Themes Books

This book has wonderful pictures that shows you how to paint with a light touch. It is so hard for me not to be heavy handed with color. Yet this infuses color lightly.... I was encouraged to go for it without intimidation. For the beginner it states things in such a way that are easily understood that some painters( and books) think are intuitive - and simply are not for those of us coming from another media or are just learning at all. Good tips, worth trying...Lovely illustrations.

This book is full of GORGEOUS paintings. The no background style showcases the botanicals beautifully. This is one of my all-time favorite watercolor books.

I found Painting Flowers with Impact to be a stunning presentation of beautiful paintings shown against pristine white pages. This made for a very attractive book but is quite unhelpful if you are struggling with the problem of which background to choose.

It was truly inspirational with enough demonstrations to be helpful I liked her advice on materials colours and composition also good advice on painting white flowers, which I needed. I also found the section on painting leaves very helpful.

I have looked for other books by this author, hoping she is intending a further book covering more about how to paint backgrounds of flowers with impact. She included much information about painting on vellum, which seems to warrant a book all of its own: the space this discussion takes up may have been better used explaining how to paint flowers with impact against a background.

It must have taken a long time to paint all the subjects for this lovely book and I look forward to happily trying out her methods. and look forward to any other painting book she produces. I heartily recommend this book.

I rate this book: 5 stars

This is a great book, terrific colors, technique, and over all extremely inspirational. Leaves the wannabe artist panting for more....However, the only thing that I think Julie Collins should have added was the actual designs for her gorgeous to have been projects for the novice artist. Other than THAT, it is truly a work of art, a masterpiece.

It was a pleasure leaving my feedback for this wonderful book.

I actually purchased this book for a friend. Our art teacher purchased it also. Very informative and well illustrated and written. I plan to purchase the book for myself soon.

Susan Hall's Painting Point Reyes offers a lyrical gallery of rural landscapes wrought with the refined sensibility of an artist who cherishes her birthplace. Ms. Hall's selection of the spacious natural environment for her subject matter - California's stunning Point Reyes National Seashore - is as important as what she leaves out: all the peripheral contemporary distractions of billboards, crowds and cars. By haunting us with the universal through richly layered minimalist compositions often depicted under the diffuse light of night, she offers a spare and precious moment of touching the lagoons and pools, the hillsides and meadows she calls home.

The paintings are haunting and immediately transported me into a place from where I was able to see Pt Reyes spritually rather than literally. Susan's perspective of Pt. Reyes is unusual and soothing. Whether you know Pt Reyes or not, this is an opportunity to get intimate with one of America's greatest artists and look through her eyes at how she describes her place of childhood. Some of the paintings in this book are from private collections, so it was a treat for me to have in my living room, earlier work by Susan Hall, which is otherwise impossible to see, let alone own.

Painting Point Reyes is a real treasure. The collection of beautiful prints of Susan Hall's paintings provide an unparalleled look into the landscapes of Point Reyes through the paint brush of a native and outstanding artist. Her rich paintings are filled with emotion and capture a perspective of Point Reyes that one cannot see with the naked eye. This book resides on my coffee table and is hardly ever closed, people are drawn to it, and thus it is a perfect gift, both for those who know and love Point Reyes as well as those who simply enjoy fabulous art.

As "aum" captures the sound of the universe, as Georgia O'Keefe captures the vibration of a flower, Susan Hall's landscape paintings capture the very "prana" of the land in West Marin County in Northern California. The paintings of rolling green and golden hills, a watery marsh, a farmhouse nestled in the fold of a hill transport the viewer to what is transcendent in the landscape. Susan expresses a deeper essence of the land and water than could ever be subject to words. Her renditions of light, reflection, atmosphere and water are positively multisensory - I feel the density of the air, the moisture that lingers above the pond, I smell the dry sharpness of the grasses. Best of all, she leaves space for the viewer's feelings and projections while nonetheless managing to quietly and subtly uplift and inspire. Look for the joy in the brushstroke, the subtle whimsy in the color, the power in her earth.

