2 comments about Gardens of Pleasure: Eroticism and Art in China.

1. Maybe it wasn't altruism that led Bertholet share his collection in this book. I'm grateful anyway. It's an outstanding collection of Chinese erotic art, from about the end of the 17th century to the late 19th. The works here are all silk paintings, except for a few drawings. They are printed in beautiful color, large enough for easy reading, with expanded details of a few. Bertholet adds plenty of useful commentary (much of which I skipped, I admit). He also adorns most pages with brief extracts from classic Chinese poetry, all on the topic of physical love.
   
   Two things stand out in every artwork and in the collection as a whole. First is the gentle, consensual tone. The closest thing to aggression is a jealous wife twisting the ear of a husband caught 'in flagrante,' and that's more humorous than anything. Voyeurism, whether peeking in on a lady's solitary pleasure, secret viewer of a couple's engagement, or the reader's own participation with the artwork, is always un-threatening. Humor is always close to the surface, the natural good humor of happy people.
   
   The second thing that strikes a Western eye is the very non-Western conventions these artists followed in rendering men and women. The figures are very similar - women aren't given the guitar figure one might expect, and men have rounded and nearly hairless bodies. Women's breasts get only a little attention, and are covered by a bandeau or bib in many scenes. Genitalia aren't exaggerated, and their realistic scale may jar an eye that expected size and importance to go together.
   
   But that's why these works are so enjoyable. They aren't Western, they're a very different look at the thing all people have in common. They're still beautiful, both in the Chinese tradition and in the visual celebration of sex.
   
   //wiredweird



2. This stunning collection of more than 100 color illustrations from the Bertholet Collection is a magnificent achievement. Prestel has created a thoroughly engaging publication here, and never before has the world been able to view most of these breathtaking visions of love and sex from pre-modern China. Much of the visual works date to the 18th century. But, in addition to the visual feast, the entire book overflows with verses that match the age and mood of each work of art, as well as essays on the history of the art form, the effect of Taoism on erotica, Confucianism, the trials a husband undergoes getting his wife to accept a concubine, and even the history of Bertholet's collection itself, and lots more. This is a fascinating read! Intellectual, artistic, and even at times, quite humorous, this is a superb collection of erotic imagery and one of the most enjoyable publications one will find in this genre. This is one book that owners should proudly display on their "coffee-tables" for all to enjoy.

4 comments about Soda, Clay and Fire.

1. We purchased this book and were very impressed with the quality of the information. Tells you everything you need to know.



2. This book is a marvel. It's going to take a while to digest all the incredible information that Gail Nichols has shared from her years of exploration into soda firing. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in vapor firing.



3. Gail Nichols' volume is a welcome compendium of the rather sparse information published to date regarding soda fired clay. And although it is a first, it hits the target nicely. She balances technical information with aesthetic information (in the form of well-shot photographs) so that it will appeal to the soda pyromaniacs as well as the gallery enthusiast. Soda fired clay is a relatively new phenomenon growing out of the tradition of salt glazed ware. However, technically and aesthetically, the two traditions are not twins, nor even siblings. They are more like cousins. Nichols' research on the subject provides a wealth of data from which anyone serious about soda firing clay will benefit. Take her up on her offering. Read this book!



4. This book is an excellent source of information for anyone interested in Soda firing. I am new to atmospheric firings and found this a valuable resource. I would urge experienced and novice ceramacists to check out this book. There is a lot of very in depth information for seasoned soda firers, while enough general information to get anyone started down the right path.

2 comments about The Extruder Book.

1. The Extruder Book is a delight to the clay craftsperson! Full of timely information and beautiful photographs, it brings into focus a tool that can be as valuable as the wheel or kiln.
   
   *Expert instruction on making your own extruder dies
   *Step by step photos on several demonstrations of various uses of extruder
   *Comprehensive review of extruders available on the market
   
   If you are like me, you may have viewed the extruder as one of those frills that my studio could do without. After all, I reasoned, I like to pull my own handles, and isn't that what those extruders are for? Boy, was I wrong! The Extruder Book hooked me from the first chapter aptly entitled, "what is an extruder and why have one?"
   
   As I went on to learn, the extruder has many uses, from architectural ceramics to dishes, bowls and cups.



2. This is a great book for the person who wants to see the huge variety of things that can be made with an extruder, and who wants some ideas of how to make many of them. Some projects look straightforward (and could be made by a beginner) whereas others appear quite advanced. Some can be made with a smaller extruder, yet others required a much larger extruder. Many photos and drawings (some in color, some in black and white), with a lot of discussion about the various commercially available extruders and dies, as well as DIY extruders and dies. This is a comprehensive book, with a lot of discussion with a number of potters who actively use their extruders. It includes a number of "neat tricks" I found impressive. Definitely worth reading AND owning. This is the kind of book where you get ideas of things you want to make NOW, as you read it.

No comments about Illuminated Rumi 2009 Datebook.

No comments about Contemporary Glass.

1 comments about Ash Glazes.

1. Many beautiful photographs, exceptionally well written and a joy to read and use.

2 comments about Rich Larson's Bed & Bondage 1.

1. While no one can possibly deny Rich Larson's great skill at illustration, and with the admission that I wish I could draw with 1/100th of his talent, I can regretfully not give this book a good recommendation. The reason is both simple, and obscure. His artwork has always struck an odd chord with me, and while looking through this book, my unease solidified while reading his rather gruesome 6-page story. His work has no soul. It is technically accurate and extraordinary proficient, but lacks any real feeling. Even his more playful and fun illustrations, as in the cover, are somehow antiseptic. No fear, or desire, or amusement in his victim's expressions. The bondage is at times laughable, and is neither convincing, nor, lacking that, amusing. The book is almost all sketch work, and has the feel of someone who is posing models, rather than trying to be entertaining. Even the parts where he wants to be scary, it comes across as, well, two dimensional. Rich Larson is an extremely talented artist, who I hope finds a degree of passion in his future projects.



