2 comments about Mimbres Pottery: Ancient Art of the American Southwest.

1. This is classic Mibres at its best. If you don't have this one in your library - WHY NOT?!



2. This book is hard to find in libraries but is an excellent resource. Excellent photographs of bowls and clear description of styles and meaning makes the book invaluable. We use it in our class.

4 comments about The Artist's Quest of Inspiration (Aesthetics Today).

1. I have often been accused of having too much imagination.
   But this book made me say wow a couple of times, due to its usefulness and simplicity.
   I have to read this book in little bits because before long I am jumping up and running to my drawing table because inspiration has struck,or some idea has been presented that I MUST explore furthur.
   That is what I call a gem of a book.
   Even nicer is that it is a book that anyone who does creative work or hobbies can use.
   I dont give a 5 lightly, but I'm doing it for this book.



2. 
   The Artist's Quest for Inspiration is a book that will appeal to artists at many different stages of their career and in most artistic fields. If you are creative at any level this is a title that will help you find new ways of being inspired.
   
   The author offers many suggestions to help you break through any creative blocks such as: journal writing, working with other artists, meditation, and music... just to name a few techniques! Throughout The Artist's Quest for Inspiration you will find highlighted ideas for you to try. One of them that I like in particular goes like this:
   
   `I think creative responses are helped by singing old songs. I know it can lift my mood. Even in private, singing can help you remember incidents from your past that might have drifted off to a corner of your mind's attic.'
   
   This is NOT a how-to book with step-by-step instructions in using various media or lessons in perspective etc. However, this is a book that will draw on your true creativity and individual offerings to the world that will truly reflect what you have to offer.
   
   The author has done a fabulous job in providing you with a multitude of `block' busters that will help you break through any creative barriers you may be suffering from. Even if you don't suffer from this problem The Artist's Quest for Inspiration is bound to provide you with even more energising ideas than you already have! The language is easy to understand and friendly.
   
   I would recommend this book to anyone involved in a creative pursuit - particularly if you are looking for new ideas - but also for those of you looking for a fresh approach. I must admit that I don't suffer from a shortage of ideas, but this title certainly gave me a lot more to think about!



3. Book has interesting exercises. Many which I had done.
   There is one GLARING mistake in this book
   The publishers printed twice the last two chapters,index and bibliography. !
   One in the proper place an the mistake is starts at page 235
   ...
   I would repurchase it if Allworth press came out with a new
   edition.



4. Working artist Peggy Hadden shares her secrets for overcoming artistic blocks, from meditation to exercises designed to release artistic expression. Her book Artist's Quest For Inspiration reveals insights on how creativity is awakened, covering subjects ranging from working with other artists to revisiting childhood and creating an inspirational work and play environment. A fine gift for the practicing, serious artist.

No comments about Spode (Shire Library).

1 comments about Uta Barth (Contemporary Artists).

1. This splendid monograph on the work of Uta Barth lays out in lavish detail how she deconstructs vision into a series of sensations and effects. She began making pictures of the backgrounds of snapshots, and then photos of the backgrounds of action film stills. Her aim was the periphery of conscious sight, and the results have been dazzlingly effective. She has progressed in this investigation of vision by adding the effects of the passage of time, and investigating the visual collapse that occurs from an extended stare. Her pictures are always rigorously composed and stunningly beautiful, and they are accurately illustrated in this superb book. The essays are smart and insightful, and the interviews are enlightening. Well worth the cost.

3 comments about Erotic Drawings by Jean Cocteau (Evergreen).

1. Seriously though. I have never seen such amazing penises!! I came across a show of Jean Cocteau work at a museum in Montreal in 2004. I was not familiar with him, but immediately fell in love. Homoerotic drawings are just one type of his works, but I must say, the realism in these drawings is just phenomenal...



2. Whit Jean Cocteau drawings you're flying on erotic clouds.Yes,this the Dreamtime of sex,when anything is possible.
   While being essential, Jean Cocteau's drawing is gentle and evocative. I loved it!



3. I accidentally stumbled across the work of this artist during a recent trip abroad. I had never heard of Cocteau or his reputation as an artist. His nudes are both provocative and engaging. Although this book only shows one dimension of his craft, it is well assembled and the quality of the publication is exceptional. Don't miss your chance to see his work if you can. There is really nothing else like it.

1 comments about Dictionary of Glass: Materials and Techniques.

1. Do not be misled by the title. This is more a detailed encyclopedia of glass than a simple dictionary, with many in depth articles covering the history, art and technology of glass working.

   All forms of glass craft are represented, including blowing, lamp work, stained glass, etching and engraving. Raw materials, chemicals, tools and techniques for industrial and artistic uses are described.

   Styles & important historical pieces are also covered. The book is well illustrated with b/w photos & diagrams. Two sections of color plates showcase some beautiful & unusual artistic pieces in a wide variety of techniques.

   Lists of periodicals, suppliers, societies, schools and museums provide a great source for further information. This is a complete and essential reference for anyone interested in glass.

2 comments about Lighting Fixtures of the Depression Era.

1. The previous reviewer says "this book also didn't give the dates of when the lights were originally made so you can't use it to date a light of your own if you want to." This is not accurate. While Volume I did not include dates for the various catalogs reprinted and priced, it did state that the fixtures are from the 1920's. Volume II, however, covers the 1930's and includes the date of publication for each catalog.
   
   My problem with the series is that the books are only a collection of old catalogs with guesses as to the prices of the items. No real life values are shown, auction or flea market. It is an interesting collection, but almost useless as a price guide.



2. this book was pretty good lot of good picture but would of liked them all to be in color,this book also didnt give the dates of when the lights were orignally made so you can't use it to date a light of your own if you want to.

2 comments about Yayoi Kusama (Contemporary Artists).

1. I love this artist, she is such an innovator, she rocks my world and as a young Japanese canadian artist i am highly influnced by her.



2. This book is absolutely gorgeous. I didn't know many of the artist's works before I bought this book - and it gave me a good understanding of her life and work. Chock full of beautiful colour photos. It's cool too because so many quality art books cost a fortune, but since this one is a softcover it's reasonably priced. As you can tell, I HIGHLY recommend this book.

2 comments about Acoma & Laguna Pottery.

1. I received this book today and was unable to put it down. Very informative, well researched, and of course the pictures were beautifully displayed. It answered questions I had that only an expert could reveil or an Acoma potter could provide. Don't pass this one up!



2. Elliott and co authors have captured the essence of Acoma and Laguna in their pictures and text of this highly collectible Native American pottery. As a small collector of this pottery, I have learned so much more from this wonderful book! If you are on a "hunt" for Acoma and Laguna collectibles, I recommend you take this book along with you.

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.'