No comments about Patronizing the Arts.

3 comments about Gustav Klimt: Landscapes.

1. Klimt has always been a problematic artist. In contemporary terms, he was a sell-out, but that hardly addresses the situation of a man good with the brushes a hundred years ago trying to make a bit more than a decent living for himself. That was the Nouveau years. The panels and friezes and commissions, the society portraits, the weird freaky paintings with all the gold paint. The man had great talent, and there's that reason that to this day you can buy prints and posters and postcards of his most famous paintings. I happen to own a "Die Kusse" night-light.
   
   It is terribly refreshing to own a volume dedicated to the man's landscapes. For the most part, these were paintings Klimt did for himself while vacationing with his friends in the summer months. They were not meant for sale. Often they were done in an audacious--for the time--square format. A few of the canvases are pretty tedious. But a great number are inspiring and terribly original. It's great to see the lot collected, and well-worth the look, not to mention purchase.



2. Klimt seems to be best known for his figuratives - any study of his work should include his landscapes. A very nice book with good color plates.



3. It is a pleasure to have access to these beautiful works, which are more frequently overshadowed by the attention given to images of people and mythic figures for which Klimt is best known. These landscapes are revealing of both the subject matter and of Klimt the artist as he probed the composition and colors of the places that intrigued him.

5 comments about 2008 Artist's & Graphic Designer's Market.

1. This book has everything an artist (or graphic designer) could possibly want and need to know in order to make a successful approach to 'making it' in the arts world. It is motivational in a practical way... Just really interesting and helpful!



2. I'm very excited about the sources his book offers. The author did a great job explaining how the book works so that someone who was new to the book (like me) could use it easily. I'm excited to see if I can make extra money using it!



3. This book is a MUST read for anyone looking to earn money from their art. The information provided is invaluable and they answered questions I did not even know to ask! Will DEFINATELY purchase every year.



4. well, you get what you pay for. It's a good resource for someone starting out who isn't ready to dish out hundreds of dollars for a mailing list. But half the listings are obsolete, or old adresses, old art directors.
   
   Also it hasn't really kept up with the times... most illustrators these days aren't looking to design flower patterns for dixie cups. 3/4 of that book is irrelevant to me. Of course it's probably targeted at part time crafters, flower pattern designers, and the mid life crisis "Im going to write and illustrate a children's book" rather than professional illustrators.
   
   If somebody published a seriously updated & comprehensive illustrator's market book I would pay a lot more than $20 for it though.



5. This book is quickly becoming a source of information that I frequent. It is much easier to quickly find information in a combined source than weeding through thousands of websites and "googled" information to find the contact information that is relevant for my endeavors.

5 comments about The Many Faces of Mata Ortiz.

1. I've personaly been to Mata Ortiz and everything the book contains is acurate! Go ahead and buy it, of course there is no substitute to actualy going there but this will give you a great idea of how things are.
   Thanks!



2. We just visited Mata Ortiz, and it is great to be able to connect all the faces and stories with the beautiful objects these humble artists create.



3. "The Many Faces of Mata Ortiz" is a treasure trove of information about the treasures that are the Mata Ortiz people and pottery. It is well laid-out, well written, and well...wonderful!! The only thing that would make my copy better are autographs by Juan Quezada himself and every other potter in the book.
   
   Unfortunately for whatever reason, Juan's son Alvaro is not featured in the book. He is indeed an exceptional artist.
   
   I was able to meet Alvaro and Juan Quezada in Nov 2006 in their family gallery in Mata Ortiz and found them and their entire family to be humble friendly and genuinely thrilled that people love their wonderful creations.
   
   If you have not had the opportunity to visit Mata Ortiz, "The Many Faces of Mata Ortiz" will inspire you to go. If you have, it will make you pine for it and it's people.



4. This is a great book for all that are curious about Mata Ortiz pottery and the people who make it. If you want to start collecting, it's a great book to have for a reference source. All artists mentioned in this book are of high caliber, as good, some even better than the Native American potters of the Southwest. At this time, these wares are also less expensive and affordable to most people. Hopefully they will be a good investment for the future.
   
