4 comments about Batchelder Tilemaker.

1. Not the greatest tile reference, the detail in the photos is poor and hard to see. Most of the historical reference in this book is accurate, but poorly written. I would not purchase this book early in a library building journey, save it for when you have excess money to spend and are just trying to fill and round out your collection.



2. When the back cover of a book informs you that the author is reputable, rather than the subject is well written - take it as a warning.

   This sophomorically written book is not intended for Arts & Crafts devotes, it is meant for tour guides who wants to get an "Ooo!" or a giggle out of a bus load of little old ladies.

   While the photos are fair, I found myself wishing I could actually see what they were showing. I guess the little old ladies are use to not being allowed too close, but I'd like to zoom in, please.

   Throughout the book, the reader is assured that the author is highly praised by the Governor of California. Perhaps taxpayers should insist their Governor spend his time more selectively.




3. While specific to the works of Batchelder, the photo supplements leave much to be desired - they are too general (a photo of a tiled room is nice, but a few more detail photos would have been most welcome!) and there are simply not enough of them (especially when compared to works referred in text). Overall, I found the book too big (and expensive) for the content delivered.



4. Ernest Batchelder's ceramic enterprize grew from a home-based business to a nation-wide enterprize: Batchelder Tilemaker follows his life and works, starting with his 1908 venture into entrepreneurship and his establishment of the 1930s Batchelder-Wilson company showrooms. An outstanding, revealing title surveys his life and artistic achievements.

1 comments about Pueblo Pottery Designs (Dover Pictorial Archive Series).

1. This book is an excellent study of Santo Domingo pottery with over a thousand examples of designs and motifs, most in black and white with some in black, white and dark red. There is also a map of the 18 river pueblos and a brief history of Native American pottery in New Mexico. It was originally published in 1953 as "The Pottery of Santo Domingo Pueblo : A Detailed Study of It's Decoration" by the Laboratory of Anthropology in Santa Fe. I bought it thinking it was a survey of all pueblo pottery designs (which the title would lead you to believe) but it's only focus is Santo Domingo.

1 comments about Hopi & Pueblo Tiles: An Illustrated History.

1. This book is the first book specifically about Hopi & Pueblo Tile ever written. It is well researched and easy to read. I believe it would have been better with footnotes and specific acknowledgements but after talking to the authors, I found that the publisher limited the amount and type of material. I hope the authors continue their research and produce more information on this fascinating subject.

1 comments about Mosaics for the first time (For the First Time).

1. Last summer I was introduced to mosaics and fell in love with the art. I found that this book offers everything one needs to know to succeed in mosaics. Terms and tools unique to mosaics are explained clearly and concisely. Each technique is well illustrated and a list of supplies is included. It is a beautiful book full of imaginative ideas and the author did a good job of conveying her knowledge.

No comments about Utopic Impulses: Contemporary Ceramics Practice.

2 comments about The Ceramic Process: A Manual And Source of Inspiration for Ceramic Art And Design.

1. This is not about the book, but about Amazon. Initially, the book arrived printed upside down in the binding and
   with it cut badly with the tops of the pages missing. Following an email, Amazon reversed the charges and sent a new book which arrived in good condition. I would give Amazon high marks for addressing this problem.
   The book itself is excellent.



2. Phenomenal book. It covers the entire ceramic process from the constituents of the clay to drying, firing and glazing or decorating. The descriptions border on the scientific but are written in such a way that you can pick the book up to read for leasure.
   
   Within its pages you will find how to mix a clay for a specific purpose, how to support huge statues and keep small tiles straight. How to fire bisquit and how to glaze (in detail and with recepies, but this is not a glaze book) or decorate. Whether you want to cast 10 thee pots or make a lifesize sculpture of an giraffe you will find hints and tips on how to do it. Everything you need to take your ceramics over the edge.
   
   The artworks that illustrate the book and are used as examples might not be to everyones taste (they come from a school for experimental ceramics afterall) but they fit the explanations perfectly.
   