The introductory sections are worth reading, locating Hall's body of work in the history of landscape painting (which I suspect will be significant!), in the local geography and geology, in her own personal history/memories there, and.as a commentary on human use of the land and water in the Point Reyes area. From these, the reader gets the sense of the largesse and intelligence and relevance of Hall's landscapes, yet it should be noted that the majority of paintings, modestly titled "Rocks and Sea," "The Beach," "Full Moon," are already in people's collections. A great American painter who obviously speaks to the souls of her audience.

I return to this compilation over and over, to rest, recalibrate and inspire my psyche. In addition to people who appreciate fine art, it is also appropriate for people in psychology, deep ecology, nature enthusiasts, those who live and work in the outdoors, and those in the meditative arts. I gave it to a writer to evoke his cherished spaces in Northern California.

Susan Hall's paintings of Point Reyes, part of the Point Reyes National Seashore, are sublime meditations on a very special landscape. And although the book is a tribute to this idyllic area, her paintings go beyond any physical setting. As I looked through the book I realized that I was turning the pages more slowly at each color plate. The simplicity of the format, the beauty and richness of the colors (which is too often the disappointment in reproductions) and the images themselves captured me and I was reluctant to go quickly. This is a successful representation of both the spirit and the amazing skill of Ms. Hall's work. I highly recommend it.

"Beautiful" another book from this author that has been well thought out, easy to read instructions, the love of what she paints shines through her pictures in this book. Money well spent on this book.

I purchased this book because of its absolutely beautiful conception of birds. I planned to paint them not in oils or in acrilics like shown, but in watercolors. The results were more than satisfactory and the directions made this painting so enjoyable. Anyone who paints in any medium would enjoy having this book added to the "artist's library" of references!

I have several Sherry Nelson books and they are the best books in my art library. They are very informative, clear and concise.
I highly recommend the books.

Sherry C. Nelson has written another great book on painting birds. Her easy to follow instructions enable even a novice to create beautiful works of art.

I love this book. The step by step pictures and instructions on painting all the different kinds of birds and the backgrounds is exactly what I was looking for.

As a recent traveler to Colombia I found this book to be a truly great reminder of my trip. The wide angle photography gives you a pespective that can only be beaten by being there. It feels like you are truly in the picture. I also like the book because it doesn't focus on one area or on one type of geography. Countyside and City are equally represented. As are the mountains, the coastal regions and the jungle.

This is honestly one of the best ever depictions of such a rich country, not only in culture, art, architecture, history and geographical variety, but in the people, the spirit, the colors and the sharp contrasts that this beautiful country has.
The photographer exposes an intimate and personal view that allows us to be inside the picture, as if living it ourselves. He has entered areas and dangerous zones to show us those existing contrasts, and has exposed us to the magnificense of this varied country. It is a perfect example of being able to see through someone else's eyes, and how beautiful it is.

perfect and beautiful. Any time you want to visit a world of difference, beauty -go to this book. I would reccomend this book to any serious cofee table book enthusiast. Weather you have been to Colombia or not, you will like it!

Probably no country in South America has a greater geographical variety than Colombia. In 2002 I spent a month exploring Colombia (although the terrorists-FARC problem seriously restricted my movement). "Panoramic Colombia" helped me to remember, vividly, what I had seen and get a glimpse the many parts of Colombia I needed to return to see.

Using a roundshot, 360 degree camera, Villegas has done a great job of showcasing the cities and natural wonders of Colombia. Each color photograph captures mountains, jungles, coastal areas, rainforests, moorlands, towns and vibrant cities. Each geographical region is delineated by a map (a nice touch). The reproduction of color is a notch below excellent. Most of the two page panoramic photos are 30 inches long, however, there are twenty photos that fold out into three pages, over 45 inches long!

"Panoramic Colombia" is an excellent introduction to Colombia. A great book for anyone who is going to visit, or who has visited, this diverse country. "Panoramic Colombia" would make a fantastic gift for anyone from Colombia or interested in this Latin American gem. Highly Recommended

We purchased the Spanish version of this book while in Colombia. It had been recommended to us by other Colombians who felt it was the best photographic representation thus far of their country. The content is spectacular in that it captures pristine landscapes, beautiful seascapes and candid events. The photo quality itself is slightly imperfect in sharpness and lighting (sometimes the faces are in shadows), but this is understandable with the use of the panoramic lens. I have mostly enjoyed the corresponding eloquent citations from authors describing their impressions of, feelings about or experiences in Colombia.

