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.

3 comments about Zanesville Stoneware Company: Identification & Value Guide.

1. I am pleased to be associated with this Zanesville book. We are all indebted to Jon Rans that his hard work overcame some unforseen challenges. So, I trust Rans will follow up with a further encylopedic sequel to this real heartland story of history, people, commerce, art and industry during periods of massive cultural changes in America.



2. Great publication that reflects the brilliance of Jon Rans and his collaborators.
   One of the best pottery chronologies ever written considering that most of the records of this company were lost in a couple of trajic fires.

   Some of the pictures could be of higher quality and the layouts of the pictures vs. discriptions is a little confusing.




3. It was with pleasure that I received and read the first pass on the history of this long misunderstood pottery company. Although the author makes a good attempt to document the history he falls a bit short. Many followers of this pottery know the confusion regarding the business relationship between Zanesville Stoneware and Francis Duggan of The Old Pot Shop in Norwalk, Connecticut. Rans had the chance to set the record straight that Zanesville made all the Old Pot Shop marked pots but either chose not to or did not fully understand the relationship. Although this is perhaps the most important aspect of the history for the collector it received a mere short paragraph. The pictures are sufficient and good if one considers that this is the only resource other than original catalogs, but more time spent with lighting would have gone a long way. Good book for the pottery lovers shelf but one that will undoubtedly be improved upon some day.

3 comments about Modeling a Likeness in Clay (Practical Craft Books).

1. A valiant effort, but I found this book hard to follow...many of the essential steps seem to be missing...perhaps the book is geered towards only the advanced. I was dissapointed by the characterish results of the approach and was hoping for more of an attempt at "fine" art.



2. The author gives a step by step approach for modeling a likeness in clay. Very helpful and good at using calapers to get the correct demensions to start with. I would recommend Bruno Lucchesi's books also as he is a modern day master.



3. Mrs Grubbs has lots of talent, being a pedagogue is not the least of them. As she shares her technique with the reader, every step is thoroughly illustrated and commented. Numerous examples of specific situations are shown in detail along with the sculptor's comments.

   The first sections establishes the general principles governing the achievement of a likeness, going step by step through the measurements and accurate mass and volume placement, with practical demonstration.

   Further sections detail the progress of the work, and the end sections are practical examples of different portrait renditions of models which vary in age, sex, ethnic features, all being taken from actual work carried out by the artist.

   As Mrs Grubbs favors kiln-firing of her clay portraits, readers interested in this technique will also find very valuable information, and will learn how to properly prepare a portrait for this purpose.

2 comments about Japanese Treasures: The Art of Netsuke Carving in the Toledo Museum of Art.

1. There are interesting stories about every netsuke, good quality of photographies.



2. This is good book to start know about what NETSKE is. It introduces the brief background, type and techniques for Netsuke. What I like was the pictures of marvelous museum collection with notes. It is not thick book like others but it is enjoyable and enriches your mind.

1 comments about Lucio Fontana: 1899-1968 (Taschen Basic Art Series).

1. Lovely little book with an interesting selection of works.
   I'm very pleased to have it.Taschen is sterling in the art book market.

5 comments about Origami for Christmas.

1. The very best set of "how-to" instructions for origami folds ever put out with a holiday twist. Each illustration is clear, clean, and easy to understand. Each fold is thoroughly illustrated. You come away with a deeper understanding of overall origami design concepts, too. Plus - the color photos are great inspiration for your own decorating ideas. This book will unlock those other origami books that have great designs, but miss the mark on instruction and/or illustration. Own this book. Give this book.



2. This book had a couple decent ideas for Christmas decorations, but don't be fooled by the "origami" in the title. There were only a few standard origami models that you can find elsewhere just as easily (such as the Crane). Most of the rest of the models in the book were cut and paste types with a couple of folds. Over all, I was very disappointed with this book.



3. Origami for Christmas contains thirty-four origami creations that are presented with illustrations and easy step-by-step instructions. This book contains a nativity scene, Christmas wreaths, Santa Claus and his reindeer, greeting cards, tree decorations, flowers, baskets, and kirigami projects. There are enough projects to keep you busy for the whole year.



4. I was a little disappointed with this book. There weren't any new folds--just diagrams for the classic crane, waterbomb, etc. There are some good ideas for putting the various models together to make wreaths, christmas trees, and dioramas, as well as a nativity scene; but if you have a few basic origami books you won't need any of the folds in this one.



5. This book is awesome!!! This book has flowers, nativity scenes, Santa and his reindeer. With clear, easy to follow diagrams, this book makes the grade. This book will challenge beginners and has terrific plans for the more experienced folder.

2 comments about Living Materials: A Sculptor's Handbook.

