1 comments about Yellow Ware.

1. This book is helpful in identifying pieces, and learning some early history, but of course the prices are very outdated. The photography isn't of the best quality, and in some cases, unprofessional looking for a book, but still interesting and helpful. There were some inconsistencies in the text and errors with Pottery names, but I think it's worth owning if you are a yellow ware collector.

1 comments about Rich Larson's Haunted House of Lingerie Volume 2.

1. To simply be blunt this so-called novel is just porn on paper for any thirteen year old boy who happens to his hands on it. This should be a good topic for disscusion at the author's next the therapy session.

3 comments about Secreta: Three Methods of Laying Gold Leaf.

1. As a practicing medieval illuminator and historical bookbinder, I can recommend wholeheartedly Ms. Grafe's fantastic book on gilding. The book is well written and contains many valuable illustrations to accompany somewhat complicated procedures. I especially appreciate the easy to follow, clear, detailed steps for the gesso gilding process which is very time consuming (but worth every minute) and its success depends on many factors which can be a challenge to someone just starting. She gives the tips and pointers that only an experienced gilder could pass on to help with the environmental influences and other things which can stifle success. It is an excellent resource material for anyone who is fascinated in book arts but especially useful for someone who wants to improve and perfect their technique in gilding paper and parchment.



2. If you have an interest in this art-form then you want to do it the way it has been done for hundreds of years. This little book shows you the way of the masters down through the centuries. To recreate the beauty that has been held timeless in illuminated manuscripts, thus adding to it's number, is a fine thing thing to accomplish in a lifetime.



3. Secreta is easy to understand, well organized, and has a lot of excellent drawings and photographs of the steps involved in gilding. It also has some historical background on how gilding was used, as well as a nice little section on using the paint pigments that would have accompanied the gilding on medieval manuscripts. One of the few how-to books that I've read cover to cover, and have recommended to my friends who already do gilding or are interested in learning.

   Heather Gray

No comments about Drawings by Marcel Dzama: From the Bernardi Collection.

No comments about Sticky Sublime.

3 comments about Wood-Fired Stoneware and Porcelain.

1. After doing much searching and researching, I've found that this book, along with F. Olsen's "Kilns", is an excellent resouce for those of us who have spent much time working with kilns from a pedestrian level, but little time investigating the construction of them. Jack Troy's writing is clear and enjoyable and his knowledge obviously exhaustive. The first place to go if you are considering the merits of woodfired work.



2. "Wood-Fired Stoneware & Porcelain" is a great resource for potters interested in this alternative style of firing. The book contains substantial information on kiln design, clays, glazes, stacking, and firing wood kilns. Troy adds in details from his own considerable experience, and the photos and illustrations will make you anxious to get to the studio (or your local brick supplier...) The only drawback is that the majority of the photos are in b&w; however, the color plates that are included are great. A nice historical section, and lots of work by and info on contemporary potters. Most likely a good book to have on the shelf, and a great companion to his book on Salt-Glaze.



3. Jack Troy is a very good and entusiastic writer. This new book is very much worth it's price and if you can get your hands at the old one, Salt Glazed Ceramics, that is a trofee.

No comments about Having Been Said: Writings & Interviews of Lawrence Weiner, 1968-2003.

1 comments about Betty Woodman.

1. One of the most wonderful art books in my collection, not only the extensive coverage on such an amazing woman ceramicist, the first woman ever with a solo 50-year retrospective in her field at the Met, her life between NY and Italy soundly influencing her exuberant 'joie de vivre' artwork with so many large colorful photos chronicling all, not to mention the beautiful padded cover, the front her colorful animated 'Ming Sisters' and the back her animated feet, a continuation of her art, plus insightful essays on her work and philosophy. I feel like I've had a front seat personal tour of her enchanting and brilliant exhibit at the NY Met by the artist herself and am left in awe, uplifted and joyously inspired! A must for ceramicists, artists of any media, collectors, and all women, a wonderfully done book on a outstanding woman and artist.

2 comments about Majolica: A Complete History and Illustrated Survey.

1. First saw this magnificent volume at a collector's home, and had to acquire a copy for my library as inspiration for my own artistic endeavors with majolica.



2. People all over the world treat this as the "Bible" of Victorian Majolica. It is the best.

5 comments about The Pressed Plant.

1. I was disappointed with this book - I was expecting something completely different. Very staid and did not give the information on pressed plants that I was looking for.



2. I love The Art of the Pressed Plant. The authors mine the history, the science and the art of preserved plants in this
   rich book. It was fascinating to learn about the people who have collected plants throughout history, what that meant, and what that was like for them. It was inspiring and surprising to see the beautiful specimens. You will not be disappointed if you get this book.



3. The author provides a well written history of plant preservation and pressing with summaries, comments, illustrations, and a comprehensive "how to" section. Anyone interested in pressed plant collecting should own this book.



4. As an avid fan of leaves and wildflowers, with not a few pressed examples stuck in books and files, I was glad to find a book that celebrates all kinds of pressed plants, from ferns to seaweeds (!), as art. There's an amazing fossilized impression of a prehistoric plant, photos of Victorian botanists' carefully pressed samples, and sun prints done with photographic paper over a century ago. Plus a few modern artists' examples. This book proves that Mother Nature has been one of the best artists all along, and that we humans can have a sort of artistic partnership by preserving botanical specimens in one way or another. The wide array of images is mouth-watering; and the book can be used as a sort of tasting party to get you started on a new collection, or, using the how-to at the back of the book, a new hobby or art.



5. For years I searched for a book that would direct me through the process of pressing ferns and other plants. This is it! This exquisite book is a treasure! The author shows the nature lover how to complete the process of preserving plants, just as the Victorians did. However, this wonderful hobby did not originate with the Victorians, they just renewed it with avid inspiration and volumes of renditons and renderings. This book takes the reader through the history of plant preservation, and shows the eager "artist" three different techniques for display: using the real thing, printing with paints and inks, and sun printing. This book is so wonderful, you may want to have two. The numerous copies of original and rare prints are so gorgeous, you may need an extra volume to "cheat" with: you know remove from the volume and, voila, inexpensive yet exquisite art!