I am what most people consider an advanced amateur photographer. Last week I went down to Portalnd on Business and used David's book as my guide on a little detour I took on the coast.

I had only one day to drive through the coast. The book was extremely valuable in helping prioritize where to go, and save time by driving right to the good spots. Thanks to this book I was able to take amazing pictures in Cannon Beach and other places.

Absolutely recommended for anyone visiting Oregon, even if you are not a photographer, this book is much better than any tourism guide I have seen.

Covers alot of ground and offers more photo op suggestions than one could ever hope to take in one visit. Used it extensively to plan a photography vacation on Highway 101.

This book was amazingly specific in directions of how to best view an incredible scenery. It was great more for its direction of where to go, park, or stand than the photography tips. The author gave great detail such as tips for how to find the best parking lots, how to avoid the tourist packed spots, and how to find unmarked trails to find fantastic angles in isolation. We used it as our primary guide for three days down the coast and really loved it. Note that the order of the book is generally north to south.

Having this along with my on my recent trip up the Oregon Coast was absolutely invaluable. It helped me choose which turnouts to take and which to bypass. I loved the included suggestions of what to do according to the weather, since several of my days were overcast and drizzle, rendering some of the views drab or nonexistant. I wish there were more books like this available for everywhere I want to go!

I am from New England and have Dave Middleton's books for Vermont & Maine. They have provided me with wonderful opportunities for photography. Having never been to Oregon I'm sure after reading this book that my up coming trip will be that much more successful from having read this book. It was exactly what I was looking for to plan a photography trip to Oregon which included the Oregon coast.

"An alternative universe that ... could easily be heaven ... absurdly elegant ... A beautiful catalogue ... Their creations bristle with audacity, kitschy deadpanning, boldly playful sexiness, and ... a tinge of mystery ... Exquisite."

This book is an excellent presentation of Pierre et Gilles work, esp as a first purchase of their masterworks. It has a great introduction that explains their collaboration which will be of much interest, exp to modern graphic artists who want to do similr work. The prints are gorgeous, and there is a nice variety of work, without including their more "hardcore" pieces to scare off people from appreciatin their work.

Pierre et Gilles are exquisite interpreters of campy glamour.Their sexy saints,their innocently looking yet sizzyingly sexy boys and girls, are like a sumptous glittering candy. I've savoured their work.

This beautiful produced book , accompanying a major exhibition at the new Museum of Contemporary Art, in New York, is a wonderful introduction for anyone to Pierre & Gilles beautiful & unique combination of photography and painting. I have been a fan of Pierre & Gilles for many years, and have enjoyed all of the wonderful collection of books published about them over the years, but this book was indeed welcomed because it has a lot of their new unpublished photographic paintings. Art critic & curator, Dan Cameron, gives a great overview & history of Pierre & Gille's photographic paintings as well as a complete explanation of all of the images presented in this book. It's very insightful and I learned a lot more than I knew before.

So if you are a true fan of Pierre & Gilles work you definitely should have this beautiful book in your collection, or if their work is new to you this is one of the best introductions to their talented and very unique photography.

These two artist are some of the most avantgard and ambicouis photographers of our time. With their representations of saints and their homoerotic pieces they have something for jsut about anybody. I recommmend this book to anyone who is looking to add a very different type of art to their home library!

I am going to Puerto Rico for a vacation. This book will help me to identify the birds that i might see.
Since it is small it is easy to carry around with you. I think that nature lovers would enjoy it. I give it a hearty recommendation

This guide to Puerto Rico's birds is really quite strong and useful, especially when combined with the information on the included CD (which is well organized in both English and Spanish.) Who wouldn't love to just sit at their computer all day and listen to birdsong, at least when they can't be out in the mountains or mangroves of PR?? I found the photographs quite satisfactory for ID purposes (not something to be taken lightly) and the narrative information is very useful.

Just one nit to pick: why is the peregrine falcon described as "a small hawk"?

El libro y el CD son excelentes, sobretodo porque se conecta al internet y uno accesa otros sonidos de aves. Una lástima que el libro en español no incluya el CD, los puertorriqueños leemos y hablamos el español, no entiendo porque el libro en español no pueda incluir el CD con un sonido que es universal : el de los pájaros.

