Artists Books

I bought this book for my brother as a gift and he was thrilled! He loves the artwork of Roger Dean and owns another book of his art, which is falling apart. Thanks for the great service and good condition of the book!

great collection of Roger Dean's artwork... if yer a Roger Dean art fan this book is a must have if you can still find one for sale.

I met artist Roger Dean after being invited to an exhibition of his art in San Francisco, 1991. I had long admired, no, worshipped his art in the release of "VIEWS", the 1st collected work devoted solely to the Dean brothers, Roger and Martyn. The color schemes combined with the visions of alternate landscapes of exploded planets and truly wondrous terrains have become iconic landmarks in the art world. It is a vision so deep, it is often hard to fathom, and evokes the seldom used Japanese phrase, Yugen! The work is unmatched anywhere else. The artist is as warm and human as anyone I've ever met, and one hopes for their continued success. He is currently designing communities in his vision in the UK named "Willowwater", and has done much art for the Prog scene in Penn; "Nearfest", if you are looking for other printed examples of his work.

Magnetic Strom continues the record started in "Views," documenting the ongoing work of Roger and Martyn Dean. There's lots of Roger's famous artwork, album covers for Yes, Asia, and others. This also features the stage sets for Yes tours - amazing fantasy constructions, even more amazing for the rigorous demands imposed by the need for easy transportation and setup. It even shows some of the Deans' experiments in biomorphic architecture. There are also some covers from books that the Deans' Paper Tiger published, including some that I still enjoy.

This collection appeals to anyone who remembers those times, who enjoys fantasy art, or who likes to see the breadth that creative minds can span. Enjoy!

//wiredweird

The Dean brothers are 2 of the most innovative artists of the 20th century. Roger has designed many of Yes and Asia's album covers (Drama, Yesshows, Asia, and Alpha are all featured in this book!), designed tour posters and booklets for other major rock bands and contributed on the Album Cover Album books. His brother Martyn has designed many of Yes' stage sets (Topographic Oceans, Drama, and Relayer) and has acted as Yes' photographer both for album shots and on tour. Together and seperately, Roger and Martyn have also worked on animation, video games, architecture, and an invention of Martyn's which is called a retreat pod (sort of like a futuristic sleeping bag with the options of an entertainment center!). I'd like to see this gem back in print and see a 3rd volume where Roger and Martyn have left off since this was published.

My nine year old daughter loves fairy books about Tinkerbell and her friends. She absolutely devours them as soon as I get them. What a boost for her imagination!

We own all of this series! Started reading them when my daughter was 4 (she just turned 5 now), and they are age appropriate. Not too scary and always a happy ending. One book only takes us about 4-5 nights worth of reading together. The longer ones are good too "Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg" and "Fairy Haven and the Quest for the Wand", but they are a little bit scarrier than the short books (more appropriate for ages 5-7 I would think).

