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"Gargoyles: Monsters in Stone" is a fine educational book by young readers. Jennifer Dussling's text is accompanied by Peter Church's charming full-color illustrations. Together, these collaborators explain the story behind the stone gargoyles that can be seen high up on many buildings.

The book explains the practical function of the gargoyles (to drain water from buildings). The book also explains how a stone carver creates a gargoyle, and illustrates various types of gargoyles. The illustrations are particularly pleasing, as are the Celtic-looking design borders that are used on the pages. A must-have for kids with an interest in the topic.

You know what? My daughter, 23 months, LOVES this book. Gargoyle (or rather, "ga-goyle") has become one of her favorite words. She asks for this book by name frequently, and excitedly points out gargoyles she sees on local buildings in Chicago. This is a pleasant change of pace from the usual childhood fare.

Children will walk away from this easy reader with a wealth of knowledge about gargoyles! The illustrations complement the rich and accessible text by giving a medieval feel! A great read aloud! A great independent read!

This exhibition catalogue contains enlightening and thoughtful essays on seventeenth-century Dutch painter, Gerrit Dou. Dou, one of Rembrandt's students, was highly esteemed during his lifetime for his exquisite technique in painting, but as Arthur Wheelock explains in one of the catalogue essays, his work began to lose favor in the middle of the nineteenth century. This catalogue is a wonderful account of Dou's rise and fall from fame, as well as a study of his masterful painting technique. In addition to the informative text, the color illustrations are beautifully rich, and they do justice to Dou's incredible paintings.

Although Rembrandt and Vermeer are the two most discussed and honored of the Dutch Masters, and deservedly so, Gerrit (or Gerard) Dou had a far more dramatic influence on 17th century art in the Netherlands than either of his better known countrymen. It is Rembrandt's later work, with an individuality so far ahead of its time, and Vermeer's penetrating psychological touches that make them fascinating to us in light of modern movements in art. But the paintings of Dou, by the laborious nature of their creation if not always their actual subject matter, give a much deeper insight into the culture and times in which he lived, and the growing taste for luxury from the then newly-emerged Dutch middle class. His images were themselves like jewels, with beauty almost impossible to imagine coming from a human hand, and the artistic perfection that began with Van Eyck found a worthy successor. When such virtuosity became less appreciated in the late 19th century, however, Dou then suffered the fate that Vermeer had known all along, and his name was all but forgotten. It is to the world's benefit that recent showings at the National Gallery in Washington, as well as this flawless book, are begining to change that. As with all of the other volumes that Arthur Wheelock has compiled and edited, this book provides a thoroughly detailed examination of Dou's work, with the kind of objective insight that can re-emphasize his importance to all those just learning about this amazing painter.

This catalogue to the current Dou exhibition in Washington (NGA - 4/16-10/6,2000) is as splendid and intimate as the show itself - 35 small, exquisitely crafted paintings by the Leiden master who was Rembrandt's pupil while that master was himself still a teenager. Wheelock reviews the critical history around Dou's work - the minutely detailed paintings, with their startlingly accurate and refined light effects were highly valued and admired until Thore-Burger and the early modern critics heralded the taste for broad, expressive brushwork. They labelled his work as superficial and heartless, but more recent work has rediscovered sophisiticated and thoughtful themes in such works as the Quack (included) and the Braamcamp triptych (two closely related works are included). Baer's essay outlines the career, working method and subject matter of Dou, exploring some aspects of his extraordinary "reality effect" as well, while Boersema explores his extraordinary, painstaking technique, reviewing such technical evidence as paint samples and reflectograms from the Lady at her Toilet and the Young Mother, both part of the show. There's not a lot of new work on Dou, so this catalogue is especially welcome to those of us who love Dutch Art of the Golden Age. This NGA cabinet gallery show moves to the London National Gallery for Sept and Nov, and the Hague's Mauritshuis from Dec to next Feb. This catalogue's gorgeous reproductions and substantial bibliography make it a solid, up-to-date reference on Dou too.

I was so struck by the beauty and vivid colors of the projects in this book that I just had to buy it. The picture lanterns on page 30 are of interest to me for they require no special glass, just old jars and such that we all have around, or can find at flea markets for little cost and we actually recycle and make them beautiful by painting. I also love her kindly faces of the Sun & Moon........just beautiful. Her techniques are clear and easy to follow. The book is just so EXCITING!

When looking for a glass painting book, I was after a book that not only showed me how to create the effect I am looking for, but to also give me idea's on what I want to paint. This book has it all. Technique, colour as well as design ideas. Brilliant!!

What can I say? Jane Dunsterville has created a masterpiece of a book. The pictures and related text are very clear and the instructions for the projects are easy to follow. Glass painting is a fascinating craft that can be used to decorate anything from a tooth brush holder to a full window. Jane shows you how to get the best from any given media.

