Subjects:  1. Expeditions & Discoveries    2. Photo Essays    3. Photoessays & Documentaries    4. Photography    5. Subjects & Themes - Erotica    6. Subjects & Themes - Nudes    7. Erotic art    8. Photographs: portraits   

Reviews (5)

Beautiful to look at but..................
I LOVE this book as something to look at and a source for insiration.However, I was expecting to be able to make some of the projects.Without a full assortment of jewelry making tools, glass cutting tools and soldering tools (all are need for nearly every project)its just not possible.I was disappointed.

Pretty little things run rampant!
This book is intriguing.A virtual feast for the eyes every time you look at it.I am on my third reading now and I am still finding new excitement as I absorb the huge amount of information and ideas tucked within the gorgeous photos and ideas.Her style is completely apart from my style of artwork. She is obviously more successful with her style, after all I am in the armchair in my robe reviewing her book.While she is in her wonderful chandelier filled studio producing.
Gosh, I love this book. It's yummy..
This book will make you want to go out and try that soldering iron. The peek into her studio is so inspiring. Sally Jean is very talented and funny. The projects are diverse and just lovely to look at. Try a few and put your own look into it. With this book and her directions you can be making your own pretty little things in no time.
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Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Assemblage Art    3. Collage    4. Crafts & Hobbies    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Paper Crafts    7. Papercrafts    8. Handicrafts   

Reviews (1)

Creative, engaging and edgy
This is a fascinating look into an aspect of Japanese culture I never knew existed.Joan Sinclair got incredible access -- access not only to the actual establishments, but access to the inner lives of some of these women and men whom she portrays with honesty and integrity.She has a fresh, exciting lens which comes through not without a revolutionary edge.This is an original.The intro by Farrer is also excellent. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Cultural And Social Anthropology    3. Human Sexuality    4. Japan    5. Nightclubs    6. Pictorial works    7. Psychology    8. Sex customs    9. Sex-oriented businesses    10. Social Science    11. Sociology    12. Art / Popular Culture    13. Erotic art    14. Photographs: collections    15. Pop Culture; sex; travel; Japan   

Reviews (3)

Pretty good book
I have taught a course on the Humanities using this book, and found it mostly spot on in its specific contents.How to present all of the Humanities using one paperback?But - with just a few exceptions - this presents a good first look and useful rules of thumb in approaching the various disciplines.In areas that are underserved, such as Landscape Art, it actually fills a void.I recommend it and will use it again.

Informative
I used this book for my introduction to fine arts class and thought it was very good. Easy to understand and follow, and gave good information straight out without haveing to search for defintions or other stuff.

If it were possible....
If it were possible to describe this book in stars it would be 0 stars.Here are just a few of the problems found within the text.1) Writing is boring.2) Some of the pictures are repeated in the black & white sections.3) The usage of webpages instead of having illustrations & pictures makes the text boring.4) No companion website for the web addresses noted.Read more

Subjects:  1. Aesthetics    2. Art    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Arts    5. Conceptual    6. Criticism    7. History - General    8. Philosophy    9. Art / General    10. The Arts: General Issues   

Reviews (33)

valuable
As a graphic designer, I spend most of my time on the computer and have sorely missed creating with my hands. This book is bringing me back to that in an exciting way. Contrary to some reviewers I am very glad the book doesn't indulge too much in Photoshop instruction (although it does give information aboutPhotoshop that is most relevant to the processes, like print specifications). That would be a waste of space because there are a gazillion Photoshop books out there, but these techniques are much more rare and need as much space as possible to teach them. The authors do a great job of this. Very clear, thoughtful and succint writing. No wasted words.
DEFINITELY INNOVATIVE !!!!
If you are a serious printmaker this book is a must have.It shows you how to combine traditional printmaking with digital printing, printing on different substrates, has great pictures and much more. YOU DONT NEED AN EXPENSIVE PRINTER TO FOLLOW THIS BOOK.I have an EPSON 1280 INKJET ($399) and it works great.The ideas and possibilities are endless. I highly recommended this book !

Technology and creativity
It's good to see someone use technology creatively. All too often "art" and "technology" are seen as mutually exclusive. These authors show that that is certainly not the case.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Assemblage Art    4. Digital & Video    5. Digital art    6. Ink-jet printing    7. Technique    8. Art techniques & materials    9. Image processing   

Reviews (18)

Unleash Yourself
When I first got this book, it was soooooooo busy, I looked and put it down.Over then next week I read, re-read, read, re-read.......and fell into her wonderful world.The next thing you know I was doodling with silver marker on anything I could find.Had the German Shepherd puppy slowed down enough I would have doodled him.Then I doodled flowers over the doodling, then I painted the flowers, then I collaged the canvas....should I go on. I need a 12 step program for this book.
Not for the faint of heart
If you are a beginner or not a serious collager this book is not for you.If you have been collaging for some time and looking for new techinques this book is great.If you are looking to find your true style or adding some fun to an exisiting style this book is for you The color explosion is worth buying the book.