   Susan Moesch



5. A wonderful collection of photographs combined with dialoge about this remote village in Mexico. It describes the journey to get there, then details the lives of the talented people who live there. The photogtaphy is outstanding. A must for any person collecting or thinking of collecting pottery from this village.

1 comments about Unmonumental.

1. The book came to me in perfect condition and the content, well, anyone interested in the most current and contemporary sculpture today should have this book. Some of the artists will be familiar, some not, but all are doing quality work edging along the boundaries of what we call sculpture today.

5 comments about The Writer's Brush: Paintings, Drawings, and Sculpture by Writers.

1. This is the bargain of the year. Wonderful full-color plates and extremely interesting biographies of the writer/artists.



2. I had seen a brief review of the book on t.v. prior to the holidays & ordered it for a friend of mine who is an avid reader & also dabbles in painting. He positively LOVED it, and this is a man who is not easy to please.....He said the book was insightful & gave glimpses into the other artistic side of writers....



3. This book is truly a treasure! Every page unveils little known talents and secrets of literary artists whose talents as painters, sculptors, and so on are every bit as fascinating as their written work. What is even more special is that the artists include such an immense variety of men and women from various periods of history. It is not a book to be read page-by-page, but like the greatest culinary delights from truffles to the purest chocolates, it needs to be savored in small, rich, fulfilling portions. I expect to see The Writer's Brush published in other languages, if that, indeed, has not already begun.



4. The Writer's Brush is a remarkable achievement. It's a unique work that is simultaneously a very interesting read and a valuable resource. The collection of artwork is a window into the oft unknown alternate lives of many of our best known writers. It is fascinating to see the artwork of Joseph Conrad, Winston Churchill, Emily Bronte and Kurt Vonnegut, Kipling, Ibsen and Ionesco... who knew that their talents transcended the page to the canvas. I am also enjoying learning about authors that I didn't recognize and then seeking our their writings. Bravo.



5. I just got this book, and it is one of the best literary compendia I have ever seen or read. I love learning more about some of my favorite writers and was surprised at how talented some were - some I never knew painted - and it was strange to see how some of the art would have been what you expect, and some wasn't. For example I am a huge Dostoyevsky fan and his drawings looked a little ragged and strange and dark like his characters. I didn't know he drew in the margins of his manuscripts. At over 400 pages I will probably spend the next 10 years taking this book down from the shelf to read the quick bio and look again at the art of a writer who comes up in conversation around our house or who I am reading...Really beautiful and inspiring book.

No comments about Poussin and Nature: Arcadian Visions (Metropolitan Museum of Art).

5 comments about AirCraft: The Jet as Art.

1. The content of this book is beautiful and exactly as expected. Honest, highly detailed photography of aircraft.
   
   The Actual book I received from amazon however, was a big disappointment. The book was badly damaged and covered in dirt and scratches. The cover was creased and a corner was dented in as if some piece of machinery had tried to force the book into too small a space. Amazon issued a prompt replacement which was in only slightly better condition. unacceptable for an art book sold as new. order with caution.



2. This book has the very best set of aircraft photographs I have ever seen. The precision the photographer used in perfectly focusing, exposing and framing the subjects is astonishing. You can literally see the rivets on the aircraft, and as an aviation photographer, I can tell you that is a very difficult accuracy to achieve.
   
   I was reluctant to buy a book containing pictures of only the underside of airplanes. I thought "There must be other photos, too. Who would ever shoot only the bottom of an airplane?" Well, the bottoms are all you'll see, but wow, are they interesting. I love this book.
   
   This book is for you if you want to see:
   1. Astonishing photography. The exposure is wonderful. You can easily make out detail in the wheel wells, as well as the underside of the fuselage and wings
   2. A very detailed look at the underside of 100 commercial aircraft (and maybe 3 front views) revealing all of the seams, doors, probes, slats, flaps, and landing gear (all the pictures are in the full landing configuration, shot on final approach)
   
   However, this book has absolutely no text, other than the name of the aircraft on each page. So, if you want to read about the features of the aircraft or get information about the airline industry, this book won't do that for you. Also, if you want pictures of the "livery" of airliners, you won't see that here, either, except for the little bit that is on the underside of the jets.