The story a masterpiece for Bees the main conflict was, about a fairy name Bees who loves to paint in her studio. One day Bees figured that she would make a portrait for tinker bell since she fixed her best Palette knife she ever had. That day tinker bell showed everyone her new portrait. Then all of the other fairies wanted one just like tinker bell's, they asked tinker bell what was the occasion of Bees making her a panting tinker bell said oh not a thing it was a surprise to me because I just fixed her best palette knife she ever had and she said she wanted to give me something in return. Of me doing that for her so she made me a portrait of myself to hang up in my room since I needed some spices in my room.'' I had asked her for one before and she never had the time to make me one. The next day Bees got a knock on her door it was Dulice the fairy most known for his poppy puff rolls. Dulice asked Bees did she want any of his famous poppy puff rolls. Bees said "of course thank you a lot" then Bees said "what can". Before she got to finish her sentence Dulice said oh yeah can paint a picture of me and my rolls. Bees was pleased to make Dulice a picture it would be the first time that Bess painted a picture with a fairy holding something in their hands. Then she got another knock on her door with roses, then another, another, and another everybody wanted her to paint a picture of them. It was over 100 fairies who Bees had to paint a portrait of. She was so tried every time she went some were and some one help her out Bees always say what can I so they always say a picture would be good before she got to finish talking. After Bees finished 15 portraits some of the fairies were complaining about how their wing are not the right size, their face does not look right, and they need a do over. Bees got angry and had a really good idea in her head but could not get it out because of the thing's she have been doing for the past few days. That afternoon, Bees left a note on her studio door that said "sorry I can not paint all of the fairies pictures at one time have to get back with you another day because today I need time by myself". Bees had went far away into the forest were no one could find her while she was painting a portrait of the sky and the trees then a storm had came it was, lighting and, thundering but bees still was painting she was happy that she got her own time to her self. While bees was painting a storm fairy was passing by she saw Bees painting and went back to tell the other fairies were she had seen Bees all of them were mad at Bees because she had gone off to do her own thing instead of paint their pictures. That night Bees decides to stay to tinker bell house so no one would come knocking on her door while she was resting just to ask for a painting. Then another fairy seen Bees with a big portrait in her hand then all of the fairies thought it was of them. Until Bees came to show them that it was a portrait of nature all of the fairies got mad at her and Said well where is our portrait's Bess told them that she did not want to make a portraits of fairies anymore, because she got tried of doing the same thing over, and over and wanted to get the new idea out of her head but couldn't because of all the drama. Then all of the fairies walked off and then the meanest fairy of them all Vida told Bees that she loved her painting and did not care what the other fairies said about it. Since Vida told Bees that her painting was beautiful Bess figured that she will let Vida have her portrait. Bees was happy that some on had liked her painting and felt good to give it away to someone who cared about it. But she did not want the other fairies to pick on her and say she was the meanest fairy because she did not paint their painting .Bess did not know what to do until her friend Quill told her that she did the right thing because usually all of the fairies did not give out thing's like that. In maybe the only reason they did that was because they wanted you to paint a painting of them bees was not mad at what Quill said. Finally the problem was resolved when Bees and Quill walked into the Tearoom and everyone was looking at Rosetta dress saying how pretty her dress was and where did she get it from.Rosetta loved that she had all eyes on her. She stood there with her pink flower In her head, blue top, pink dress, and her pink shoes on. Everyone wanted a dress just like that they all asked who made the dress Rosetta said, "why I did of course" all of the fairies said would you make me one please. Rosetta told all of them yes. Rosetta was happier then ever to see that everyone wanted her to make a dress for them. Then lots of people told Bess that they did not want a painting of themselves anymore. Bees did not reply to them and was just happy the pressure was off of her.

Good reading books for 9 year olds +. My 10 year old granddaughter loves this series of books. I have purchased her 5 different stories and she has re-read them several times. Loves them.

In my opinion the best Disney Fairies books have the conflict growing out of the fairy "talents". In this book Bess' gift for painting is both a blessing and a curse.

I was especially pleased to see the connection Bess (the heroine) and Vidia (the "outcast") made. I would love to see more of this in later books. I would not like to see Vidia turned into a target for unthinking hatred.

Bess the artist and Vidia the speed addict both understand that the "group" (the "crowd", the "herd", the "community") can sometimes act REALLY SILLY and that the expression of personal feelings can sometimes only be understood by individuals.

This deceptively simple story actually teaches a very valuable lesson.

My nine year old daughter loves fairy books about Tinkerbell and her friends. She absolutely devours them as soon as I get them. What a boost for her imagination!

We own all of this series! Started reading them when my daughter was 4 (she just turned 5 now), and they are age appropriate. Not too scary and always a happy ending. One book only takes us about 4-5 nights worth of reading together. The longer ones are good too "Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg" and "Fairy Haven and the Quest for the Wand", but they are a little bit scarrier than the short books (more appropriate for ages 5-7 I would think).

