions; a seven page Bibliography; Exhibition Histories, and an extremely well-written Index.

   "The Gilbert Collection: Micromosaics" may look like a sumptuous coffee table book of 310 pages (which it is:), but it is definitely not fluff and mirrors -- it is a serious and fascinating work which should included in any library of Decorative Arts.

   Obviously - I think it's just great, I thank Ms. Gabriel, and I give it 5 stars.

   Margot Conte




2. This is a beautiful and informative book with insights into historic and technical aspects of micromosaic provided by the leading authority on this art form. Beautiful close up photographs reveal the intricate details of these little treasures. This book is a must have for micromosaic and decorative arts enthusiasts and a beautiful addition to any library.

2 comments about Shelley Tea Ware Patterns.

1. Though a little expensive, this book is a "must have" resource for any Shelley collector. As an avid collector myself, I use this book on a daily basis and have found it to be 99.99% accurate on patterns and descriptions. It does appear that the dollar value placed on items may be a little high, but that may be due to the fact the author lives in England and her values in pounds need to be "translated" into current dollar equivalency. Highly recommended resource for a Shelley collector!



2. This is a great reference book for Shelley china collectors. It shows pattern shapes, pattern numbers and color photos of the hundreds of Shelley tea sets. Great for a beginning collector or for someone who wants
   to catalog their collection. Also,it gives the history of the Shelley company from 1860 to its end in 1966. I like this reference book the best of all the Shelley books I have collected.

1 comments about Warman's Majolica: Identification and Price Guide.

1. I was trying to find out more information about Majolica. This book was a good start. The pictures are great and offers a lot of information. I really enjoyed this book.

3 comments about Fresh Men: Young, Fresh, Sexy.

1. If you like sexy shaved young guys or love Freshmen magazine, you will love this book. It has lots of pictures of sexy gay guys and some writing. If you are a gay male this book is a must have.



2. You will love this book ... I would suggest to any of my friends to buy it ..



3. This book has much variety of young men staring longingly at the camera. All in living color to your great satisfation. Each picture captures the unique personal style of each model. I would certainly recommend it to anyone that is into young men.

5 comments about Surface Decoration for Low-Fire Ceramics: Slips, Terra Sigillata, Underglazes, Glazes, Maiolica, Overglaze Enamels, Decals (Lark Ceramic Series).

1. The emphasis of this book is surface decoration techniques in general. Most of the ceramics techniques in this book you will already know something about if you have had a good ceramics class. If the topics listed are new to you, then this book is a great introduction. If you've already been exposed to them, then this book does not take you farther.
   
   There is not a lot of specific low-temperature information, other than a few recipes (which can be quite useful). In particular, I was hoping for a book that would help me approach the effects of high temperature glazes when working with a low temperature kiln, how to modify a high temperature glaze recipe to be suitable for lower temperature work, how to do glaze calculations, etc.
   
   For an introductory book, it is very good, with good photos, etc. I'm giving it 3 stars simply because it is only introductory.
   
   There are more thorough treatements of surface decoration in ceramics, like Hopper's _Making Marks_. And there are better coverages of ceramics in general that include this surface decoration information, such as Peterson's _Craft & Art of Clay_, which is much larger, but can (at this writing) be purchased inexpensively from discounted booksellers listed through the Amazon page.



2. I would love to take one of her college courses because Lynn Peters presents material clearly, concisely, and makes it seem like fun! The photographs are beautiful and very inspiring. The first time through I just looked at the pictures and captions. The second time through I read the lessons with pictures step-by-step. Third time, I read every word, and I know I'll refer to it again and again. I appreciated her simple, straightforward style of writing, and how she didn't bog down on details that don't make a lot of difference. If she wrote about it, it is useful info.



3. This is absolutely the best resource for learning low-fire clay decoration. The book is in full-color & is packed beautiful example pieces. The author covers everything you need to know in an easy to understand manner. Surface decoration techniques include slips, terra sigillata, underglazes, glazes, maiolica, china paints, decals, & lusters. Formulas for some of these are included by volume & percentage. Seven step-by-step projects that demonstrate use of slips, sgraffito, cutouts, decals, underglazes & maiolica help you to apply what you have learned. A glossary, cone-firing range chart, & resource list are a great bonus. Numerous examples of each style are given in individual galleries throughout the book. I found them all an inspiration. Captions for each piece give information on the artist, clay type, technique & cone.



4. Where did Lynn Peters come from, and why is this the first I have heard of her? Wow! I have been looking for this book all my career! My students next semester and every semester after that will read this book. Everything I was never exactly sure about is in this book, from maiolica to cone temperatures, and all points in between. All of us ceramics instructors owe a giant hug of thanks to Ms. Peters.



5. As a ceramics instructor at a small art school, I am constantly searching for a suitable text for my students, even going so far as to consider authoring one myself! Fortunately, the world has been spared my awkward diction, and has been blessed with this wonderful instructional text by Lynn Peters. I have been an admirer of Peters' work for some time now, and was delighted to see that she had documented her pursuits. The anecdotal theme of the text even had me reading for its literary quality alone! The photos are wonderful, and provide fantastic insight into the actual process of creating ceramic art. I highly recommend this tome to all instructors and students, and will continue to do so until Peters blesses us with my desired sequel! Kudos!