   If you are serious about your ceramics and want to buy one book that explains the process without specialising on only one type of application (tiles, pots, sculpture) look no further!
   
   If you are new to pottery of sculpture the contents might be a bit daunting.

1 comments about Daphne 01: Sketches by Daphne Yap.

1. The cover of this book does not do the interior justice. I'd seen it for sale on various websites, and really wasn't interested. I had the chance to thumb through a copy, and what's inside is spectacular. Daphne has some delightfully creative designs inside, and a profound attention to detail and line.
   
   The interior is entirely expertly rendered pencil line drawings. If I were to nitpick anything, I'd simply like to see more.

No comments about Roy Stuart Vol. III (Midsize).

2 comments about Fatal Beauty : The Boada Sketchbook, Volume One.

1. The covers front and back are very good. The inside black and white pencil and washes lacked a crispness and didn't have as polished look as the covers. They were good but not great. Reproducing these types of art is always difficult at best. If it had been printed on better quality paper to allow the blacks to really be black in stead of a dark gray may have helped.Fatal Beauty : The Boada Sketchbook, Volume One



2. As a contemporary of fellow Spanish-born artists Sanjulian and Esteban Maroto, one can certainly see the similarities in style when looking at the work of Boada. But as noted in the introduction to this collection, in Europe Boada is well renowned for his romantic, yet classic paintings of the female form.. A visit to his website will be proof enough of his enormous talent. But it's his over 2000 book cover illustrations that he his perhaps most well-known for in America, capturing a look and feel of old pulp magazines. Boada also produced many covers for 70's horror mags such as Skywald's Psycho and Nightmare.
   
   This collection from SQ Productions provides a sampling of Boada's work, much in the same vein as their Sanjulian collection. Boada's style, at least in these illustrations is somewhat grittier than Sanjulian's, making it a perfect fit for many of the hard-boiled crime and detective pieces displayed in the book. But Boada does love the female form and his beautiful women are on wonderful display here in a series of themed sections. The "Best of the Wild West" features Winchester toting saloon gals in lingerie just daring any cowboy to look at her wrong. Page 18 features a buxom nude on hands and knees in the ocean surf, apparently oblivious to the gun battle taking place in the background.
   
   The largest section shows off Boada's horror illustrations that combine the Boada woman in archetypal gothic settings. In one piece Fritz, the hunchbacked assistant from "Frankenstein" prods a captive female with a torch, much the way he tormented the monster in the original 1931 classic film. Pages 38 and 39 are covers that are taken right out of the 70's era with their decrepit undead attacking damsels who have strayed into the wrong cemeteries. Page 43 features a topless woman, bound tightly in chains as two cobras menace her. Simply marvelous and evocative illustrations!
   
   Perhaps my favorite piece in the entire book is the illustration on page 61 depicting a topless jungle maiden with her arm on the back of her pet...a massive gorilla! Even Charo, the 70's coochie-coochie girl finds her way into the book as Boada illustrates the Spanish singing star in a tight dress that laces up the front with her full breasts spilling out over the top. Just dazzling! A great collection!
   
   Reviewed by Tim Janson

2 comments about Noritake Dinnerware: Identification Made Easy (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. Finally, a book on Noritake collecting that does not sound like it was written by a snobby, snooty museum curator! Most Noritake collectors are lovely people who enjoy the "thrill of the hunt" and delight over every lemon plate and berry bowl they are able to obtain no matter how common and inexpensive the pieces may be. Who needs a book with pictures and prices of Noritake pieces they will never see except in private collections? Robin Brewer writes in a "down to earth style" and communicates her love for porcelain beautifully. Her photographs are excellent and her prose is charming. Some of the names she assigns the backstamps are homey and silly but descriptive. (Alot better that decimals) A wonderful book for the experienced Noritake enthusiast but especially appropriate and helpful for the beginner.



2. A wonderful guide to Noritake. History, basic patterns, unusual pieces and much more. Any collector or dealer in Noritake should have a copy of this book.