The story a masterpiece for Bees the main conflict was, about a fairy name Bees who loves to paint in her studio. One day Bees figured that she would make a portrait for tinker bell since she fixed her best Palette knife she ever had. That day tinker bell showed everyone her new portrait. Then all of the other fairies wanted one just like tinker bell's, they asked tinker bell what was the occasion of Bees making her a panting tinker bell said oh not a thing it was a surprise to me because I just fixed her best palette knife she ever had and she said she wanted to give me something in return. Of me doing that for her so she made me a portrait of myself to hang up in my room since I needed some spices in my room.'' I had asked her for one before and she never had the time to make me one. The next day Bees got a knock on her door it was Dulice the fairy most known for his poppy puff rolls. Dulice asked Bees did she want any of his famous poppy puff rolls. Bees said "of course thank you a lot" then Bees said "what can". Before she got to finish her sentence Dulice said oh yeah can paint a picture of me and my rolls. Bees was pleased to make Dulice a picture it would be the first time that Bess painted a picture with a fairy holding something in their hands. Then she got another knock on her door with roses, then another, another, and another everybody wanted her to paint a picture of them. It was over 100 fairies who Bees had to paint a portrait of. She was so tried every time she went some were and some one help her out Bees always say what can I so they always say a picture would be good before she got to finish talking. After Bees finished 15 portraits some of the fairies were complaining about how their wing are not the right size, their face does not look right, and they need a do over. Bees got angry and had a really good idea in her head but could not get it out because of the thing's she have been doing for the past few days. That afternoon, Bees left a note on her studio door that said "sorry I can not paint all of the fairies pictures at one time have to get back with you another day because today I need time by myself". Bees had went far away into the forest were no one could find her while she was painting a portrait of the sky and the trees then a storm had came it was, lighting and, thundering but bees still was painting she was happy that she got her own time to her self. While bees was painting a storm fairy was passing by she saw Bees painting and went back to tell the other fairies were she had seen Bees all of them were mad at Bees because she had gone off to do her own thing instead of paint their pictures. That night Bees decides to stay to tinker bell house so no one would come knocking on her door while she was resting just to ask for a painting. Then another fairy seen Bees with a big portrait in her hand then all of the fairies thought it was of them. Until Bees came to show them that it was a portrait of nature all of the fairies got mad at her and Said well where is our portrait's Bess told them that she did not want to make a portraits of fairies anymore, because she got tried of doing the same thing over, and over and wanted to get the new idea out of her head but couldn't because of all the drama. Then all of the fairies walked off and then the meanest fairy of them all Vida told Bees that she loved her painting and did not care what the other fairies said about it. Since Vida told Bees that her painting was beautiful Bess figured that she will let Vida have her portrait. Bees was happy that some on had liked her painting and felt good to give it away to someone who cared about it. But she did not want the other fairies to pick on her and say she was the meanest fairy because she did not paint their painting .Bess did not know what to do until her friend Quill told her that she did the right thing because usually all of the fairies did not give out thing's like that. In maybe the only reason they did that was because they wanted you to paint a painting of them bees was not mad at what Quill said. Finally the problem was resolved when Bees and Quill walked into the Tearoom and everyone was looking at Rosetta dress saying how pretty her dress was and where did she get it from.Rosetta loved that she had all eyes on her. She stood there with her pink flower In her head, blue top, pink dress, and her pink shoes on. Everyone wanted a dress just like that they all asked who made the dress Rosetta said, "why I did of course" all of the fairies said would you make me one please. Rosetta told all of them yes. Rosetta was happier then ever to see that everyone wanted her to make a dress for them. Then lots of people told Bess that they did not want a painting of themselves anymore. Bees did not reply to them and was just happy the pressure was off of her.

Good reading books for 9 year olds +. My 10 year old granddaughter loves this series of books. I have purchased her 5 different stories and she has re-read them several times. Loves them.

In my opinion the best Disney Fairies books have the conflict growing out of the fairy "talents". In this book Bess' gift for painting is both a blessing and a curse.

I was especially pleased to see the connection Bess (the heroine) and Vidia (the "outcast") made. I would love to see more of this in later books. I would not like to see Vidia turned into a target for unthinking hatred.

Bess the artist and Vidia the speed addict both understand that the "group" (the "crowd", the "herd", the "community") can sometimes act REALLY SILLY and that the expression of personal feelings can sometimes only be understood by individuals.

This deceptively simple story actually teaches a very valuable lesson.

This book is absolutely beautiful. I have always loved and been fascinated by Matisse and his use of textiles and glorious colors in his paintings, and this book gives an excellent background and family history on his use of textiles and his life-long love for fabrics and design, even during times when he was experiencing creative blocks. I keep this beautiful book on my coffee table!