3. How refreshing to come across a technology art book. Artists, of course, have realized the beauty of the machine for decades, especially with the Modernist movement in Europe during the Twenties and Thirties. Charles Sheeler was perhaps the leading American photographer to appreciate the exciting visual form of technology. Now photographer (and designer because he did the book's layout) Jeffrey Milstein brings it bang up to date with these stunning photos of jet bottoms.
   
   I thinks it's worth saying that if you like the technical detail aspect of aircraft maybe this book isn't for you but if you want to see crisp, precise photos of contemporary jets from a very unusual angle you'll enjoy the forty-two shown in these pages. There are some profile shots and seven front-on ones but neither of these can capture the fascination of the undersides.
   
   The book is a treat to look through thanks to the square twelve inch by twelve format with the jets handsomely printed (in 250dpi) on good paper. There is a visual extravaganza of a double foldout (to forty-six inches across) of the 'Indian Princess' Virgin Atlantic Airbus A340-600 so if you ever sat in the window seat on the right-hand side of this particular jet here's a rather unusual flight memento for you. My only criticism is that the list of aircraft on a spread in the back is alphabetical rather than page number sequence and some spreads, amazingly, have no numbers.
   
   A second volume Jeffrey?
   
   ***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.
   
   



4. I like this book because it presents something we always see but never take the time to really look at. It transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. By omitting everything except the orthogonal view of the plane, we are able to see new aspects of its design. Get a copy.



5. For the passenger aircraft enthusiast, this is an amazing book. The author/photographer has captured, from a very consistent angle, the landing configuration of passenger aircraft that are flying today. The excellent photographs of each plane have been set against a white background that eliminates the distraction of any other surrounding elements and focuses one's view on the plane itself. A very interesting study of passenger aircraft, each photograph reveals details and the differences in wing shape, flaps in landing configuration, nacelle shape, landing gear, navigation lights, etc. that are otherwise only seen in fleeting moments when one is lucky enough to have a plane fly directly overhead just seconds before touchdown. Again, an amazing book!

5 comments about Art Dealer's Field Guide: How to Profit in Art, Buying and Selling Valuable Paintings.

1. Well written, informative, and motivating. A how-to guide for those interested in buying, selling, and/or investing in art. Provides a broad range of resources. Fun and exciting to read!



2. Art Dealer's Field Guide is the only book on the market that teaches the "art" of making money in the art world. Ron Davis generously shares his many secrets gleaned from a lifetime dealing in art. A must read for novice and expert alike.



3. I'm new to the field and had no idea where to turn for advice. Thank you for writing this!



4. Ron Davis' book was exactly what I was looking for as a new dealer/collector just getting into the art world. It provided me with an abundant amount of information to get me started with my quest to develop the skills I desire to make educated transactions. It think as a beginner that this was a great place for me to start. I am very excited to continue my self-education and now I know how. Thanks,
   Ron!



5. I'm relatively new to art collecting, and found this book to be helpful and practical. I learned a lot from it. Recommended.

1 comments about Masters: Porcelain: Major Works by Leading Ceramists (Masters).

1. I have to say,I am in love with lark 500 books,and this publication is no exception!
   Porcelain is a tricky clay body to work with.I have tried it,and managed it,but still have not the capacity or patience for shrinkage,coloration,or for the historical fact that at one time, the clay was made from ground bones of the deseased!- even though some of my own stuff is in permanent gallery collections,according to what I have seen in this book,I am still an amateur. The wide variety of styles,colorations and applications of techniques held are more than most people can absorb in a single viewing. It's a volume that will last me,for years to come.
   
   Very,very,highly recommended.If you want a library of the best of the best,to your personal tastes,this is a book to have and own.