3 comments about Chinese Folk Designs (Dover Pictorial Archive Series).

1. I bought this book at an art store with the purpose of finding a tattoo. I did and 5 years later I got it... Lots of great designs inside.



2. I have used this book numerous times for the somewhat non-traditional purpose of tattoo designs. My complaint is minor, and it has to do with how the book is formatted. The designs are white on a red or black background. This makes it a little difficult to photocopy for use; especially on the red pages.



3. I ran across this title in a small shop in San Francisco's Chinatown. I was running short on cash, and was kicking myself within 24 hours for not purchasing this book. Hawley provides 300 cut paper designs used in traditional Chinese embroidery. Each design is in white on a solid color background (red, blue, black, brown, or purple). The designs are clear and easy to see and enjoy. A brief introduction gives a little background (I would have liked more) on this folk art, and an index at the beginning allows users to look up symbols of specific interest. Do that, but browse the rest of the book as well!

   An eight-page supplement at the end illustrates 160 symbols (including ideograms, trigrams from the I Ching, and pictoral symbols) used in traditional decorative arts along with their meanings. Fascinating!

   For those interested in learning more about Chinese art, or for those who just enjoy beautiful designs, this is an excellent choice.

2 comments about Helaman Ferguson: Mathematics in Stone and Bronze.

1. This luscious book amply attests to the affinity between art and mathematics, and does so in an unusual and striking way. Bertrand Russel once wrote: "Mathematics, rightly viewed, possesses not only truth, but supreme beauty---a beauty cold and austere, like that of sculpture." Russell's beauty is that of intangibles, as when mathematicians speak of an elegant proof, a beautiful theory. Ferguson imbues mathematics with another kind of beauty, accessible to everyone.

   Ferguson's sculptures are attractive both in their shape and in their materials. This lavishly illustrated book exhibits them to advantage. The artist's comments on each piece, at the end of the book, are quite valuable; in spite of the mathematical nature of some of them, they convey a sense of personal intimacy.




2. A reality check for those of us who were brought up to think that mathematics is dry and esoteric.

5 comments about Totem Poles: An Altitude SuperGuide.

1. There are nice photos in this book. I wasn't crazy about the way the book was organized. It is broken up in little chucks of imformation. It just wasn't easy to get through.



2. Good reference to Totem Poles past and present. Wonderful pictures. Could be a coffee table book if it was larger and hardback.



3. A short summary of history and variations of artistic evolutions. Pictures are in good shape. I was also hoping to get some information on the manufacturer process.



4. I think it's a very good option if you are interested in totem poles. This book tells you about the history of totems, ceremonies, how to make your own totem pole and also the quality of the pictures are very, very good too. Definitely an excelent choice for totem-lovers just like me...



5. An Altitude SuperGuide: Totem Poles by Pat Kramer is the perfect guide for anybody wanting to know more about Totem Poles or anybody who wishes to visit the Pacific coast. The book is broken into four parts. The first chapter deals with the origins and history of Totem Poles. The second deals with symbols and ceremonies. The third part deals with identifying the Totem figures from Bear to Wolf. The last chapter deals with where you can find authentic, well-designed, totem poles and totem pole collections. I got the book from a store when visiting Stanley Park in Vancouver and used it while visiting Ketchican, Juneau and Sitka Alaska. It really does help understand the importance and beauty of the Totem Pole to Native culture and to Alaska's history.

No comments about A History of World Pottery.

1 comments about Carving Carousel Animals, from 1/8 Scale to Full Size.

1. This book has many patterns and complete instructions on the best methods to scale the pattern to a desired size. It is thorough and well written.

No comments about African Aesthetics: The Carlo Monzino Collection.

No comments about Hellenistic sculpture.

1 comments about Bead Setting Diamonds With Pave Applications.

1. Mr. Wooding is very detailed in the instruction,and the illustrations are easy to follow and to understand. a great value for the price.

1 comments about White Ironstone: A Survey of Its Many Forms : Undecorated, Flow Blue, Mulberry, Copper Lustre (Schiffer Book for Collectors With Value Guide.).

1. This is a surprisingly comprehensive overview for such a small book (173 pages). Decent photography shows the shapes, makers' marks and various decorative motifs that are traditional to white ironstone. The pricing guide is helpful and the bibliography will help expand your interest.

No comments about The Pictish Symbol Stones of Scotland (Rcahms).