I thought it was a lovely book full of lovely pictures i had not seen before it gives u a real insight into this mans colourful life

Well,it isn't easy to write a review that goes cross current to the ones posted here already.
I love Matisse,and I sure do relate to his love for fabrics as a source of design inspiration.What the book leaves out is the fact that in the past,before computers, fabrics were designed first as colorful sketches.Matisse simply reversed the process to make paintings.
I guess what I dislike about this book is that there is no imaginative presentation of direct links between his collection of fabrics to his own art.
It is a very "stuffy" read.I wish I had spent my 60.00 canadian on a fabric website instead...
Sorry,folks, Yes,the book is concise,colorful, and very very "presented".I wanted something that was living and breathing between the covers...I did not find this to be inspiring, just preinterpreted, packaged and just to wrapped up in academia for my tastes,I guess.It has a "feel" like the kind of book one can buy in the museam shop,to remind one of something they saw,and was thrilled by.Now,That is a GOOD thing,I do it lots of times! But, to a graduate of an art university,it was like sitting though a lecture and slide show.But,thats the type of book it is,and it does it well.Just not what I was hoping for,Not enough Matisse as the "Material" Boy...,just alot of academia telling me how to look and think about his work.Blah.Matisse was about Imagination,not sitting on his duff hearing about it...but participating in it...

This is a marvelous resource book, especially for fiber artists and those who enjoy reading careful research into specific aspects of an artist's work. It gives detailed information about the influence of textiles on his paintings, including his use of textile techniques: actual textiles from his personal collection as sources for painting Odalisque costumes and background, combining colors, and creating cutouts.

This volume is the catalogue for a truly unusual show co-sponsored by the Royal Academy in London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. For once, a team of art specialists has put together a Matisse exhibition which is more than a paean to this artist's use of color and a slapped-together collection of pretty pictures. While all of the paintings on display here are quite familiar to audiences as the bulk of them have been included in every Matisse show for the past 15 years, they have been given a new context by presenting them with examples of fabrics (both decorative and dress) from Matisse's personal collection. The offspring of weavers, Matisse possessed an appreciation for pattern and textiles from his earliest years. Fabrics were some of his favorite props, necessary for him to create the orientalist, hothouse atmosphere of the 1920s "Nice period" paintings, the chic calligraphy of his 1930s work, and the simplicity and repetition of his 1940s cut-outs. While the exhibition itself was not a large one, this book has got to be one of the most beautiful catalogues the Metropolitan Museum has ever produced. The stunning design interweaves full-color images of individual textiles with "their" respective paintings...It is a fascinating experience to see the same purple striped turkish robe or peasant blouse transformed into a dazzling pattern on several different models in paintings and drawings separated by years in time. The standard of color reproduction here is exemplary - Matisse's brilliant colors literally jump off of the page and into your eyes! A necessary addition to any art library for the design and quality of illustration alone...

I found this book to be a very beautiful presentation of Michelangelo's fresco's inside the Sistine Chapel. The pictures are very clear and the text is good, although the fact that it is written by non-native English speakers is apparent. Anyone wanting to remember their experience of viewing the Sistine Chapel in Rome will be pleased by buying this book. At least I was.

The image quality in this book is excellent. I have never been to Vatican. So it's hard to judge whether the color is right. I just try to use this book to study anatomy after Michelangelo. For some parts of frescoes, this book provides enlarged pictures. Some images show the frescoes before restoration, although not in detail. In general, it's a great reference book for my study.

This is an absolutely superb book, largely because the reproductions of the frescoes are excellent and really capture the colors that you see when you visit the Chapel. I have found many art books disappointing, because they simply fail to capture the works they present. I first saw this book in an American bookstore after visiting the Sistine Chapel, and really thrilled to see if after looking at several other books where colors were much duller and the images simply not as sharp. In addition to its fine colors, the book provides many fine closeups of each individual section. The text is also very good, describing the subjects of the painting, the history behind the paintings, ansd also the recent restorstion. This is a must-have book!

Being an admirer of the magnificent Michelangelo I am very pleased to have acquired this book. The pictures are beautifully printed. By the end of the book I wish to revisit the Sistine Chapel to view those parts printed in the book which I have obviously missed with my naked eyes. The details of the restoration work is an added bonus. To get the most of this book, please read it together with "Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling" by Ross King. You will not regret the experience. Michelangelo's frescoes are simply sublime!