2. Fastner & Larson have been putting pen to paper and creating some of the most beautiful yet amusing women for some time and the pair are back in "Rich Larson's Bed & Bondage." As the title aptly suggests, Larson is putting his signature hotties in a variety of harrowing situations. In addition to the pin-up pages, there is also a six page strip called "Crule and Unusual." The work includes sketches and finished pieces as well as those gorgeous full-color covers.
   
   In Big Top of Horror, a mean old circus Ringmaster and his henchmen clowns have a couple of buxom babes tied up and ready to become the latest show attraction. Little Angels is shown both in sketch and finished painting form as two lingerie-clad beauties find themselves at the mercy of a pair of cute, but devious little cherubs. A damsel in utter distress is left tied to a post just outside the abode of a troll in Doorstep Delivery.
   
   The cover featuring that very buxom blond being tied to the bedposts by a quarter of little devils is called The Devil's Bed and is one of my favorite pieces in the entire book. The strip tells the story of Mr. Crule who makes Ebenezer Scrooge look like Santa Claus. A thoroughly rich and evil cyst of a man who controls everyone and everything in town. But Mr. Crule is about to get his just rewards from his Mistress Miss Harde.
   
   Rich Larson's Bed & Bondage is another delight for his fans and fans of bondage, pin-up, or good girl art and we can all thank SQP for delivering it to us!
   
   Reviewed by Tim Janson

5 comments about Cindy Sherman: Retrospective.

1. A good retrospective of Cindy Sherman.
   Decent printing and good editing.



2. I saw the Retrospective show at the Art Gallery of Ontario back in 1999 and bought the book right after at the gallery bookstore. I later went back and saw the show two more times and also read the book from cover to cover. IT IS FABULOUS. It is no wonder Cindy Sherman is considered to be one of the top ten most influential artists of the 20th century. I especially love the notes in the book, showing how she arranges her ideas, how she deliberately uses feminism and ideas that are disgusting in order to make her social statements. Her artwork is deliberately controversial and its not for all people. (Jerry Falwell once said that Sherman was "spawn of the devil", but who actually listens to him?) But if you like controversy and if you like artwork that makes you think, buy this book. - A Fellow Artist.



3. The images protrayed in the book come form a warped and sick mind and I believe that they are very degrading to women. No way would I recommend anyone to buy this book, or even call it art. Ever heard the saying "if you lay with dogs you get fleas" well if you want to sink into the gutter this is your book!



4. Just recieved this item, the book gets 4 stars for layout and image quality, a good art book. The book gets 2 stars for the quality of the work it contains.

   If you like Sherman than this is a good book for you,though I'd suggest re-evaluating you asthetic awarness :) If your looking for great art look elsewhere. Sherman is an overhyped artist. Popular because her work fits into the politically correct agendas and philosophies of the contemporary artworld, not because the work is good. Just read one of the reviews here. The book contains some good peices, some that are atleast interesting but far to many fall into the just plain bad category as represented in this book.

   While recently attending a group critique an undergradute ceramics major stated she was a "process orientated" artist(said with artsy fartsy flair to make up for the fact she really didn't have anything to show). Sherman reminds me of her, a bad contemporary cliche masking itself behind feminist artworld dogma. If thats what you want, look at Jenny Saville, atleast she is a good painter, even if her content is often trite.




5. I can't believe it's taken this long for a compilation of Cindy Sherman's body of work to appear. But maybe that's the real measure of a major artist in this place at this time. Sherman is one of the strongest,most meticulous and most original artists to appear since the early 1930s. I'm not going to analyze the photographs, they've been analyzed to death and are far beyond analysis in any case. Suffice to say the quality and layout are excellent. A thrilling book! I do have one reservation which has nothing to do with CS. The accompanying essays are highly ideological (which CS ain't) and serve Sherman far less than their own agendas plus at least one of them is almost unreadable mumbo jumbo.

3 comments about The Art of Al Rio Volume 2.

1. The Art of Al Rio Volume 2
   Great book! Covers are fantastic! The black and white art inside has a sharpness and clean lines that are beautiful very detailed well thought out
   design and execution.



2. Volume one was great, this is even better, Al's art is stunning, he draws sexy women, sexy, hot and very nice, clean art too. Great lines and curves, if you like good girl art and sexy gals, buy this book.



3. This second collection of Al Rio's artwork is a fine companion to volume one. Al draws strong, beautiful women and this is an excellent introduction to his artwork. Like volume one, these are all black and white drawings. Well worth the price.

3 comments about High Sierra of California.

1. I have been savoring this book since I got it. Some years ago I saw Tom Killion's prints at a small gallery in Carson City, NV and they are well reproduced here. The text is quite interesting too and the prints and stories work together beautifully to capture the spirit of this most magnificent place.



2. This book is stunning the woodblock prints are so beautiful they almost make you cry. We spend a lot of time in the sierras and this book shows the beauty of these mountains better than any photographs. Get the book
   look at the pictures then do your family a favor and go spend time in these incredible mountains.



3. hop up and down in your Teva sandals. Wade the great streams as they roar over round stones down from ancient peaks... dance the silver dance of the wild rainbow... but find a place in your ultralight backpack for this book. It deserves a place next to that bag of peanuts, your titanium cup; worth its weight in gold dust from the river, split pea soup from the pouch. Ancient shaman tales and woodcut journeys... yamabushi of the mind, and lots of white space for taking your own cryptic outerspace trailnotes...