Gods and Generals: The Paintings of Mort Kunstler rivals its previous companion book to Gettysburg. Kunstler tells the story leading up to the battle of Gettysburg using his masterful brush to translate history into color paintings. The text and the paintings weave the tale of how America eventually tore itself asunder in the Civil War. Its an excellent collector's piece and great introduction into the Civil War.
I also found Kunstler did not paint as many movie scenes in this book, instead capturing the actual historical looks of these "Gods and Generals" of the Civil War. Any lover of history or military art will appreciate his attention to detail and riviting scenes. Enjoy!

Mr. Kunstler has provided us with another book of his arrestingly beautiful paintings. Art, of course, is largely a matter of taste and proverbially in the eye of the beholder. Mr. Kunstler, however, even from as objective a standpoint as possible, has no peer as a chronicler of the Civil War. I have been interested in that period of history for about half a century, but it has been Mr. Kunstler's paintings over the past dozen or more years that have brought that war to life for me, and, I am sure, for many others. Although he is a prolific artist, he never compromises with quality, and the quality of his work is unsurpassed.

The subjects of Mr. Kunstler's paintings are invariably interesting, and he does not like to paint scenes or events that have been done previously by other artists. This book is the companion to, and illustrative of, the events and people of the novel "Gods and Generals" by Jeff Shaara, soon to be made into a motion picture of the same name. It follows four exceptional soldiers through the first two years of the war: Robert E. Lee, Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson, Winfield S. Hancock, and Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain.

In this book, there are many new paintings not yet published elsewhere, but whether you are an old Kunstler aficionado or newly introduced to his work, you will find this book unequaled. The reproductions of the paintings are eye-catching, displaying each painting in vibrant, striking colors, true to Mr. Kunstler's originals. I say above that his paintings are educational, and so they are. I urge you to look closely at every work of art. If you do, you will not only see an astonishing amount of detail, but also learn much about the people, the times, the objects people used, and the war. Again, we have Mr. Kunstler's constant striving for perfection to thank for paintings which are correct in every detail. He is the quintessential perfectionist, who painstakingly researches every detail, no matter how small, to provide his audience with true, as well as beautiful, depictions of people, places, and things. He consults with knowledgeable historians, such as Professor Robertson, who wrote the text for this book, on even such matters as the weather on the particular day that he wants to depict in a painting. All of the accouterments are true, as well as the animals, the uniforms, the weapons, the landscapes, the battlefield situations, the lighting -- everything. Rarely does one find, in one individual such as Mr. Kunstler, artistry to the point of genius coupled with an unceasing demand for perfection in all of the details of his art.

I admit that I am no connoisseur of art and that I can claim no expertise or experience in art. Even someone such as I, however, can at least partially appreciate the artistic techniques used by Mr. Kunstler. His positioning of people, animals, buildings, and other objects to lead the observer's eye to the main subject of the painting, his extraordinary use of light to play on this or that subject in the picture in greater or lesser brilliance in order to accentuate or subordinate that subject, and his use of color, always precise, to delineate bright sunshine or dark shadow, or to emphasize or minimize, are all techniques that even such as I can note and admire. His paintings are so life-like as to defy the observer to differentiate them from photographs. But no photographs could depict such wonderful color and the precise instants in time which Mr. Kunstler so deftly chooses to picture.

Mr. Kunstler has, with every book he has introduced, been able to obtain the very best in historians/commentators to draft the texts. He has obtained the services of, for example, Henry Steele Commager (for the book "The American Spirit: The Paintings of Mort Kunstler"), James I. Robertson, Jr. (for "Jackson and Lee: Legends in Gray," "The Confederate Spirit: Valor, Sacrifice and Honor," and the current work), James M. McPherson (for "Gettysburg"), and Dee Brown (for "Images of the Old West"). Dr. Robertson's text in "Gods and Generals: The Paintings of Mort Kunstler" is, as always, the perfect complement to the paintings. As with Mr. Kunstler's art, so also with Dr. Robertson's narrative, one can learn much, whether one is a novice or an experienced hand.

Thus, whether you are a "Civil War buff" or simply interested in exceptional art and edifying prose, you will enjoy this book (and you would do well to consider obtaining Mr. Kunstler's previous books, named parenthetically above). You cannot go wrong with the team of Kunstler and Robertson.

This book is worth 5 stars!! My 8 year old son is just beginning to discover what it means to be born in the south. I want him to have an accurate picture of what the civil war was all about. It is hard to find civil war books with enough pictures to keep him interested. This book has plenty of high quality art for him to see and includes text that we can read together! I highly reccomend it based on those gorgeous paintings.

David Silcox's beautiful blending of Canada's best-loved artists captures the magnificent richness of the northern landscape. I particularly like the way the paintings have been grouped thematically into portraits: wilderness, rural life, and the Canadian Arctic to name a few. The author's written commentary is clear and concise about what the Group of Artists was trying to accomplish without overpowering the visual impact of the work. It is a book that is incredibly satisfying to the eye. One you'll not set aside easily.

