1 comments about Barnett Newman.

1. Apart from the Catalogue Raisonné, this is the best contribution to the understanding of Newman's work in recent years. It is the catalogue for an exhibition held at the National Gallery in London and, therefore, carries no surprise: All the masterpieces are there, arranged in a chronological order, beautifully illustrated and accompanied by an enlightening text.

1 comments about Brambly Hedge Collectors Book & Price Guide.

1. What is the greatest boondoggle/stumbling block to the run ofthe mill avid Brambly Hedge aficionado/collector?
   Hands down, ithas to be a lack of information.
   
   Whether you are speaking of pieces ever done, dates of release, or countries availabe, it's all here in Louise Irvine's outstanding work. The photographs are well worth the price of the book, but on top of those is the documenting of the very complex and phenomenal merchandizing tale which is so indicative of not only the tremendous enthusiasm which exists for Jill Barklem's world of characters/stories/artwork, but this day in age in which it is occurring....ie the tail end of the 20th century.
   
   In America, when it comes to obtaining Brambly Hedge merchandise, we are at a big disadvantage compared to most of the other markets, that is the UK, Europe, Canada, Australia and Japan. In those places when you ask after Brambly Hedge Items at a gift or china shop there is instant product recognition. Here you are more likely to get a response like: "That's those little bunnies, right?" Louise's book somewhat levels the playing field for us poor Yanks with previously unavailable information.
   
   Louise Irvine has taken on the daunting task of identifying and photo cataloguing every item of major significance related to the community of English mice, known as the Brambly Hedge. These critters first appeared on the literary scene in 1980, in the form of the first four books by authoress, Jill Barklem. Since the introduction of the Spring; Summer; Autumn; and Winter "Stories" there have been no fewer than 2 dozen companies from all over the world with lines of merchandise with everything from China plates, figures in china, resin, and pewter, to stationery and even cosmetics in which to feature the mice made famous in Ms. Barklem's extremely eloquent and exquistitely illustrated children's books.

   The Collector's Book has an introduction of the general story of Jill and how she came to write and illustrate her stories. The chapters are then listed in descending order of the most prolific of the Brambly Hedge Licensees....32 pages devoted to Royal Doulton, with pictures of everything ever available from them, followed by a 27 page chapter devoted to Border Fine Arts and Enesco, on down the list to a final chapter of "Useful addresses". Included with each book is a very helpful price guide insert.

   Thank you, Mrs. Barklem, for your creativity and magnificent artistry captured in your eight wonderfully illustrated children's books. Thank you Louise, for the dogged persuit needed to put this fantastically documented and illustrated volume out there for the the consuming Brambly Hedge public to 'devour', as I am sure that they will. Best of luck and fortune to you and the Publishers of this volume. From a devoted "Brambly Hedger", Jo Ann Travis, USA

2 comments about Maurizio Cattelan (Contemporary Artists).

1. Beware that this is a mini book, which makes looking at Cattelan's artwork almost impossible. Cattelan is an incredibly funny, satiric, conceptual sculptor. His work makes fun of the gallery system in an intelligent way but also moves beyond the criticism of art politics. Some of his work has recently earned the presitgious title of "controversial" (the images of himself hanging from a tree). I put Cattelan in the same category as Manzoni, Fontana...great book but I would order the bigger one.



2. This is a good series from Phaidon and Cattelan is a good choice for inclusion. There's lots of information here on his early work from the days before he became an 'art star.'

3 comments about Mermaids Volume One : A Gallery Girls Book (Gallery Girls Collection).

1. Una magnifica coleccion de sirenas, todas graciosas, romanticas, incluso picarescas; tampoco faltan los temas guerreros, seres mitologicos, accion y sencillez; me encanta el dibujo donde una sirena juega con tres criaturas marinas semejantes a hombres-pez, tambien es hermoso el dibujo de las tres sirenas sobre un arrecife (abarca dos paginas) y uno mas donde una sirena sentada en una roca parece sonreirle al lector; es notable la presencia del lapiz como instrumento de dibujo en casi todas las impresiones, y algunas parecen casi una fotografia!!
   Este fue el primer volumen que he adquirido y he quedado my encantado con esta obra...¡SENCILLAMENTE PRECIOSO!!



2. It's really terrific to see so many creative depictions of mermaids and the like in one little book. I really enjoyed the different perspectives- some terrifying, others humorous, all outstanding in their own unique way.



3. Mermaids is another fine series of Gallery Girl collections from SQ Productions. Sal Quartuccio continues to give an outlet to a very diverse and talented assortment of fantasy and erotic artists. This is the first of the three volumes currently available in the Gallery Girls Mermaids series. Mermaids have always had that enchanting allure of beauty for men of the sea. While these creatures of myth are usually presented as peaceful, playful, and perhaps a bit mischievous, many of the artists in Mermaids Volume One have a different perspective on them. The book starts out with a gorgeous, painted, wrap-around cover by Joe Chiodo whose style is well-matched to the lighthearted side of mermaids. The interior artists include Daniel Pascarelli, Tomas Giorello, Jose Torres, James Ryman, Pelaez, and Mike Hoffman.
   
