1 comments about Howard Hodgkin Large Paintings.

1. The lush colorful paintings of award-winning Scottish Painter Howard Hodgkin may not be familiar to many Americans, but are well known in the U.K. and beyond. People who appreciate works by inventive colorists like Henri Mattise or fellow countryman, David Hockney, may respond favorably to this work. "Howard Hodgkin, Large Paintings, 1984-2002," contains two short essays and 14 lush color reproductions. Like Hodgkin's works, the small portions this handsome little book affords are perfect for art that is more complex than first meets the eye. In fact, the actual "large paintings" are only big when compared to their puny cousins. Essays by Robert Rosenblum and Richard Kendall provide thoughtful, clear commentary, on an art where important aspects hide in plain view; "ecstasy and dissonance" create unlikely harmonies. Big paint strokes, carefully planned, cover frames as well as "picture." This is cerebral, romantic art---think Zen pottery glazing--or Turner's seascapes. Quite uninterested in reproducing the outward appearances of things and settings, Hodgkin sees himself as an "emotional painter" of specific intimate events or people. "Howard Hodgkin, Large Paintings, 1984-2002" may appeal to literate people with conservative taste. Hodgkin's progressive art proves modernism need not be the enemy of emotion. A worthy introduction to Britain's brilliant working artist. A real eye-opener.

No comments about Alice Ravenel Huger Smith: An Artist, a Place and a Time.

No comments about Magritte, the True Art of Painting (Abradale).

No comments about William Christenberry: The Early Years, 1954-1968.

2 comments about Plein Air Painters of California, the Southland.

1. Not only is this book beautiful, Ruth Lilly Westphal created an important, highly useful educational and in my opinion an essential reference tool for art students, collectors, dealers and art historians interested in the California "Plein Air" art movement. It features generous artists biographies along with rich examples of each artist's works. As one of California's foremost buyers of California Impressionist paintings, I highly recommend this book! www.LawrenceBeebe.com



2. The most comprehensive survey of the work of plein air painters who worked in California.

5 comments about Caravaggio's Secrets (October Books).

1. This is a smart, beautifully written book about a most intriguing painter. Bersani and Dutoit present some fascinating arguments about secrecy and seduction; you don't have to be an expert on art history to follow them or agree with their insights. Highly recommended.



2. Well, at least this book, which really has fallen out of circulation and is not often-read even among students of seventeenth-century Italian painting, is still being discussed in this forum. I add my voice to the list of the unenthused. The book insists on psychoanalytic readings and imports a decidely dated 1990's post-modern vocabularly that lowers a seductive, gauzy veil around Caravaggio's paintings, but absolutely does not serve to illuminate them in any way. The last reviewer, a painter, expresses a muted disregard for the work of critics; I would remind this reviewer that writers and critics are the custodians of culture, and that the job of the writer on art is to illuminate, perhaps through description, which is a form of interpretation, how a work of art lives in the world; and the job of the critic is to make distinctions. (All art is not popular culture, subject to equalizing democratic standards.) For this clear, crafted prose -- prose that is accessible both to the scholar and an intelligent audience interested in art -- is always best. Perhaps one of the reasons this book is laregly overlooked is that written for neither of the above it has failed to find an audience.



3. It is sad to see how this book has been misunderstood. This book is not about "art history" or even "criticism." But it is a creative attempt to affirm one's experience through Caravaggio's paintings as inventing different "forms" to relate to others (both human and non-human).

   Bersani and Dutoit, in such a poetic way, challenge how we look at art in general--. We interpret it instead of experiencing it. As a practioner of painting, I feel that they wrote this book NOT from the position of a critic, who often tries to be a custodian of culture.




4. I looked forward to this book with much anticipation, and readit carefully twice and I am not convinced by their argument, but feelthat in its trendiness it will not be a long-lasting addition to Caravaggio scholarship. In many ways, after only a few years on the market, it remains fairly unnoticed by the academy, and remains relatively untaught in graduate seminars. I can't image it is a book that will interest the general reader with its physcoanalytic interpretations and academic lingo. I feel compelled to give it one star in order to balance out the scales and alert prospective readers that there are those of us who did not find it worthwhile. END



5. I disagree with the other reviewer -- this *is* art history. Yes, art history relies on documents, history, even x-radiography, but it is equally reliant on models of analysis and new ways of looking. Caravaggio's work has begged a critical approach like this one, and while I may not agree with the authors' conclusions, their discussion is provocative and inspiring. If you want a survey of Caravaggio's career, choose one of the many books out there that satisfy this niche. If you want to deepen your perspective of Caravaggio, and of art in general, read this book. It will give you something to think about.

4 comments about Sugar Pie and Jelly Roll: Sweets From A Southern Kitchen.

1. First of all, the the illustrations are nice. That always makes me like a cook-book more for some reason. The baking tips, and how they are organized is really nice too.
   This cookbook has it all when it comes to Southern snacks. From Peach Ice cream, to cream puffs to candies, and more. She captures the true Southern spirit. The story telling is nice, and there are some unique and interesting recipe's here too- like Fig Cake, and Shoofly pie.



2. You cannot grow up in the south without being called "sweetie pie", "honey" or "sweet pea" or any derivitive thereof. Sweetie Pie and Jelly Roll combines this time honored tradition with a cookbook of favorite southern sweets. Interspersed between the recipes are memories of southern life. I think my favorite cook books are those that combine good food with good storytelling. The recipes cover candies, crumbles, pies (Peace Pie is a favorite), cakes, desserts, puddings (real cooked puddings...yummy) and sauces. You cannot pass up trying Christmas Orange Cake, Shoofly Pie, and Peannut Brittle ...all very easy and wonderful to eat. The watercolor illustrations enhance a very delightful book.



3. I've only tried one of the recipes so far and it was good, but the additional value of the book is the way it looks, the illustrations are really charming and the design, flawless. It would make a prefect gift.



4. The desserts in this charming book are simple to make, gorgeous to look at, and scrumptious to eat. Ms. Gourley's childhood years on a North Carolina farm are remembered with an embracing warmth, and lovingly filled out with old recipes from family and friends. If that isn't enough, her art is as mouth-watering as her desserts, especially the divider sections of the book. Each section opens with a double-page spread watercolor of fruit ripening on trees, and the deftness of her brushwork is almost oriental, but with an added American exhuberance. I guess you can tell I loved this book. I bought one copy for myself, several more to give as gifts, and I'm certain that anyone who buys or receives this book will be delighted. And they will soon be in the kitchen, making magic.

No comments about Richard Diebenkorn: Paintings and drawings, 1943-1976.

No comments about Caravaggio: The Final Years.

1 comments about Beloved Land: The World of Emily Carr.

1. This little gem of a book features color reproductions of several paintings created by Emily Carr. Each image is paired with a bit of her writing, so that one has a sense of what she was thinking during or shortly after painting a particular landscape. This book is an ideal introduction to the art and prose of Emily Carr--not too long and not too short. It makes me want to see and hear more from this admirable Canadian woman.