The cure for art inertia is at hand !
This is quite a fantastic book.If you've been a fan of Sabrina Ward Harrison's books, for example, but couldn't figure out how to achieve those kinds of effects, this book will help you.I'm a novice but there were so many projects and ideas I wanted to try.Actually, it became overwhelming, especially at the end with the more advanced techniques using stitching and bookbinding, but there's plenty here to keep everybody going for a long time.Mainly Bautista shows us how to layer, layer, layer, and reminds us not to worry about finished effects.Also, she's a great fan of "leveraging" her art, which means to make numerous photocopies at various stages and keep the copies so that she always has a ton of stuff to work with and can build on previous ideas with new work.
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Subjects:  1. Assemblage Art    2. Collage    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Paper Crafts    7. Paper work    8. Papercrafts    9. Textile crafts   

Reviews (1)

"Inspired Designs, indeed"
I have admired Beryl Taylor's artwork for a long time, and eagerly looked forward to this book.Although I don't use fabric and sewing in my mixed media artwork, I am fully inspired
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Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Assemblage Art    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Paper Crafts    6. Papercrafts    7. Techniques - General    8. Needlework & fabric crafts   

Subjects:  1. Individual Photographer    2. Photo Techniques    3. Photography    4. Subjects & Themes - Children    5. Subjects & Themes - Erotica    6. Subjects & Themes - Nudes    7. Erotic art    8. Photographs: portraits   

Reviews (7)

A thought-provoking collection of Mapplethorpe's sex picture
This collection of pictures is bound in a good quality cover and printed on a glossy paper of reasonable quality. One word: Ouch
You can always debate whether this book is "art" or not, but thefact is I am worried about what happened to some of the subjects. Helmut? Are you okay?I think Mapplethorpe wanted to shock, and he did, but Ifound the pictures had too much pain in them to be appreciated.I wasdeadened to what Mapplethorpe wanted to say, if he wanted to say anythingat all.Ouch, ouch, ouch.

very good book
artistic and powerful,i recommend it ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions    2. Gay Studies    3. Individual Photographer    4. Nudes & Erotic    5. Photography    6. Subjects & Themes - Erotica    7. Subjects & Themes - Portraits    8. Erotic art    9. Gay studies (Gay men)    10. Individual photographers    11. Photographs: collections   

Reviews (4)

A great reference for both beginners and advanced potters
Making Marks is an excellent reference book that both beginners and advanced potters can benefit from.It delves into all aspects of potting, and not only illustrates the results that can be achieved, it provides the "how to" for many of the processes.Any potter who has this book in their library will never run out of ideas for creating unique pieces.

Books like this one -a definite necessity !
This is an exciting book, it is not just about painting marks on surfaces.The list of options is quite comprehensive from liquid slips, clay colour modifications, carving, underglazes,slip-trailing, lustre-ware and of course impressions and incisions made by tools.Robin Hopper is a master of clay due to the years he has be absorbed by it.He has used good quality work by various potters to display the different forms of decoration.
For the dabbler or those needing inspiration to try something new
While I'm relatively new to the art and craft of pottery, I beginning to find my own voice in my work.This book is helping me to think about differnet ways to express myself in my work.While I will probably never go out and buy a sand blaster or work with lusters, I know I have the inital reference source I need should I decide to go that way.
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Subjects:  1. Antiques    2. Ceramic Arts And Crafts    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Pottery & Ceramics    7. Ceramics   

Reviews (6)

Want to know more about Mata Ortiz and its potters?
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.
Mata Ortiz Pottery
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.

The Next Best Thing To Owning A Pot
Almost 40 years ago Juan Quesada from the village of Mata Ortiz in Chihuahua singlehandedly revived Casa Grande style pottery. This book is a beautifully illustrated account of his success, along with the other artists of the village who learned from him. Becoming familiar with these artists should lay to rest the notion held by many Americans that Mexican imports are second class. These paper-thin pots are as beautiful as any you will ever see. This book has color photographs of many of the potters from Mata Ortiz as well as pictures of their pots. There is information on how the pots are made-- they are all built by hand from native materials, painted with brushes made from the artists' children's hair and fired over cow dung.Read more

Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Ceramics    3. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - General    4. Criticism    5. Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies    6. General    7. Social Science    8. Sociology    9. Indians of North America    10. Description and Travel    11. Mexico   

Reviews (7)

500 Cups: Ceramic Explorations of Utility and Grace
It is a good reference book for the ceramic artist andcollector.It provides wonderful pictures, inspiration, and ideas.