The photographs in this book are too good to be believed. I have never had an art book on the Sistine Chapel before that so moved me.
It was obviously produced with great care -- the colors look perfect, the focus is perfect. I can't rave about this book enough. And so complete! You will know every nook and cranny of the Chapel when you finish this book.
Well worth more than what you pay for it.

The characters were enjoyable. Their interaction was fun. Toward the end, I didn't like that she refused to marry him and would not explain why to her father and to him. Her reason was to avoid bringing future scandal to his life, but she didn't tell him that. He could have assured her that he'd want her anyway. She didn't tell her own father how much she loved him. Her father's actions might have been different had he known of her love for Trev. I don't like conflicts and dilemmas that are caused by someone not telling the truth about their own feelings. Other than that, the story was a fun escape.

I am torn between delight over discovering this new author, and dismay that I haven't picked up a Patricia Rice book before.

I am an avid romance fan, and this book sends Patricia Rice right up there among my other favorite authors (Lisa Kleypas & Judith McNaught). Rice has the rare ability to create memorable characters AND a decent plot.

I cannot express how delighted with this book. I admit that I thought the first chapters were a bit slow, but it quickly turned into a page turner that I didn't want to put down.

Sinda was an unconventional but extremely likable heroine. I liked how she was sometimes funny and witty, but never snippy or prickly. And I loved Trev. Rice did a phenomonal job of creating a sexy alpha male with just enough vulnerability and sweet points to make you wish he was real.

Having read so many other romances, I thought I was familiar with all the various plot directions, but I was always guessing on this one. Every time I thought I figured out where the story was going, Rice would change it up and then surpass my expectations. Absolutely a five star read.

This book is what Romance writing is all about. It was funny,intelligent,romantic and exciting.
The characters and plot were wonderful.
This was my first Patricia Rice book and it will not be my last.
I just ordered the other 4 books in the "Magic" series.
Do Not Miss This Book!

If you want a change in story and plot...this is the book for you. Not only is the story innovative and attention holding, but Rice does such a nice job with her writting. I litterally couldn't put it down! Again, the story is about a woman who paints and draws the future, past, and present happenings in her sleep (or while she is unaware of what she is painting or drawing). Trev is the guy that she paints in her first painting (of the story), whom she's never met. The painting depicts the type of guy that Trev isn't...so he's mad. Anyway...Trev doesn't know that Lucinda painted the picture...he starts to fall for her before he realizes that she's the one who made a disgrace of his name. She's already fallen for him. And I'm not going to say anymore cuz it'll ruin the story.
Overall...the story was wonderful! It was different from the usual romance novel and i've read it several time. Hope that you enjoy it as much as I have!

Our heroine, Lucinda, is a Malcolm, a family whose women tend to have varied psychic or magical talents. Her particular talent shows up in her paintings which portray things that have happened or might happen in the future.

The trouble starts when one of her paintings results in the hero, Sir Trevelyan Rochester, being accused of his cousin's murder. Trev is furious, and sets out to find the mysterious artist and force her to confess that his uncle hired her to paint the damning picture. Lucinda, on the other hand, decides to retire, incognito, to the country and paint nothing but landscapes, hoping to avoid such disturbing occurrences in the future.

But magic can't be denied, and Lucinda's subsequent paintings draw her further into the intrigue.

The rest of the story is an exciting quest to find what happened to the cousin, featuring romance, psychic abilities, & the family members from previous books in this series, particularly the mysterious Aidan...

It was wonderful visiting with this family again, and I particularly enjoyed Trev coming to terms with magic. As someone unfamiliar with the notorious Malcolms, it took him a long time to believe, and his skepticism was very believable.

Along with the adventure and romance is a healthy dose of humor that really makes these books a joy to read. Much Ado About Magic has got magic, romance, intrigue, humor, and history. What more could you ask for?

what can go on behind the scenes of historical events, give this book a read.

I met Bill Gibson before his book hit the shelves. I found him to be a reserved man, with an underlying sense of humor; only mentioning to me, he had a book coming out about his career as a professional photagrapher in the Navy. I asked him if he liked it on the Merrimac; oddly, he hardly speaks to me lately.

