The Artbook Shelf
MWBOOKREVW
Clay: A Studio Handbook
Vince Pitelka
The American Ceramic Society
735 Ceramic Place, Westerville OH 43081
1574980904 $40.00 www.ceramics.org
Vince Pitelka's Clay: A Studio Handbook is a comprehensive, highly detailed
manual on all the myriad ways to create and enjoy clay sculpture, from
hand-building to potter's wheels to kiln firing and glazes, to exhibiting and
marketing finished works. Written in sensible language easily understandable to
the lay reader or novice hobbyist, yet covering all the material a professional
needs to know, Clay: A Studio Handbook is the perfect guide for anyone with an
interest in learning or improving their clay craftsmanship, whether for fun or
for profit. Black-and-white photographs and drawings visually model the many
styles and techniques presented, making them easy to imitate. Clay: A Studio
Handbook is strongly recommended for anyone with a yearning to create
three-dimensional art.
In The Company Of Stone
Dan Snow
Artisan
708 Broadway, New York Ny 10003
1-57965-183-6 $35.00 1-800-722-7202
In The Company Of Stone isn't just a landscaper's book, but deserves a spot on
the art shelf as a survey of the art involved in building the stone wall. From
Snow's own experiences working in stone to the various alternative designs
offered by stone wall structures, In The Company Of Stone pairs black and white
photos by Peter Mauss with the author/artist's reflections.
Wings Of Twilight
Michael Kaluta
NBM
555 - 8th Ave. #1202, NY, NY 10018
1561632767 $24.95 nbmpublishing.com
Kaluta is one of comic art's most revered artists, providing a blend of graphic
color images and fantasy covers and designs which are rich in texture and
packed with content. It's especially pleasing to find all of his images under
one cover, from sketches and work from his comics to full-page color
presentations - many never seen before. Both prior fans and newcomers will find
Wings Of Twilight captivating.
Atlas Of Egyptian Art
Emile Prisse d'Avennes
The American University in Cairo Press
420 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10018-2729
9774245849 $44.50 www.aucpress.com
Atlas Of Egyptian Art was originally authored and illustrated by Emile Prisse
d'Avennes, one of the first and most mysterious modern pioneers of Egyptology,
who lived during the 1800's. The informative text withstands the test of time,
and the amazing 150 color reproductions of Egyptian art and artifacts are truly
a wonder to behold. The artistic skill of Emile Prisse d'Avennes has preserved
images even though some of the original works were later lost. These were the
first reliable, accurate drawings of ancient Egyptian art made available to the
non-specialist general readers in the West. A fascinating an beautiful book,
and a "must" for anyone with an interest in the clean, classical simplicity of
Egyptian art!
Designer's Survival Manual
Poppy Evans
How Design Books/F&W Publications
1507 Dana Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45207
1-58180-125-4 $32.99 1-800-289-0963
Graphic designers will appreciate an approach which covers the basics of how to
survive in the profession. From obtaining strong copy and locating the right
illustrator for the job to producing professional-quality photos and preparing
digital files, this covers all the details necessary to build professional
working relationships with writers, illustrators, Web technicians and others.
An essential reference.
Las Vegas With Love
Dorothy Rice
Glen House Communications
Box 3663, Beverly Hills, CA 90210-0666
0918269040 $85.00 1-310-475-4236
Las Vegas With Love is a lavishly beautiful, full-color collection of 256
original watercolor paintings by artist Dorothy Rice. Ms. Rice has provided
commentary notes on most of her paintings, which bring to life the vibrant
energy of the Las Vegas area in an unforgettable impression. Her
ever-so-slightly abstract, signature style is so unique that she is one of the
only Americans ever invited to create a mural in Mexico, a nation well-known
for its tradition of murals. Las Vegas With Love is an exemplary and highly
recommended showcase of her work, as well as a wondrous artistic showcase
featuring the best and most memorable facets of the amazing city Ms. Rice has
wonderfully captured upon the canvas.
An Intelligent Person's Guide To Modern Art
Stephen Farthing
Duckworth Publishing
22841 Quicksilver Dr., Dulles, VA 20166
0715629441 $21.50 www.ducknet.co.uk
An Intelligent Person's Guide To Modern Art is the latest book in the "An
Intelligent Person's Guide To..." series by Duckworth Publishing, which
includes volumes on Ethics, Philosophy, Modern Culture, and many more topics.
In this informative survey and critique, artist and author Stephen Farthing
argues that professional art is its own worst enemy, as many artists create
what he considers "tabloid art" that panders to the lowest common denominator.
Calling for artists to take control of publicity rather than let it control
them, An Intelligent Person's Guide To Modern Art holds back nothing, as I
offers a fiery, determined look at the triumphs and foibles of the artistic
world today. An Intelligent Person's Guide To Modern Art is a refreshingly
candid and highly thought-provoking, persuasive manifesto, enhanced with a
four-page insert of black-and-white photographs. Highly recommended for
students of modern art, as well as art history and theory.
Japan At The Dawn Of The Modern Age
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
295 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA 02115-5523
0-87846-620-7 $40.00
Japan At The Dawn Of The Modern Age is a specialty item which is recommended
for any collection concentrating on Japanese art. Woodblock prints from the
Meiji era are presented in a series of over 90 color illustrations which go
beyond the traditional perception of Japanese subjects as gardens and geishas.
These prints depicted current events and were painted in vivid colors, and
Japan At The Dawn Of The Modern Age captures their vibrant spirit, along with
history essential to understanding their meaning.
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Red Grooms: The Graphic Work
Red Grooms
Abrams
100 - 5th Ave., New York NY 10011
0-8109-6733-2 $75.00 1-800-759-0190
With its powerful introduction by Walter Knestric, childhood friend and owner
of the definitive Grooms print archive, and an essay by critic Vincent Katz,
this powerful collection both accompanies a traveling exhibition and stands
alone as a fine catalog of Red Grooms' graphic achievements. Full-page color
photos display print styles certain to be familiar to many.
Allworth Press
10 E. 23rd St. #510, New York NY 10010
1-800-492-2808
Paul Harris' Producing Your Own Showcase (1-58115-088-1, $18.95) provides a
winning examination of the theater and performing arts, explaining the legal
and practical issues of producing theater and providing tools for actors,
directors, and would-be production managers. From tips on skills needed to
produce to assessing performances and gaining funding, this provides solid
advice from seasoned pros. Rena Shagan's Booking & Tour Management For The
Performing Arts (095-4, $19.95) tells how to turn a booking into a tour, how to
set up the budgets and target prospects, and how to arrange everything from
transport to payday schedules. Chapters on what presenters need from artists
make the essential link between artist and businessman.