2 comments about Like Breath on Glass: Whistler, Inness, and the Art of Painting Softly (Sterling & Francine Clark Art Institute).

1. If you like Whistler you will like this book. After I got my Turner book I was more interested in it and didn't finish this book.



2. The often ignored "Tonalist" movement finally gets its due in this exquisite catalogue of what must be a remarkable exhibition. The reproductions are beautifully controlled (thank goodness for modern printing technology) and broadly selected. There are a few nice surprises (Crane, Steichen!!, and Carlsen stand out), along with the expected Whistler, Twachtman, and Inness. The inclusion of a section on American lyrical abstraction was also a nice linkage. For any serious collector of art books this tome is an essential.

2 comments about Sensorium: Embodied Experience, Technology, and Contemporary Art.

1. A very well organized and articulate contribution to embodiment theory.See especially the entries by Jones.



2. This is must in the library of anyone who studies or practices new media art.

5 comments about Frida Kahlo.

1. This book is one I have been wanting for awhile, so it was very exciting to finally have a copy. I studied Frida's work whilst at University and have remained an admirer of what she stood for and what she created.This book is firstly a lovely hardcover, with good photos of her work. It includes written reference to her life in Mexico, her family, loves, creativity and sadness. I have previously read work by Hayden Herrera so this book met my expectations from that perspective. If you find Frida's story and work intriguing, then this will be something to add to your art book collection. Personally I enjoyed this very much but if you are new to her work then this is an excellent reference book to start with.



2. I bought this book after seeing the landmark exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The show included a number of photographs from Kahlo's own albums and from other photographers. What startled me was the difference between the woman we see in the photos and the person Kahlo shows us.
   
   The photos show a person who is more vital, more dynamic than the iconish character that Kahlo paints. I appreciate the usual art history stuff about her biography and influences, but I wish someone had the courage to approach the distortions that made her art.
   The reproductions in this book are excellent and I passed it on to my daughter who, like many women of her generation, finds Kahlo to be a touchstone.



3. I have several books on Frida Kahlo in fact an earlier version written by the same author, but I felt this addition stands on its own & warrants keeping as there is enough new information, visuals to make it a keeper.



4. My wife and I saw the recent Frida Kahlo exhibit at the Walker in Minneapolis. We both thoroughly enjoyed it. I bought the book "Frida Kahlo" on line from Amazon as a gift for my wife. My wife has a bad back as did Frida. The pain in her body comes through in her art, and I think my wife felt a strong connection with Frida. My wife loved the book, and she was very happy with the gift.



5. To say that this is a major catalogue from a major exhibit is to ignore the more important point...this is a collection of brilliant essays on Kahlo and stunning photographs of her painting and related works and people in the Kahlo circle, but also Mexican folk art, history and the modernist movement in Mexico. He is also a thrilling writer and critic on the use of allegory and on Kahlo and RIvera's hatred of what Zamudio-Taylor calls "the modern capitalist universe" against which both Kahlo and RIvera rewrote "Mexico's fragmented and violently interrupted history." As Z-T states, "Kahlo's mexicanidad prefigures postmodernism's distrust of progress and linear readings of history. This, most striking article, however, by Zamudio-Taylor who has apparently had extensive contact with her work and its curiatorial special questions, emphasizes Kahlo's work as existing at the cross-roads of a history and of conflicting narratives. He links her concerns not only with other Mexican painters and writers, but also the avant-garde in Paris; namely, Andre Breton. This article is amazing both for its erudition and its multi-dimensionality and detail.
   This work is a collection also of fabulous paintings, photographs, time lines and for these reasons it is a must have in any library on Mexican art, modernism etc. Z-T is perhaps the most formidable of the authors of essays, but the book has also other major contributors, ie Carpenter, but especially Hayden Herrera and who interrogate Kahlo's legacy also as it influences those who followed, while also following up on the specific riffs in the work of others on the body, on the poetics of self that have their roots in Kahlos combustive images.

No comments about Jewish Museums of the World: Masterpieces of Judaica.