All jest aside, I'm not giving Bill's book five stars in order to be on speaking terms again, or for the rebate promised on my copy. Bill Gibson's "No Film In My Camera", will entertain all generations, and surely enlighten the younger; although parental guidance is suggested.

Bill brings us his personal perspective to major events and eminent icons of our history, with humor and dashing flair. Particularly dashing, when caught sunbathing on Enyu island.(One of the reasons for the PG rating.)

As I read, I couldn't help but envy his life, and imagine myself a member of his crew, partaking in the adventure.

Now that I've read the book, I find Bill to be a reserved man, with an underlying obsession for insane risk, and his humor a little less subtle, especially when I can talk him into a martini. BUY THIS BOOK, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!

what can go on behind the scenes of historical events, give this book a read.

I met Bill Gibson before his book hit the shelves. I found him to be a reserved man, with an underlying sense of humor. Only mentioning to me, he had a book coming out about his career as a professional photagrapher in the Navy. I asked him if he liked it on the Merrimac; oddly, he hardly speaks to me lately.

All jest aside, I'm not giving Bill's book five stars in order to be on speaking terms again, or for the rebate promised on my copy. Bill Gibson's "No Film In My Camera", will entertain all generations, and surely enlighten the younger; although parental guidance is suggested.

Bill brings us his personal perspective to major events and eminent icons of our history, with humor and dashing flair. Particularly dashing, when caught sunbathing on Enyu island.(One of the reasons for the PG rating.)

As I read, I couldn't help but envy his life, and imagine myself a member of his crew, partaking in the adventure.

Now that I've read the book, I find Bill to be a reserved man, with an underlying obsession for insane risk, and his humor a little less subtle, especially when I can talk him into a martini. BUY THIS BOOK, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!

As the wife of a career Navy photographer for many years, I was often asked, "What does a *photographer* do in the service?" Certainly, they are unsung heroes whose stories should be told. And now they have a master story-teller to do it: Bill Gibson. This book is sheer delight for all of us who were there, and many who will wish *they* had been when they read about it! Only the Twentieth Century could have produced Bill Gibson -- there will never be another. He not only lived history in many areas, but helped make it as well. "No Film" is such a good read that, although I tried to ration it to myself and make it last, I could not let it alone until I had read it all, and still go back to savor certain episodes again. I placed it on the shelf next to Tom Brokaw's two books about my generation, and I am hoping this remarkable person is at work on another.

Gibson is a supremely multi-talented author. His skill as a cameraman is met - and perhaps exceeded - as a gifted raconteur. He takes you along for a fascinating trip through history: World War 11, Africa, Viet Nam, Hollywood!, NASA and other adventures he was lucky to survive! From hanging off helicopters to crouching tigers - you can't get enough! This is a true page turner that proves again - great non-fiction has no equal. Gibson is a true Renaissance man....I hope he is writing a sequel. This is a book you will want to keep in your permanent library.

NO FILM IN MY CAMERA is an action-packed adventure from page one! Mr. Gibson's book is an eye-opening ride that took me to some of the most turbulent and exciting times in our nation's history. His accounts of daring assignments, and sometimes crazy adventures as a cameraman, are retold with passion and humor. After many years of telling stories with his camera, he now tells his own story with as much creativity and attention to detail. From being on the USS Hornet as she was attacked, to being a part of the early days of the Space Program, to encounters with world leaders and Hollywood celebrities, NO FILM IN MY CAMERA gives an eye-opening look at the never-dull life of an inventive, courageous, world-class cameraman.

Odd Nerdrum is a painter who polarizes viewers and critics. This very beautifully designed and produced and written tome shows more than just an enormous amount of paintings by the Norwegian giant; this book contains one of the finest essays by Richard Vine about the artist and his place (or misplace!) in contemporary art. It is provocative, haughty, seductive, and honest and as such gives a realistic picture of one of the enigmatic artists of today.

Nerdrum decided early on that he wanted to paint in the fashion of the Renaissance painters and though he had formal training, he soon progressed to self-taught techniques to enter his world of artic terrains which harkens back to the beginning of man as the hunter, gatherer, and sexually obsessed monolith.

