Artists Books

This is such a treasure! It shows life inside Termite Terrace and preserves the history like a textbook. The author shares stories that aren't covered in other books and talks about the people who weren't in the spotlight of the Golden Era. I was amazed to find someone who had lived through it and been there had written this. Any students of Looney Tunes, animation, or cartoon history should read this book.

If you've read any other animation history books, you've gotten a basic idea of how things were during "Golden Age" of the 30's and 40's. But not only is Living Life Inside The Lines one of the few books written someone who actually worked in animation during that period, it's the only book I've seen written by an ink & paint artist, which gives it a point of view of the animation world that other books never mention.

Sigall also tells stories of people like Irv Spence and Phil Monroe who were a big part of animation history, but have never gotten much mention in books. And having worked at numerous studios and ink & paint houses, she has very broad perspective on how the animation industry has changed from the 30's thorough to the 80's. Plus her pleasant demeanor makes for a nice, easy-going read.

If you're interested in animation, this book is a perfect supplement to your library.

I know the son of the writer and was eager to read her book. I have done computer animation and presently am in involved in video production. I found this personal history of the early days of animation to be fun, informative, and came away feeling I had a better knowledge of the people involved in this wonderful form of visual art!

If you love animation, history of early animation days...this book is a wonderful read!

When Chuck Jones received his special Academy Award in the mid-1990s, he wondered aloud from the stage where all the "laughing faces of Termite Terrace" had gone. They're right here in Martha Goldman Sigall's wonderful book. Martha was a central participant in the Golden Age of the animated short: she inked and painted on timeless, classic films directed by Chuck Jones, Tex Avery, Bob Clampett, Friz Freleng, Bob McKimson, Frank Tashlin, Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera, and others, and almost certainly contributed to more animated films than all of them combined, probably without receiving a single screen credit in that era. But she sketches the men and women who sketched Bugs Bunny and Tom and Jerry masterfully in this extremely well-written book, which, like Martha herself, is very warm, funny, and people-oriented. Her personal portraits of artists like Treg Brown, Virgil Ross, Ben Washam, and many others are a crucial contribution to animation history as well as a fun and funny reading experience.

This is the best book on the Schlesinger studio (birthplace of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, and many others), and provides perhaps a thousand important details about that historic cartoon studio and MGM's that aren't found elsewhere. Martha sketches the 1941 strike, the Red Scare, wartime Hollywood, and other events from the animation community's perspective, and also sheds light on the historic industry locations such as 861 Seward, where six different studios sought shelter through the years; the neat and clean (but long gone) MGM building in Culver City, and the shabby Van Ness home of Leon Schlesinger and his "kids".

In what may be the last major eyewitness account of the classic era of animation, Martha raises the spirit of those long-gone laughing faces, and humanizes the creation of the great cartoons and timeless characters that will last forever. The joy she obviously felt in her career infuses the book and the reader.

Martha and her husband Sol, who, happily, is also heard from here, have always been like beloved grandparents to animators in Southern California (one of which this author was for a few years), but in 1996 they kindly donated themselves to the Warner Brothers Museum and are now officially public treasures. If you're not in the area, you can claim your share of them right here in this wonderful book. They should designate a rating higher than five stars for it.

I love reading stories from animations golden age and this book is especially charming.
Most people don't know it, but the ink and paint departments in all the major and minor studios were the real unsung heroes of the cartoon business-many ladies being accomplished artists in their own right and having the ability to take well drawn line drawings and just adding the right touch to each cel that the scenes would really shine. Water effects being one of the areas of animation that without great inkers and painters could tend to look "hokey".
I give this book 5 stars, but I wish it had more pictures!!

I really LOVE this book! From start to finish, I LOVE everything about this book-Tara's dedication "To everyone who has loved and lost"; Frank Kozik's wonderful Foreword speaking about the appreciation of an art culture and discovering such a unique artist like Tara McPherson; to all of the amazing rare & hard to find works of Tara Mcpherson's art this book features...this book is truly a must have!!! This book does not have a great deal of text...The most text you'll find in this book is the Foreword by Frank Kozik, which says everything that needs to be said! This book focuses on the art, which for me is a breath of fresh air as Tara's beautiful, intense, colorful art speaks for itself! "LIFE IS ART & ART IS LIFE"...I found that to be the case with this book, which I love seeing being an artist myself...to find an artist like Tara who shares her life through her art...what a gift! I purchased a couple of copies of this book, because I am a fan of Tara's art & this book FEATURES some of her SOLD OUT, RARE & HARD TO FIND Paintings, Prints, Posters, drawings, an interview with Tara & some of her personal photos which is a nice personal touch!