1. The good news is that this is probably the best book available on the materials of sculpture. The bad new is that it was written twenty years ago. (This paperback edition may have been published in 1988, but AFAIK, the text was unchanged from the original 1983 version.)

   If you are interested in traditional forms, then this book probably covers everything you need. But if you want information on any materials and/or techniques that came into use post-1970's, you're out of luck. Plastics are a good example: urethane and silicone molding rubbers are given a cursory mention, even though they are quite common now. I don't think polyurethane casting resins (Por-a-kast, Poly 15, etc.) or polyurethane glues (Gorilla Glue, ProBond, etc.) are mentioned at all.

   The wood section is surprisingly thin, with a bias toward subtractive methods (carving), even though wood construction is as common--if not more common--in contemporary work.

   While there are plenty of photos (all black and white) of classic sculptures, there are a lot of unbelievably bad pieces illustrated--probably chosen for their materials rather than quality. Some are downright hideous.

   This is a good resource, but be aware that it is no longer comprehensive.




2. This is a supurb reference book for a working sculptor. It covers stone and wood carving, as well as most major 20th century materials, from plastics to masonry to metal fabrication techniques. Nothing on fabrics or paper though. The illustrations are exciting and fairly thorough, with an emphasis is on innovative work. This is the one book I would want to take with me if shipwrecked on a desert island!

4 comments about Mosaics of the Greek and Roman World.

1. All thru Italy I took pictures of the floors, I hope to make them into quilts. This book is an excellent reference, I could have bought it first and looked at the other sites while I was on vacation.



2. I bought this book because I have always appreciated the beauty of mosaics and I want to install some in my house someday. This book provides a thorough (but not tedious) explanation of the history of, and original purposes for, mosaics. The pictures and explanations provide a good understanding of the art form (although many pictures in black and white may frustrate some readers). However, if you couldn't care less about the history of mosaic art, and you are only interested in making some cute mosaic items to give as gifts or to decorate small surfaces in your home yourself with your own original designs, you may be happier with one of the more basic mosaic design books available on Amazon. If you have an appreciation for art history, however, this book will not disapoint.



3. I purchased this book to gain color references for the mosaics.....unfortunately, the majority of this book contains black and white plates. If you are planning on using this book as a reference for color, forget it.



4. The new book by Katherine Dunbabin is a welcome addition to the already excellent catalogue of Cambridge Press. Ms. Dunbabin once more proves her value as a historian by showing that the study of Art in ancient times goes beyond aesthetics and the sphere of nobles and palaces. Her work on Section II "Technique and Production" brings to life the craftsmen and workshops that made the mosaics, but also the social relationships involved in the creation of all forms of Art. Another strong point of the book is the quality of the images depicted in it, both the photo reproductions and the graphic drawings of the mosaics are astounding. The variety of subjects shown in the mosaics allow the modern reader to have a pretty good idea of the ambiance and way of life of the times. It is also interesting that at the end of each chapter Ms. Dunbabin indicates a list of related bibliography with recent works. I can only be sorry that her own classical work "The Mosaics of Roman North Africa" is out of print. This pioneer work should be reprinted.

No comments about Totem Poles: An Illustrated Guide (Museum Note).

5 comments about Quick & Easy Gifts in Polymer Clay.

1. I love this book! It's the best of all of Lisa's books. She uses foil a lot in her projects, and the effect is gorgeous and glittery. There are also a variety of projects to decorate your home, jewelry, and even your car. At the end of each chapter is a section of tips from Lisa and other polymer clay artists. These little tips really help a lot.



2. If you like to create boring items like, a clay covered pen, or fork and spoon, a clay framed license plate cover, this is the book for you!
   Not only are the items dumb and boring, but she expects you to run out and buy all the extra products just to make one. Nice of her huh?



3. I really love the funky and sophisticated projects offerred in this book. Lisa's classy fashion style is really what makes this book special. I recommend all of her books to my students but this one is just filled front to back with really cool and stylish projects. Another nice touch was the gallery filled with several variations on most projects. It really is amazing how just a color scheme change can make over a project.
   
   Kudos Lisa!!!



4. Lisa has knocked another one out of the ball park. I can't believe how great these projects are while being so easy. I expected them to be simplistic, but I am pleased with the level of sophistication in the projects even though they're easy to make. I've already made several from the book and Lisa's trademark style of simple, clear instructions, along with lots of great pictures is making it hard for me to make time to do anything else since buying it. Lisa's first book got me started and all of the tips she includes has made it easy for me to become a seasoned clayer. I loved her second book as much as the first and was hopeful her latest offering would do the same. It exceeded my expectations. I can't wait for the next one and her DVD. Lisa, you have a fan for life!
   
   Davita Does Clay



5. I bought this book for my husband (who is new to polymer clay) and me (I've been "claying" for years). It has lots of great tips. The directions are easy to understand and the pictures are excellent.