   Pascarelli takes a fairly traditional approach as he shows two mermaids, a blonde and a brunette, lying on a rocky shore, soaking up the sun. Another Pascarelli piece features a blonde mermaid lounging inside of a giant clam. Mike Hoffman presents a gorgeous piece with a mermaid, armed with a trident, battling a male warrior. Hoffman is one of my new favorites among fantasy artists due to his strong Frazetta influence and his art stands as a tribute to that true master of fantasy art. Showing that not all mermaids are playful, Artist Quintabani has two mermaids locked underwater in a duel to the death. James Ryman probably gets the honor for most horrific piece in the collection as a beautiful mermaid finds herself facing an enormous beast that is part humanoid, part crab, and part octopus that looks like it just walked out of a Robert E. Howard story.
   
   A strong-willed mermaid rides a mammoth great white shark in a piece by Boada, and Capdevila provides a picturesque work of a tranquil shoreline with a mermaid reclining on the beach as seagulls fly overhead. The great Pelaez has a number of outstanding pieces in the book including one showing a mermaid discovering the bones of an ancient seaman at the bottom of the ocean. Whether these creatures are lying serenely on the shore or battling fierce beasts far below the ocean's surface, this initial collection promises to be a great new series in the Gallery Girls line. I look forward to seeing the next two volumes!
   
   Reviewed by Tim Janson

4 comments about Kinky Couture.

1. The photography is brilliantly done in this book. The author herself appears as her own model in many shots and certainly models quite well. Although the work is far from genius artistry it is very well done and a lot of fun. Great high gloss, high impact visuals. You can't go wrong here. Every picture or almost is a winner.



2. With the exception of a few images (including the one on the cover) this book is much more focused on the couture than the kinky. The latex-clad models look bored rather than aroused, and the artist's interest in clown suits is one I do not share.
   
   I was also surprised to see photographs of men in this collection, since both the reviews and the product description indicated that the models were female. Furthermore, the men she chose were not attractive, and instead of being nude or erotically dressed, they just had on some wild latex gimp suit. Just not my thing.



3. More than just a photography book, this is an atmospheric fantasy ride through the imagination of an exciting new artist. As mentioned in the introduction, Emma Delves-Broughton draws much of her inspiration from the grand 18th Century columned architecture of her aristocratic hometown of Bath, England, and is further enthused by the splendid backdrops of stately gardens, follies, and castles there. She mixes all of this together along with her fascination for fetish clothing, props, and subject matter, and plasters it onto each page with an extraordinary and breathtaking range of photographic techniques. If anything, she is an amazingly talented photographer.

   Both color and black & white images are featured here, and most works are saturated with a sultry, glamorous mood which absolutely enhances the sense of uncensored fantasy going on here. Across 108 pages we are treated to a visual smorgasbord of gorgeous models, impeccably made up, strapped and bound and propped-up for our mouth-watering pleasure. This is a marvelous first book for Ms. Delves-Broughton and she's definitely an artist to watch and perhaps .. expect even greater things from.




4. More than just a photography book, this is an atmospheric fantasy ride through the imagination of an exciting new artist. As mentioned in the introduction, Emma Delves-Broughton draws much of her inspiration from the grand 18th Century columned architecture of her aristocratic hometown of Bath, England, and is further enthused by the splendid backdrops of stately gardens, follies, and castles there. She mixes all of this together along with her fascination for fetish clothing, props, and subject matter, and plasters it onto each page with an extraordinary and breathtaking range of photographic techniques. If anything, she is an amazingly talented photographer.
   
   Both color and black & white images are featured here, and most works are saturated with a sultry, glamorous mood which absolutely enhances the sense of uncensored fantasy going on here. Across 108 pages we are treated to a visual smorgasbord of gorgeous models, impeccably made up, strapped and bound and propped-up for our mouth-watering pleasure. This is a marvelous first book for Ms. Delves-Broughton and she's definitely an artist to watch and perhaps .. expect even greater things from.

1 comments about Ceramic Technology for Potters and Sculptors.

1. The most comprehensive book I've seen for describing and explaining the whys, wherefores, and hows of the geology, chemistry and practical studio concerns of clay. As it is set up as a textbook, it would be great for college or university students who want to be sure they really know their ceramic science inside and out. It is readable and had many illustrations. One of the most interesting aspects for me is the repeated reference to the artist's reverse re-creation of the natural geologic process which form the clay. The chemistry all works in reverse as we form and fire our work. I think that's sort of romantic!

1 comments about Porcelain Painting With Uwe Geissler (A Schiffer Craft Book).