Nerdy BirdLonely Heart: The Art Of Tara McPherson

This compilation of Tara McPherson's work is simply amazing.
I could spend hours pouring over the pages.
She's so talented and this book is a must have for any Tara fan.
Very decent price also.

Tara McPherson is a NY based artist who seems to gently dominate all of the fields she works in.

She's made her mark in Comic Books, Poster Art, vinyl toy design and fine art. This book collects a body of work from sketch to finished piece, including transparent layover pages that bring her process to life. And for it's very affordable price, should be on every art collector's shelf.

This book is fantastic, the quality of the colours is great and i love the tracing paper pages that show the process from drawing to prints. Tara Mcpherson is an inspiring modern artist, I am a high school teacher and my students love this book.

Love, light as the air, but sometimes as dark red as the blood running through your veins (see my customer images).
"This book is dedicated to everyone who has loved and lost" reads Tara McPherson's dedication on the first page.
Love, broken hearts, innocence and its loss, yet neverending hopes and dreams come to mind when I look at these drawings.
Tara's work is beautiful, seems innocent at first sight. The colors - mostly pastel - at first have you think you're in bubble gum heaven. But you don't need a second look to discover the deeper and often darker side in Tara's art.
Tara created posters for bands like Supergrass, Green Day, Dandy Warhols, The Hives, The Strokes, Duran Duran and Suzanne Vega, Josh Rouse, Elvis Costello, PJ Harvey, and various covers for DC Vertigo.
The book contains beautiful reproductions of posters, portraits, comic book pages, drawings, roughs, an interview with Tara, polaroids, and a foreword by the legendary Frank Kozik.
A beautiful gift!

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.

Creating a sucessor to VIEWS is a hard enough concept, but Roger Dean has produced another master document of his work. Following along the same path as his first book, again we get the album size/shape presentation and tons of full color reproductins of Dean's sketches and renderings. This book was the first whereby I truly grasped Dean's illustrations as architechtural renderings, as lots of the projects covered in this volume are 3D projects worked on with his brother Martyn: built YES stages, modelling retreat pods and designing home and buildings. Imagine a YES album cover as a dwelling, and grab this book to show you how and why it is possible. Stunning follow-up, fantastic production values not seen often in modern paperbacks.

I've had one of these beautiful calendars on my desk since 2000 and look forward to one each year. They make a nice gift too!

I bought this as a gift for my mother, an Elementary School Secretary, and she just loves it. She often uses the inspirational quotes in the daily bulletin for her school. Wonderful Optimism.

I got this one year and it made a huge difference in my life. I thought I outgrew it the next year and didn't get one. Then felt like a baby if I bought it again the following year. I tried to get mature challenging calenders. I finally treated myself to this again this year and I feel so much better already. It's a way to treat yourself well. Adds sweetness and kindness and simple pleasure to the daily grind. It helps make me a better person in my day. Get it, give it. It's a treat worthwhile.

This is the 5th year my desk has been graced with a Mary Englebreit calendar. The artwork and printed thoughts (sometimes very thought provoking) bring sunshine to the start of every day. I have purchased others throughout the years, but keep coming back to Mary's. I enjoy the smile it brings to my heart on a daily basis. Try it, you'll love it!

Last year I purchased 20 of these calendars for all my girl friends. Owning this calendar is akin to having a little bit of personal sunshine in your life, each and every day. Very positive, happy, cheerful stuff and strangely enough, personally relative, quite often. If you need a "bright spot" in your day, this is the calendar page to turn. I've had one of these calendars every year for so many I can't remember and have turned many others on to her--who subsequently become hooked. I can't imagine a year without ME's upbeat quips and uniquely happy artwork.

I love the illustrations in this book. They reflect such joy, love, and contentment. A treasure!