5 comments about Fine Art Publicity, 2nd Edition: The Complete Guide for Artists, Galleries, and Museums (Business and Legal Forms).

1. Fine Art Publicity has some very good ideas about marketing and publicity. We just opened an art gallery, and have already had a few articles published in local newspapers thanks to the suggestions in this book.



2. I am writing a business plan to open an art gallery.
   Even though I already know how to market service businesses,
   I need to learn a lot about marketing an art gallery. I
   found a trove of very good advice in this book. I appreciate
   the easy layout and readability also. I expect anyone
   with an art business can find ideas here.



3. The majority of art career guides come from either career counselors or artists themselves, so it's refreshing to note that Fine Art Publicity: The Complete Guide For Galleries And Artists, appearing in its second updated edition, is written by an industry publicist backed by the knowledge of her profession. Galleries and artists receive the basics of marketing to the art community; from researching a media list for both local and national contacts to locating businesses connected to the arts, and gathering a library of samples for targeted publicity contacts. Simply an outstanding reference; a 'must' for aspiring artists and gallery owners alike.



4. I dont usually write reviews, but I completely disagree with the bad review on here. This is an incredibly useful book for art galleries. I can't express how helpful this book has been to me. This is a guide for galleries not artists, so maybe that's why the last reader had issues.



5. I buy alot of books but I have never before seen a book written for an adult audience spread so thinly over so many pages. I suppose this was done to try to create the illusion of there being more information here than there really is. What little useful information this book contians seems to be repeated over and over. I would guess again to fill pages. I feel there is virtually no practical information here for an artist and very little for a gallery. I usually don't have an interest in writing book reviews but I was so disappointed in this book that I wanted to alert others to search elsewhere for useful information.

No comments about Fritz Scholder: Indian/Not Indian.

No comments about Maria Sibylla Merian and Daughters: Women of Art and Science.

5 comments about Inside the Business of Illustration.

1. If after reading this book you still want to be an illustrator, then you may have enough drive to make it. This book doesn't paint a rosy picture, nor should it. Talent, business savvy and realistic goals are all part of the equation. Understanding the difficulties and learning how to deal with them and staying creative is a challenge. Find your niche. Strive to be the best at it and understand this career will consume you. And if you want a life outside of illustration make sure you have an understanding partner and friends who support your career!
   
   Having worked as a freelance illustrator for over 20 years, I can say from experience that there is a lot of truth contained within this book. I definitely would recommend it to anyone starting out or wanting to learn more about illustration and the history regarding this profession. I wish something like this was available when I was starting out, because it would have saved me a lot of time.
   
   4 stars because it doesn't cover other pertinent business matters such as copyright registration, self-employment issues like healthcare, taxes and such. This is not a bible for illustration, it is more of an overview. I wish it had covered more categories in depth but there are other books available out there.



2. I haven't read the whole book yet, but so far, I've learned a lot. I'm only a second year illustration student, but I feel like I'm almost ready for the freelancing world just after reading some of this. Tons of insider information that I gather most illustrators don't learn until they've been working 5 to 10 years.



3. What more can I say...I found it informative and helpful, and I have now read it more than once and refer back to it as needed. I highly recommend it to any one considering a career in illustration.



4. Steven Heller & Marshall Arisman's guidance is invaluable in today's market, this book is a must have for the struggling professional or for the newly graduate seeking to stake their claim. In fact I'd go so far as to say this book SHOULD BE REQUIRED READING at every art school in the country offering illustration courses.
   
   First let me say that for those of you reading this review who don't know who Steven Heller & Marshall Arisman are, you should, and here's why; Heller is the director of the NY Times Book Review, co-chair of the MFA design program at the School of Visual Arts (one of the best, THE BEST drawing curriculums in the county) as well as author of almost one hundred books in the graphic design field. He's been in the business a long time, seen it from the artist side, seen it from the political side and can help make or break a career at least from the perspective of a children's book illustrator. Mr. Arisman is one of the living legends of Illustration with artwork in major U.S. museums, every national magazine and is chair of the MFA program (Illustration as Visual Essay) at the School of Visual Arts.
   