1. Uwe is a master at his craft he explains the tools the mediums and the techniques very clearly I will use the book more than once, I hope he does more books in this vein maybe with more drawings to copy for our own painting.

5 comments about Real Girls.

1. This is really a great book. The girls are stunning, very sexy and natural. There are some for all the tastes...Many with tatoos or piercings and some totally nude like they were at birth, with no drawings or anything. If you hate tatoos and piercing, perhaps this is not a book for you. But if you are curious and like beautiful girls in any way they ARE, then you will enjoy to discover them one by one. All deserve attention because they are natural and unique in what they express through the shots. I especially like the blonde girl from the cover and another one who is a true Audrey Tautou look-alike!! This is really one of the most attractive books i have seen in many years..Would love to meet many of them just for the pleasure of kissing their hands!



2. Like it or not, the average young woman in 2007 America will very likely have at least one tattoo as well as one or more piercing's. Such attire and fashion sense might have been construed as cutting-edge five years ago, but today is it quite normal. This is not to suggest that Scott Lanes has a thing here for pierced, tattooed young woman, this cultural obsession is in no way over-emphasized in this book; he's just showcasing what "real" girls look like beneath their clothes in today's western society.
   
   Scott Lanes is an experienced and gifted photographer and the production quality of "Real Girls" is excellent. What's most striking here is Lanes' vision. Although this is largely a collection of nude portraits, it is interspersed with gorgeous examples of more traditional figure studies as well as images that venture in the realm of erotica (lesbian sexuality and erotic nudes). This slide from one genre to the next gives the work a slightly off-balance feel. Yet, this is undoubtedly a genuine reflection of what's transpiring in the lives of these young women, most of whom are on the verge of full adulthood and all the responsibilities that entails. A little self-exploration is only natural and to be expected. It's cool that "Real Girls" is in touch with all this. This is what ART is all about.



3. "Real Girls" is a book dedicated to the beauty the natural body holds. None of these shots are photoshopped for perfection, nor are the girls manipulated with plastic surgery.
   The adornments on their body are those of tattoos and piercings indicative of their personality; their private lives, not society's idea of what beauty should be.
   Lanes does an amazing job of shooting these girls using natural light, capturing their coy smiles, fair skin and the delicate looks in their eyes.
   It's great to see that sexuality is still imminent in photography without the crudeness of pornography. The fine art of naked photography is something I have enjoyed ever since I discovered Nan Goldin a decade ago.
   Cheers to Lanes and his models for putting together a piece of art that I am happy to keep in my bookcase and flip through when I desire some inspiration.



4. I love this book. But don't let the cover, or title fool you. You have to like the young 18+ girl next door look....with piercings and tattoos. These girls would look so normal dressed, and many photos have some clothing on (but most are nude, but not real explicit) But they all have some piercings or tattoos, or both. I found the photographs to be very erotic, in maybe a goth sense. But these girls DO have the real girl next door look, but you must love the look of tattoos and piercings, or you will be disappointed. I found it very different and erotic.



5. The author is quite right - each age has its own look, in fashionable figures, styles of hair and body hair, dress and undress, and more. It's a bit much for any one artist to claim to have captured the whole look of any one time, though.
   
   Lanes has done a fair job of presenting these models. They're all attractive young adults. The figures are all charmingly natural, including the ones with naturally slim busts - I'm very glad to see people getting away from the implanted look. Unlike "Natural Beauties," though, Lanes prefers his models decorated with piercings and tattoos (though not the most radical of either) and some amount of clothing. Few of the photos are fully nude. Instead, most are partially undressed or undressing. That includes the most of the bathtub scenes. I have to wonder: do Real Girls really take baths with their clothes (or underclothes) on?
   
   The models have an innate charm, but Lanes hasn't done a great job of capturing it. Occasional capture the elegance of a model's curve. More often, the attempt at a "Real" look misses views that could have made more of their beauty, and sometimes just looks amateurish. And, despite the goal of presenting the look of the current historical moment, Lanes has shown us a moment in which every woman has European features and skin tone.
   
   So, there are better collections around. There are better books of ladies in undies, better books of ladies out of them, better books of piercings and tats, and better samplings of human variety. This collection is enjoyable enough, but rarely rises above the ordinary.
   
   //wiredweird

1 comments about Collecting Royal Copley Plus Royal Windsor & Spaulding: Indentification and Value Guide.

1. Joe Devine's Collecting Royal Copley Plus Royal Windsor & Spaulding Identification And Value Guide packs in a lovely photo gallery of pieces with history and values. Royal Copley is the main focus of the presentation, though some Windsor and Spaulding pieces are presented, and about 85% of everything made at Spaulding was Royal Copley. Collectors will find this a 'must have' reference.

No comments about The Penny Bank Book (Schiffer Book for Collectors).