An old woman is sitting on her porch with her cat and is dreaming of her husband, lost at sea. Her dreams lead to new ideas for the quilt she is making, and her life takes on new purpose and reflection as she stitches in the changes in this warm title of an old woman's activities.

I just received this book and it is already becoming a favorite of mine as well as my 3 year old daughter. The story reads beautifully and delicate, like an enchanting poem. It stirs all the senses, and the gorgeous illustrations bring it all together in a warm, cozy feeling. I'd call this a "home cooked" book. It truly feels like we own a little piece of magic in this book. A great bedtime read.

THE MOON QUILT by Sunny Warner is enchanting! It's the story about the last few months in the life of an older lady. In the story she is referred to as the "old woman."

Her days are spent sitting with her cat and dreaming. When she's awake the cat sleeps and when the old lady sleeps the cat is awake! The lady is dreaming of her old man who was lost at sea. In her dreams he is crossing from his boat to a rainbow which reaches to the moon. She decides to sew her dream into a lovely quilt. The old woman never forgets her daily chores and also works in the garden and plants pumpkins. Her evenings are spent working on her quilt. Her quilt is becoming a story and she sews a picture of herself and her cat onto the fabric.

When Halloween comes she makes delicious pumpkin pies for children who live nearby. The children arrive dressed in costumes and have a fun evening carving pumpkins and eating pie! The old lady sews the entire Halloween experience with the children into the quilt.

One evening as winter approaches the old woman and her cat sit outside watching the moon and they both fall sleep. The last illustration shows where they went.

The story is told simply and the book has many colorful pictures. This book is proof that good and meaningful stories are being written for young children

This is a beautiful book, with many of the illustrations looking like they are fashioned from snippets of cloth, as a quilt top would be. The story is gentle and cheerful. Here is the old woman working in her garden, and here she is entertaining a group of happy youngsters at Hallowe'en. Clearly she has a full and fulfilling life. And then in the next-to-the-last frame, after she has added her cat and herself to the quilt, they sit down together under the moonlight and...die??? I guess i'm used to authors who clobber you over the head with the punchline. I had to go back and read the story again to make sure i'd reached the right conclusion. Then i had to go look at some reviews of the book to see if other reviewers reached the same conclusion. I suppose that this book can be used to show children that death is a gentle thing when it comes to those who have lived a long and useful life...except that the ending really startled and upset me. I guess i didn't see it coming, and i didn't want the story to turn out that way. I would only recommend reading this book to children if you are prepared to have a potentially upsetting discussion about death and dying.

definitely worth the price tag. Book is packed with period medical photographs, which while grotesque are also very artistically framed. All of the pictures are together, a page per picture so you can flip though the images without text interrupting the artistic presentation. The back of the book is devoted to thorough captions for each photo. Some of the photos look staged but this too fits the period represented.

This collection of photographs and plates are some of the most concise findings on the medical world I have ever seen. It has opened my eyes to these people and has given me something new and interesting to learn about. I really enjoy seeing how far we have come in the field of medicine but also the advancement has diminished the frequency of medical oddities that are found in this book. I really recomend this to anyone who has an interest in the medical field and all of its mishaps.

This book of stunning, yet disturbing, photographs of medical anomalies spanning 100 years from the mid-19th c., may not be for everyone. It is a comprehensive visual essay into things that we find fascinating, yet repulsive. Unlike a carnival sideshow, however, the purpose of this wonderful book is not to cynically trivialize the individuals illustrated. Like the Mütter Museum, (Mütter Museum: Philadelphia College of Physicians, 19 South 22nd Street, between Chestnut and Market Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 12-4pm), Stanley Burns' book is a window into the 19th century propensity to gather esoteric information of all types, organize it and, ultimately, to exhibit it as the means to greater knowledge.

Stanley Burns is a physician and a collector of medical history photographs. You may remember his previous book of mortuary photographs entitled "Sleeping Beauty" which is long out of print and fetches incredible sums among used book dealers. (Fortunately, a sequel - "Sleeping Beauty II" is more readily available.) "A Morning's Work" is a collection of 127 vintage medical photographs from 1843 to 1939 along with a helpful narrative explanation of the photographs and their cultural significance. Although some of the pictures are more historically significant than interesting, the bulk of the images are of medical curiosities - and some of them are absolutely head-scratchingly bizarre. Among the images featured are mortuary photographs, images of amputations, surgical procedures, disfigurement, and a wide assortment of congenital and acquired diseases. The title "A Morning's Work" is taken from an image of a pile of amputated limbs taken during the Civil War, when the horrific wounds inflicted by the large leadshots used at the time resulted in amputations for even the most minor of injuries. Many of the photographs take us back to the Dark Days of medicine, before antiseptic procedures were implemented, and when a small wound could result in a deadly infection in a matter of days.