   The interview-style of the introduction to this book is repeated throughout as each chapter is brought to a close with a discussion between these two legends. That doesn't mean however that the kernels of wisdom and genuine professional opinions are repetitive. First they talk about the decline, and now the re-birth of Illustration in America, the springing up of stock illustration houses, how artists need to position themselves with respect to the marketplace, developing a unique personal voice, and working with art directors. How much risk should there be in a portfolio? How much can or should an artist trust the company they are being hired to work for? "Relating to business, most illustrators are in make up class." And from there, the rest of the book takes off.
   
   There are several sections that outline the do's and don'ts - lots of them. Everything from How to interact with a director, preparing for portfolio reviews, promotional pieces and the importance of professional organizations is the foundation for much of the book to follow.
   
   Chapters include the importance of style, how you develop it and how to show it off, new media, the importance of authorship ("Therefore, it is incumbent to the savvy illustrator to build...a diversified portfolio....Your overall illustraion practice should include both works produced exclusively for clinets as well as for yourself that can be turned into original projects."), licensing & editing your works, self promotional pieces, and ethics. I found the discussions about style ("Style is driven by your view of the world, not by a technical procedure.") and Promotion invaluable. For those two chapters alone the book more than paid for itself.
   
   A third section of the book is a series of short but concise interviews with illustrators and art directors. They include: Steven Brodner, Brad Holland, Leo & Diane Dillon, Robert Parada, Nathan Fox, Ward Sutton, Robert Newman (of Real Simple), Chris Curry (the New Yorker), Richard Winkler (Curious Pictures) just to name a few.
   
   A beautiful speech by Milton Glaser serves as the icing on the cake. He talks in depth about our culture's current state of endless consumption, the effects of television on visual literacy and the relationship it has on everything around us. A totally brilliant ending!
   
   Steven Heller's other book, (which I also have and was personally a little disappointed in) "The Education of an Illustrator" seems much more philosophical and aimed at correcting art school education. If I had to choose between which one to buy, I'd recommend this one hands down, every time. Inside the Business of Illustration is NOT a follow-up, if anything it's the bare bones BIBLE for learning how to survive and thrive in the business.



5. very good inside information on dealing with clients and getting jobs...it was a required book for one of my illustration classes

No comments about Take Your Time: Olafur Eliasson.

5 comments about Business Graphics: 500 Designs that Link Graphic Aesthetic and Business Savvy.

1. Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RYFOZGMU0LTIP This book is a collection of design applied across all sorts of corporate marketing materials. The variety included is great.
   
   Materials included are logos, stationery, brand campaigns, brochures, newsletters, websites, sales collateral, packaging, financial publications, annual reports, direct mail, promotional items.
   
   For depth, the book has 15 case studies. Each describes the project goal, design problem and solution. In these case studies, we get to see how design is applied across different design medium.
   
   Graphic designers doing corporate projects should find this book useful. Marketers too.
   
   There are more pictures of the book on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.



2. Steve Liska has created a gorgeous book - as elegantly designed and rendered as the projects he has chosen to highlight. These carefully selected case studies offer rich examples of the power of design and the importance of aesthetics in developing strong business brands and identntities. This beautifully illustrated book should not only appeal to artists and graphic designers, but to anyone who appreciates the beauty of high quality design. The pages are filled with outstanding examples of design, along with insightful commentary.



3. This book does an extraordinary job of both highlighting and discussing the important subtleties that separate exquisite and effective business graphics from mediocre and unappealing modes of design. The book showcases brilliant work from the portfolios of the best communication design firms out there. Business Graphics is also nicely laid out and employs a clear and insightful writing style.



4. This thing is a freakin' encyclopedia of graphic
   design. I love to run across cool stationery or well
   designed communication stuff. This book is chock full
   of it. I've been going on a bunch of websites that I
   learned about in the book--cool, hip sites I've never
   heard of before. The book itself is beautifully
   designed and it showcases so much good design. If you
   care about this stuff at all, this book is not to be
   missed.



5. I would strongly recommend this book. It's great to see amazing design and understand the thinking behind it. The book is well organized and nicely written.