This is the perfect guide book for birding in Puerto Rico. The photographs, 1340 in all, are brilliant, and the text is detailed and rich in information. The guide itself will easily fit into a pocket or day pack and so when out in the field you will have it at your fingertips.

What's unique about this guide is the excellent CD-Rom that comes with it -- this will help you before you go to know what the birds look like, their calls, their behavior and where you can find them once in Puerto Rico. I used the CD-Rom to check out three of my favorite PR birds and was amazed at the numerous and gorgeous pictures, the superb quality of the audio recordings and the information Oberle has reproduced in this book. For instance, regarding the Puerto Rican Tody (one of the 17 PR endemics covered in this guide as well as over 320 other birds), there were a dozen different pictures of the Tody including fabulous close-ups. The information Oberle gives includes identification, voice with audio, habitat, habits, range, status and conservation, taxonomy and related books and articles about the Tody. The Tody is a tiny forest bird with emerald green upperparts and a bright red bill and throat -- everytime I see one I think of a Christmas tree ornament, they are so cute! Oberle discusses in detail what they eat: katydids, grasshoppers, earwings and dragonflies, and discusses as well their foraging techniques. Because Oberle goes into such great detail about ID and habitat/habits, I think this is the best guide to enable one to actually find the birds once in PR.

I also checked out the PR Woodpecker and found those pictures, audio and habitat/habits information just as extensive as that about the Tody. I learned that the woodpecker's stiff tail feathers helps it to gain balance while chiseling at tree bark to find its favorite insects, including earwings, beetle larvae and ants. I discovered it occasionally eats scorpions and and lizards! Oberle informs the reader that a good place to find the woodpecker is around the parking lot of the El Portal visitor Center at the El Yungue national park.

A third bird that is well covered in both the CD and guide is the Pin-tailed Whydah, which has a most remarkable long tail and perches on wires and branches. I was surprised to learn that the female is like our parasitic cowbird and doesn't build her own nest but drops her eggs in other birds' nests.

Oberle has done a splendid job of bringing together in a compact book all the information and photgraphs of birds that you will need when out in the field. Because he cares so much about these birds and the environment, he also has special sections at the begining of the book on conservation efforts, migratory birds that winter in PR, and the extinction issues that face too many birds and other wildlife today in Puerto Rico and elsewhere.

To anyone going to Puerto Rico who plans to do some birding, I heartily recommend this book and CD-Rom to you.

This guide is fantastic! It is well organized, easy to use, full of concise, carefully planned information, and absolutely the best bird book I've ever seen. The photos are extremely well done and very helpful. The descriptions are outstanding: accurate, thorough, and interesting. I have many bird-watchers and long time Audubon members staying here at Villas Margarita, not far from the Caribbean National Forest. They all rave about this book and the fine job Mark Oberle did on it. It is worth every penny! Buy it!

This is one of my favorite books and I often give it to friends. Each page depicts a work of art together with a famous quotation. The peace and quiet atmosphere of the book is attributable perhaps to its Quaker origins. A lovely and elegant work of art in itself.

I was lucky enough to be introduced to this book by a friend who gifted it to me. Now I keep a stock of these books to give whenever the moment is right. The juxtaposition of quotations and images is perfection. Whatever I'm feeling, I know that a read through "The Quiet Eye" will make me feel better.

I have had this book for many years and still return to it for the peace and gentle guidance that come from the carefully chosen quotations. The images complement the quotations in interesting ways and are lovely in and of themselves. This book makes a warm and thoughtful gift for someone whose happiness you truly care about--without spending a fortune, you'll be giving something very much worth keeping.

This small book is so beautiful that it passes into the word "sacred." It doesn't do it justice to describe it briefly as a small book with photos of works of art (painting, sculpture, etc) on one side of the page, and a small quote from scripture or poetry, etc on the facing page. Each pair of art/quote is placed before us so that it may be a portal to meditation and conversation with God. In a way, it is an experiential course in lectio divina. This book is presented from a Quaker perspective, but is, of course, relevant to all Christian (and, really, other) faiths. A collection of this sort could easily have been banal; this one is not. It is a very deep and beautiful collection. I highly recommend it to anyone. It also makes a great gift.