The narrative explanations of the photographs add a special poignance to them. For example, a photograph of a dead man would not be nearly so interesting were it not for Burns' explanation that the man was Dr. James Howe who contracted Cholera while treating patients during the St. Louis epidemic of 1849 and was fatally afflicted. That one sombre portrait seems to symbolize the bravery and sacrifice of physicians the world over during times of pestilence, and if there's anything that you come away with after viewing this book, it's a newfound appreciation for modern medicine. All told, "A Morning's Work" is a fascinating book - and a must for enthusiasts of the bizarre and medical historians alike.

This book is very harsh, unpleasant, but impressive. Not at all for anybody because you need to have the guts to keep your glance at the pictures mirroring the abnormal, the illnesses, the horror of nature, the facts of the old times of surgery. As Bacon's paintings these pictures have a very sui-generis aesthetics, based upon the ugly and the deformity.

I had this book as a child and I can remember making my parents read it to me over and over. I used to bring it to babysit with me and read it to the kids that I was watching. I recently purchased this book for my children, ages 1, 3 and 5 and they really enjoy it. It has cute pictures and a great lesson about determination, a dream and trying your best!

This is an excellent children's book. I totally disagree with Hook's assessment that this is uninspired. It has inspired our family. Anytime something is difficult my 5 year old states "anything is possible with a little practice and determination".

This cow makes her dream possible even in the face of others laughing at her. A good lesson in "not having to go along with the crowd and peer pressure".

This is one of the few Jack Kent books currently in print. Buy it now before it, too, is OOP! Jack Kent was not only a delightful story teller, but he was a wonderful illustrator. Cute story sure to please toddlers & preschoolers (even young elementary).

My parents bought this book for me in 1973. It has always inspired me to try harder no matter what. I now share my copy with my children and plan to buy a copy for each of them. This book would make a wonderful first book for any child (a baby shower gift for my brother)or an addition to any adult's book collection. Buy it, share it and live by Ms. Mooley's moto "all it takes is a little practice and determination"

Several times a day my two year old will place himself squarely in front of my wife or myself and simply demand "Mrs. Mooley!"

That's about the best endorsement I can give for a children's book.

This tale is of a cow who is inspired by a misplaced book of nursery rhymes to accomplish one -- the cow jumping over the moon.

All of the other animals laugh at Mrs. Mooley as she practices for her attempt. Their laughter turns to wide eyed adoration as she clears the moon on her final attempt, just as dawn is breaking over the barnyard.

As Mrs. Mooley states: "all it takes is a little practice and determination."

Norman Rockwell's Christmas book is filled with great stories, poems, and recollections of Christmas. But the real selling point...the main reason to pickup this book is the brilliant art of Norman Rockwell.

When we think Holidays...Thanksgiving, Christmas...we always want to picture ours to be as perfect, as joyful as one of Rockwell's paintings. They never are, of course, but we can still try.

Perhaps no artist ever has capture the sense of awe and wonderment of the Christmas season than Rockwell. You cannot help but smile ear-to-ear as you thumb through the pages. A Real Joy!

I first saw this book at my niece's home Christmas day; her husband had given it to her as a present. I thumbed through it and couldn't wait to get home and order it. Lovely illustrations and poems and stories. This would be a perfect Christmas present. Keep this in mind for this year's gift giving and keep one for yourself. You won't be sorry.

I got this book at a museum that was having an exhibit of Norman Rockwell's work. When I got home I sat down with it and flipped through. I love the Christmas pictures that he did. And the stories that were chosen are perfect for this book. I don't have children, but I can see how reading to them from this book would be a perfect childhood tradition to have. I am so glad I got this book.