The book is generously graphic, giving not only full page and two page spreads of the large works, but accompanying pages of details from these massive canvases. Nerdrum's characters and scenes have changed little since his foray into the tundra landscapes populated by limbless warriors, infants, hermaphrodites, couples and choreographed folk who dance to Nerdrum earthy tunes. The most recent works shown and discussed reveal a loosening of his brush technique but little else changing in the works of the past 25 years.

The term 'kitsch' is usually used as a derogative adjective, but not so with Nerdrum. He feels that most paintings today have nothing to do with gut level reality and it that sort of representation is 'kitsch', then he proclaims himself the king of kitsch. Use that information as you will: critics are still debating the issue. But no matter the titles or the content or the repetition of the themes, there is no denying that Nerdrum has become a household word in the art salons, and this fine monograph certainly justifies much of the clan-like adoration he has gained.
Grady Harp, December 2004

Amazing. One or probably the most impressive paintor's book I have. Not easy subjects sometimes, but anyway, always beautiful.

It's difficult not to become sentimental about Odd Nerdrum's work. Of course, that's the idea. If you feel that you've wandered through the sort of strange, barren landscapes he paints, do not be surprised. Nerdrum speaks about his personal life through is obsessively re-worked paintings, some of which have been in production for over a decade.

The themes are universal and eternal -- love, loss, paternity, commerce, birth, and death ...

This is the greatest collection of Nerdrum's work thus far. My only complaint is I wish there were more drawings featured, but the details of the paintings are so beautiful that I quickly excuse the oversite.

I'm a graduate student at the New York Academy of Art, where rendering the figure in the manner of the Old Masters is paramount. Odd Nerdrum is revered among my classmates and myself as more than the greatest living painter in the world -- he truly is the "Prophet of Painting."

I came upon his name by accident when I was reading about some other painters.

Scoffed and rejected by the 'modern-art' world (which is just fine with me), Odd's work is beautiful to look at and become a part of. The stark landscapes that he places his figures in are peaceful yet convey an uneasiness. I can't wait to visit Iceland to see if it's really as beautiful as he paints it.

This is a comprehensive collection (and heavy!!!). Well worth the money.

Well, if so-called modern art makes you sick/laugh/sigh (or whatever), here's one artist you may like, as long as you appreciate sur-realism combined to the works of the Old Masters. Try this book that seems to be the best among the few, with clever lines that explains the approach of the painter and fine and numerous reproductions. Last but not least: go to see his exhibitions (big formats to fill up your eyes) and try his own book "On kitsch"

The pictures are creative and wonderful. This is a great book to sit back and enjoy if you enjoy looking at great art.

An excellent book showing a wide variety of full body painting images. The entire body has been used as a canvas. The painting itself tends to display a course nature, in that there is a lack of crisp and sharp lines, the painted segments tend to merge. The images cover the entire body of the models and are shot in a variety of poses. There are about five pages of arranged photographs displaying the model for each artist. A must for the coffee table and one to definitely weigh it done.

This collection of body paintings reveal incredible skill, and also lots of luscious ideas and provacative thoughts whether or not you have any special interest in Body Painting. Each model has been painted in unique ways which reflect the depth and richness of talent of each artist who painted them. Some take a whimsical approach, and others move in the world of political statements, and then there are those who really move off of this plain of existence into imaginary worlds of the spirit and the soul. This is book not only for body painters and make-up artists, the work here is for all of those interest in contemporary visual art, dance, costume, image, and more. In time, this art form will stand alone as a truly "new" form of cultural sculpture.

Painted Bodies is not a book to read in, but to look at. It includes a wonderful collection of 45 different artists, showing their own interpretation on the subject. The manner Roberto Edwards photographed them is the best compliment a body painter can expect. Above all, the marvellous layout makes the fantastic finishing touch to this great book. Absolutely recommended!

Caution: This book primarily contains images of female and male models, including one pregnant woman, who are mostly adorned only with paint. If such exposure offends you, avoid this book.

If you buy only one photography book this year, you would probably be very pleased with this one!

Painted Bodies is a unique art book in my experience. The vision began with the photographer, Roberto Edwards, who persuaded 45 Chilean artists to paint human models in honor of Columbus's arrival in the New World in 1492, where he found Native Americans wearing body paint. But the heritage of painting bodies goes back much earlier than that.