A formidable tour of the art of ceramic cup-making
Anyone who thinks there is very little difference between one cup and another would have that notion blown away by simply flipping open any page of this book.When the teacher of a local community college pottery course saw this book, she asked everyone in her classes to refer to it before beginning to design their next cup projects.It opened their minds to some of the infinite possibilities available to practitioners of the potter's craft.

Awesome!!!
Lark publishes fabulous books for ceramic lovers and this is no exception. The Cup book is the series' third in my personal library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 21st century    2. Catalogs    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Drinking cups    6. History    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Pottery & Ceramics    9. COOKBOOKS - Cookbooks Gen TRD PB    10. Ceramics    11. Crafts & Hobbies / Pottery & Ceramics   

Reviews (1)

Working the Muse to Creative Delight
A brand new creative tool for the artistic life. New tools and guidance from artist's way creator Julia Cameron. Excellent for the journey along with Morning Pages, Artist Dates, and all the other goodies that Cameron has shared to artists around the world since 1992. Give the gift of the creative heart to yourself... you will be surprised in your dreams! I had heard of the Artist's Way in college and read a copy from time to time but when I really applied the practice in 2004 ... Cameron's informal mentoring did the trick to unblock my creative expression. My artistic dreams were focused on literary pursuits but a sudden interest in singing caught a life of its own when I joined a formal Artist's Way group composed of 7 people. Before I knew it the practice lead to a solo performance at a cancer benefit gala show where I sung "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack and was told I sounded alot like her. Nonetheless, if Cameron herself had told me in 2003 that I would be a singer (I've since joined a choir that does fundraisers around the city) ... even I would have laughed! The point is ... if you want your heart to lead the way ... allow the artist to thrive and express itself without intellectual editing ... and see your creative experiences soar! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Conceptual    3. Creativity    4. Personal Growth - General    5. Personal Guidance    6. Psychology    7. Study & Teaching    8. Self-Help / Creativity   

Reviews (28)

Absolutely Delicious
This book is chock full of gorgeous photos of altered book pages.It's one of my favorites to just browse through and be inspired and amazed at the creativity of these artists.Not a how-to book.But if you love looking at altered books, here's a chance to see the works of fourteen talented artists in one place.

great great book
Reading this book felt like I was visiting Lynne Perrella's studio. The photos are great - I could almost feel the texture on the original artwork. There is an endless number of ideas and techniques that can be applied into many mixed media projects. This book will keep me inspired for a long time.

Was hoping for more than an Idea book...
I like the images and they are very inspiring, but I found this book to be a big let-down for me. I was hoping for more insight on how the processes are done, not what the finished projects looked like.
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Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Assemblage Art    3. Collage    4. Crafts & Hobbies    5. Handicraft    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Paper Crafts    8. Paper work    9. Papercrafts    10. Crafts & Hobbies / General   

Reviews (16)

an interesting glimpse into alternative collage.....
i took a couple of altered photo workshops with karen many, many years ago (before the word altered photo became a phrase in itself) & was so pleased when her book came out. it's like one of her workshops in a book! what i enjoyed best about this book is that it is not a step by step how to book. the artist shares her techniques and then encourages you to take those techniques and experiment some more. i am always amazed when artists share the techniques they've developed so that others can benefit & grow from them as well. this is not a book for those who need their hand held through the creative process, it is a book for those who want to introduce some fun, new tips and tricks into their own artwork. if you enjoy a rougher, not so polished approach to the creative process, you'll enjoy this book. if you need things laid out neatly with tight clean edges, well, you may want to visit elsewhere.

awesom book
TAhis book MAKES you want to collect everything you find on the street. Its terrible. But wonderful. Re-using everything and everyway, and with hands on approach. I love it!!!! its perfect for designers with 'illustration issues', for getting over it.(!!) Like me.

intriguing techniques
This book has several techniques I have not seen in other books.My interests are mostly in bookbinding, cardmaking, scrapbooking, rubberstamping, and other paper arts, and I found the ideas in this book were new to me, though they may be familiar to seasoned collage artists.I like the before and after photos, the gallery of ideas, and the variety of techniques covered. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Assemblage Art    3. Coloring    4. Crafts & Hobbies    5. Decalcomania    6. General    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Photographs    9. Photography, Handworked    10. Polaroid transfers    11. Reference    12. Collage   

Reviews (3)

A Must Have!
What's truly amazing about this book is that it combines high quality artistic nudes, by talented photographers throughout the world, with in-depth discussion of techniques.It's rare to find both in the same book, and to find them so well integrated.The quality of the images is so high that I could well have bought it for the photos alone - something that almost never is the case with photo how-to books!And, the reproduction quality is absolutely amazing, rivaling that of some of the highest quality hard-bound coffee table books!And, that leads me to the final point ... The price is actually reasonable, because it is in paperback form (not really paper, but rather that high quality durable plastic clad type of "paper").If you like books with artistic nudes, this one is a must have!