I am 26 years old, and my father has read my sister and I a story from this book every Christmas Eve since I can remember. Even the few times we have spent Christmas away from home, we have brought this book with us. This Christmas will be the first Christmas I have ever been apart from my family. I will be spending it with my new husband. We'll be starting Christmas traditions of our own - but this is one we will always carry on... Thanks Daddy.

This is an ideal gift or a treasure to keep for yourself. I am a 25 year old that has enjoyed this book with my family every Christmas since I can remember. The stories and pictures will warm your heart! It has been a tradition in my family and one I recommend for any family!

Though it's written in the context of a story about two lovers, the deeper message of the book is one for every human, every critter.

The book is a beautifully simple but profound little story that whispers a reminder to us all at our deepest levels to remember our soul origins and our energetic connection to Every Thing that is. All-One.

Book is so perfect I sent it to a couple of friends and bought an extra copy for myself!

The illustrations are sweet and juvenile. Gets the point across!

Well written and presented in a simple yet fun way. This story can particularly touch somebody who can relate to the story. I can think of several couples whose love story mirrors this book! Love the illustrations and simplicity of it all!

After flying through this book you'll want to read it again and again. The simple but profound message about love, and the clever, beautiful illustrations have a lasting effect. The perfect gift for anyone with a heart.

Stine's song of love is one of the few volumes you will tuck in your rucksack as you head for a desert island. Its soulful words grow effortlessly from earthy, tropic-toned pastels. It is about our journey, together and alone, our rites of discovery, as revelation leads to transformation. Save your shrink money. Read the book and cherish its timeless song.

I didn't know what to expect when I was given this book. I must say that its simple message is indeed powerful and a quick page turner to boot! It comes off as a children's book, but no, no, no, it is certainly not.

This book will make the feelings that you are trying to articulate easy to understand without going overboard. The person who gave it to me was trying to do just that.

And succeeded.

Amazing artwork, possibly the best artist working in the RPG market. Having seen his work in some Rackham productions, I was pleasantly surpised by his older work for Games Workshop, FASA and other companies.

As a long time fan of fantasy artists I was struck by the detailed art of Mr. Bonner. I was aware of his work from Warhammer and other gaming lines but this is a excellent showpiece of his ability to bring both whimsy and talent to a crowded genre.

This book is one of the best reference books I have. There is a lot of really insightful introspection about Paul Bonner's illustrations, which are absolutely breathtaking. This book is a great glimpse of Paul Bonner's imagination and world that is very inspiring, not just for other illustrators but for anyone with an imagination.

This review is short and to the point: a beautifully illustrated and constructed book that I will use frequently for reference and ideas!

I'm not really much of an art critic, but here goes anyway.
For those of you used to seeing an abundance of Elves in your fantasy, be warned! There is only one present in this entire book! See if you can spot him! Which is strange, considering that both Rackham and Games Workshop feature Elvish Armies!
Mostly Mr Bonner draws a large number of hideous creatures. But what of the humans, and the dwarves? I can hear you say? True, yes, there are lots of those too. But the most stunning illustrations are the ones centered on something truly ugly, somehow painted to resemble beauty. Quite an astonishing feat! Take a look at all those orks he did for the Games Workshop. So full of character, and even a cute form of bumbling savagery. Exhuberance for killing practically seeping from their pores! And you can't tell me those little goblins aren't adorable! Me wanna hug one!

Most of the work contained herein is from these three companies: Games Workshop (where he started) to Riotminds and Rackham (both current, I think). Thematically, the three companies are similar, containing orks, dwarves and dragons. There's also a bit of FASA, as well. The latter touches mostly cyberpunk, with magic around the edges. And what Edges! As my brother (an art major) pointed out, the main thing here is contrast. Lotsa dark, lotsa bright vibrant colors. Almost exaggerated, but really, isn't that the point of fantasy? The bad are worse, the good are better!

Aside from a whole lot of Fantastic Fantasy pics, Bonner also apparently illustrated some dinosaurs! Never seen them before, but they're quite breathtaking! Also a few cover illustrations, followed by posters for LotR and the Prydain Chronicles. A real treat for fantasy buffs. My only complaint with this volume is it doesn't contain my favourite Bonner pic, one from the GW where this Tzeentchian Sorceror is ripping across the battlefield with a sickle. Big old Moon head. It's Magic, seriously. Maybe in some other volume. *sniffs*