This small, short book is great to have around for odd moments when you need a little tranquillity and beauty. Emphasizes the peaceful and meditative in Western and a little bit of Eastern Art.

I love applique, and this is a really fun book. The quilts showcased just make you smile. I am working my way to making some quilts based on the antics of my cat, Edsel, and this book is a real help. It shows you how to relax and just go with your creative impulses.

This book is one of the most inspirational books on quilting I've read. Mary's approach to applique is inspirational and has gotten my creative juices flowing.

I own both this book and "Whimsies & Whynots" by Mary Lou Weidman - in Whimsies & Whynots there are more large quilt examples to look at, while Quilted Memories has more smaller projects. Both have tons of beautiful examples of Mary's applique quilts, but if I had to choose between the two I'd pick Whimsies & Whynots because there seem to be more quilts in it.

But, this is still a 5-star book, well worth your money.

Others have written books with this same premise. No one has done it better. Mary Lou approaches her free form quilts with energy, imagination and an art background. She shares with the reader thoughts on creativity, suggestions for themes and ideas and the personal stories behind her quilts. I found the entire book captivating and fun to read. Her method is clear and sets just enough structural boundaries so the neophyte will not feel overwhelmed. Practice projects will help you to warm up.

If you love to quilt and want to stretch your imagination, or would like to quilt and need a "can't do it wrong" first project, this book is for you!

This is one of the most colorful and whimsical quilt books I have ever seen! Every page is a delight to the senses and stirs the imagination.

Mary Lou encourages you to get in touch with your creative side and cheers you on from start to finish. From choosing your quilt's theme and background fabric, to applique and piecing techniques, to finishing and embellishments, this book is full of the information and inspiration you need to make your own masterpiece.

Create a memory quilt - You can do it easily with the guidelines in this book.

This book is fantastic. If you need inspiration, ideas, or just a chuckle, this is the book for you.

Max Milligan is an international art photographer. Widely exhibited, his work hangs in private and corporate collections worldwide. All his photographs are naturally lit without the use of flash or filters, and with no subsequent manipulation. You can see an extraordinary collection of his photos, including many from this book, on his website. Google Max Milligan .

REALM OF THE INCAS was published by HarperCollins in 2001. "The Times" [of London] listed it as one of its Top Ten Travel Books of the Year. This edition sold out quickly, but it has been republished by Idlewild. I believe the two editions are identical.

"New Scientist" wrote that this is a "stunning visual odyssey of Inca past and present. It presents nine beautifully conceived photographic essays." I agree completely. The first edition from HarperCollins is a great bargain; if you can't find it, do yourself a great favor and buy the Idelwild edition.

Robert C. Ross 2008

Max Milligan's "Realm of the Incas" is described as a celebration of the extraordinary diversity at the heart of Tithuantinsuyo, or, "Land of the Four Quarters", and that's true, but it is more, much more, for Max is a man deeply in love, in love with a majestic, mysterious and beautiful country and its people. We, the readers of this book, are privileged, privileged to be presented with such a breathtakingly beautiful and wonderful perspective from one so passionate about his subject.

Max Milligan is an outstanding photographer and his magical photographs take us places we've never been before, and make us want to go to them just as soon as we can. His text continues to entice us - to know more about the majestic moments of past and present in Peru's fabled Realm of the Incas.

If your interested in the myths, beliefs and customs of the wonderfully diverse inhabitants of areas such as the Andes, Cuzco, the Amazon, or the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and their rich biodiversity, this book is definitely for you!

This is an excellent book. We did extensive travel in Peru and the book clearly captured what we had learnt.

Wonderful succession of photographs of Inca country accompanied by very personal observations by the photographer, whose love for the region shines through in his text as well as his pictures. Though not a photographer myself, I particular enjoyed some of his comments on how and where certain shots were taken. I can vouch for the accuracy of the depictions, which provide a fine overview of one of the more fascinating parts of the planet.

For those who've been to Peru, this book is a terrific souvenir. The photographs are stunning, interesting and some are unusual, almost abstract; the text is informative and clever and the book covers much of Peru... For those who have not been to Peru, this is an invitation. The book sold out in England. Very worth the price. Top notch.