Comments from a contributing photographer

An absolutely beautiful and educational book!
This book has enabled me understand and translate very complicated techniques that the top photographers in the world utilize.Plus, the book is of the highest quality, the pictures stand on their own as pieces of art. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computers - Desktop Publishing    3. Desktop Publishing - General    4. Interactive & Multimedia    5. Photo Techniques    6. Photography    7. Subjects & Themes - Erotica    8. Techniques - Digital    9. Computers / Interactive Media    10. Photographic equipment & techniques   

Reviews (6)

excellent for starters and good resource for those old hats
It you are interested in vintage altered art and collage this book is for you...good part of the book is working with tools.the instructions aer clear, the pictures helpful and the examples inspiring for everyone.For those who have done collage for a while the best part fo the book talks about using family history and culture in your work as well as some great ideas about where to find different materials.

Gorgeous book that inspires you to indulge in your culture
I believe everyone should indulge in their culture and make some art. Josie has not only done that with this book, but offers oodles of ideas to inspire others to do so too. The projects are unique and the presentation is beautiful, great directions too. Way to go, Josie!

A helpful, attractive book.
I enjoyed seeing how vintage ephemera can be incorporated into a new piece of art.Although collage and altered art are not my typical media, I was very inspired to try it.There are wonderful illustrations in this text and great ideas for how to create different effects.I have revisited this book often and it will continue to inspire my pieces. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Assemblage Art    2. Collage    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Paper Crafts    7. Papercrafts   

Reviews (8)

Kouros: A Tribute to the Male Form
David Vance has produced a fine book of black and white photography of the male nude, the black and white format emphasizing his recreation of timeless attitudes and poses of athletic young men.The Kouros of Greek origin were statues of young athletes usually placed in courtyards or public spaces to either celebrate the glory of the male physique of prominent athletes, or to engender fertility!
Body Beautiful
The photography is exquisite in Timeless. The book features well proportioned males that are masculine without crossing the line to overly "muscle bound" or overtly "pornographic". I must admit that there are a couple of shots that are a bit on the "campy" side but these are far outnumbered by page after page of beautiful photographs that cannot help but to celbrate the art of the male nude. The book was a good value.

Breathless.....
Mr. Vance,
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Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. Individual Photographer    3. Photo Techniques    4. Photography    5. Subjects & Themes - Children    6. Subjects & Themes - Erotica    7. Subjects & Themes - Nudes    8. Erotic art   

Reviews (43)

Claudine rocks
New techinques that will make the old hat at collage sit up and take notice but the instructions are so easy to follow that a beginner can learn them adn wow her friends and family.The book is so encouraging and inspiring everyone needs it in their art library

Great!
I'm just getting into collage and this book was the first book I bought on the subject.It has been a great help getting me started with techniques and examples.I still find myself refering back to it.

Inspiring and helpful
I learned so much from this book! And now I am really inspired to experiment with many of the techniques. Claudine Hellmuth does beautiful work, and writes in a clear, friendly fashion. I would love to take a class from her! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Assemblage Art    3. Collage    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Papercrafts    6. Paper crafts   

Reviews (21)

Great intro, instruction and bookshelf reference

Loaded With Ideas & Techniques
As a newcomer to the craft, I liked this author's approach. She explains what an altered book is, gets into choosing a book and developing a theme, then goes step-by-step through the techniques. The basics include collaging, stitching, cutting doors, adding tags, folding pages, and adding inserts. She moves on to intermediate skills: cutting shadowboxes, glazing, adding texture, and various cover treatments. Other ideas include using drawers, adding words and hanging embellishments, working with fiber and beads, transferring images and adding pop-ups.
Great for beginners-excellent photos
Ifyou are new at altered books this is a good way to get started.It is a small book with good, basic ideas to get your feet wet.
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Subjects:  1. Altered books    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Assemblage Art    4. Collage    5. Crafts & Hobbies    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Paper crafts    8. Papercrafts    9. Decorative arts & crafts    10. Handicrafts