Skin, hair, and human protuberances accept paint in ways much different from canvas. Some of the artists sought to create a canvas-like experience, while others built on the uniqueness of the human base. The designs were everything from literal internal body parts to faces, to literal objects (including simulated clothing), to calligraphy, to various abstractions. In some cases, props were added to transform the model into a magical being only remotely related to a human. Some designs sought to obliterate and obscure the body, while others used parts of the body as a visual pun (turning a nipple into a nose). In some cases, the body became a sculpture. In other cases, the body was a dancing performer, caught in poses like what a strobe light potrays of motion.

Some of the models have unusual bodies which become part of the artistic appearance. In other cases, the models are remarkably beautiful and are transformed into idealist creations and concepts. Some models have personalities that burst forth from beneath the paint, and add an important note of acting ability in other instances. For example, many of the models are portrayed as mimes . . . and are shown in the characteristic poses of mimes.

To all of this variety, the photographer added another important layer of art. He has arranged the images starkly against large white and black negative spaces to help focus your attention on the creation. The models are usually followed through for at least 5 pages, and sometimes as much as 8 pages to show a flow of the artistic expression. The order, angle, and superimposition of images are quite interesting of themselves. So there's also the design of the book's layout to enjoy and consider.

What is most impressive is that all of these layers of art are well done, culminating in very fine paper and reproduction quality for the images.

This show originally appeared in 1991, and was remounted as a series of large murals. Traveling in the latter form, over one and a half million people had seen the show by 1996 when this third edition was created.

The essays could have been stronger, but the images speak so eloquently that not much introduction is needed. So just glide onto enjoying the images!

I thought that all but four of the artists did a remarkable job. Many really impressed me including the work by Roberto Geisse, Francisco de la Puente, Jose Basso, Lucia Wiser, Benito Rojo, Ricardo Maffei, Cristian Abelli, Paulina Humeres, Eduardo Garcia de la Sierra, Gracia Barrios, Gonzalo Mezza, and Carmen Aldunate. If you are like me, you will be interested in learning more about their work. The book contains brief biographies of each artist.

I also came away very impressed with the quality and variety of art that was represented by these artists from Chile. I felt encouraged to visit Chile so that I might see more of that country's art, which is seldom included in shows that I visit in the United States, Canada, or Europe.

How else can the arts interact with one another to create additional levels of refinement? I came away wondering what could be done with a video version of this concept, to include original music as well.

See the full potential of creativity around and within you!

... then you'll love this one. For the sketches of the Parisian scenes are wonderfully well-drawn. Sometimes you'll be amazed to find out the "spots" that you didn't pay much attention on while you were there. Also, It captured all different moods..... and you feel like you are visiting Paris AGAIN!

A grand book for travelers to Paris or those already in love with the "City of Lights"!

A "Paris Sketchbook," captures Paris superbly. Walk again down the streets of Paris, sit in a cafe, or in a paris garden, or wonder at the Paris buildings and architecture. It is all there and captured beautifully by Mary Kelly's precise and spiritual prose, with Graham's Byfield's water colors of Paris. The pictures and prose combine to be more like a musical piece, one reads then "hums" like a tune from time to time. If one is looking for that special gift or souvenir of Paris, this is it. Enjoy Paris again and again, or tanalize the traveler who is planning a Paris visit.

A "Paris Sketchbook," captures Paris superbly. Walk again down the streets of Paris, sit in a cafe, or in a paris garden, or wonder again at Paris buildings and architecture. It is all there and captured beautifully my Mary Kelly's precise and spiritual prose, with Fabrice Moireau's water colors of Paris. The pictures and prose combine to be more like a musical piece, one reads and then "hums" like a tune from time to time. If one is looking for that special gift or souvenir of Paris, this is it. Enjoy Paris again and again, or tanalize those who plan a visit to Paris.

Fabrice Moireau's watercolors and sketches bring the City of Light to life, and vividly captures the atmospheric city with its teeming cafe life, historic buildings, and new constructions. The book is divided into several segments covering the historic center, Northern Paris, Eastern Paris, Southern Paris, Western Paris, and the Gazetteer provides additional information of some of the prominent buildings featured. Moireau's paintings and sketches are accompanied by Mary Kelly's impressions of Paris, and both perspectives provide a wonderfully warm portrait of the City of Light.