Even those very familiar with the work of Tom Thomson and The Group of Seven will experience the thrill of rediscovering their work anew as they turn the pages of this magnificent book. The paintings come gloriously alive and are juxtapositioned to complement one another with superb care and sensitivity. This book is a true feast for the senses.

David Silcox's GROUP OF SEVEN AND TOM THOMSON celebrates eleven artists who broke with tradition and established a new way of painting Canada. The members called themselves the Group of Seven, but there were eventually ten members and one Tom Thomson, who died before it was established, remained a major influence on the group. Collections with a special interest in Canadian art and artists will find this of special interest.

This address book is lovely, with country home drawings, and good quotes to brighten your day, and nice little details everywhere. I like its size, not too small, not too big--it fits nicely in my desk drawer and hand. Best of all, the space for addresses isn't labled for telephone, email, etc. Which means I can fill it in the way that is convenient for me. That is important, since many addresses take up more than the traditional three lines alloted by most address books. There are five lines per entry, spaced like a college ruler notebook. There is an extra lined page at the beginning of each letter of the alphabet, for personal notes. There are plenty of refill pages, and space for notes at the end. The only drawback for me, is that there is no pocket to insert loose notes or cards. All in all, a very good buy.

Susan Branch is a not long to be so obscure author who hand writes everything and it all has a homemade touch. Any woman would enjoy the extra care she puts into the little things in life. Treat yourself! Buy the calendars too!

This address book contains plenty of space for your friends' addresses, and is full of Susan's drawings and quips. I have never been disappointed with anything she has written, and read her books over and over. If you're having a dull day, this will brighten it up! I have most of Susan's books in my collection, and they are full of upbeat thoughts and ideas. Susan Branch's books are THE BEST!!! They are great gifts for your friends and family, too!

A beautiful book: the colors sing. This is joyful, breathtaking, work from one of the world's true artists, of any period. A wonderful gift.

... coupled with a large format and excellent translations, makes this the single most important volume for lovers of Hiroshige, and especially for those fond of his kacho-ga (birds and flowers). This is not just another art book. You won't understand until you see it. And you must see it.

This is simply one of the most beautiful books ever published (on any subject)!!! Hiroshige has collected some of the most attractive Japanese color prints ever created, replete with Japanese poetry and translations. I literally could not put this book down -- I also gasped in awe several times. Braziller has done a wonderful job -- the book is coffee table sized and is bound with quality and workmanship. This is a class act in all regards. Some might balk at the price tag, but believe me it is well worth it!

Creating art work that passes on a political message, that is spawned in part from social awareness, is almost impossible to do well. Holly was always an artist first, and the paintings and drawings in this book testify that she broke the rules to become the exception--while rendering her rage over her breast cancer she transcended it to make a thoroughly beautiful body of work.

Hollis Sigler has created a visual language, easily learned and powerfully understood, using images of a woman's everyday life to portray wildly varying emotions of a woman diagnosed with re-occurring cancer. "Hollis Sigler's Breast Cancer Journal" show's Hollis' own incredible strength in living and painting life to the fullest while concurrently fighting serious illness. Her drawings and paintings reflect the experiences of women living with breast cancer and those who care for them, while providing a means of immediate, almost organic emotional understanding to their families, neighbors, and friends. Hollis is brave, powerful, and very much attached to life. Her struggles are all of ours: through her art we learn to better understand ourselves. From 1994-1997 The Society for the Arts in Healthcare (SAH) sponsored with the National Museum of Women in the Arts a national tour to 24 hospitals of replicas, donated by Polaroid Corporation, of 14 Hollis Sigler drawings and painting about living with breast cancer, all of which now appear in "Hollis Sigler's Breast Cancer Journal." Hollis' powerful images provided a vehicle for patients and families, doctors and nurses, visitors, medical students and non-professional staff to consider breast cancer from a visually articulate patient's point of view. Kathy Miller of the Cancer Wellness Center in Northbrook, IL wrote at the time about the art and Hollis Sigler: "The art is thought-provoking for people of all ages and in all stages of health....Women have a lot in common -- her work says it all." Hollis Sigler's work is important, a series of visual statements with the same emotional validity as the writings of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross or the choreography of Bill T. Jones. I have shown some of Hollis' images which appear in this book during arts-in-healthcare talks to medical students in Ohio, patients in New York, and healthcare professionals in Japan. The images have always met with visual and emotional appreciation and immediate understanding from the audience. From the standpoint of this particular reader and member of the Arts in Healthcare movement, "Hollis Sigler's Breast Cancer Journal" is a Must Read!

This book is a success story, not in the sense of finding a tidy, happy resolution to a difficult biography, but of illuminating both the human capacity to act bravely and forcefully and the power of art to communicate about impossibly difficult things. "On the wall of deadly silence about the disease, I aimed to hang my Breast Cancer Journal. This work was an outcry." And it still is. Breast cancer is an immense epidemic, affecting more people than AIDS, yet it gets far less attention. It is just as complicated emotionally because of the way that death shadows it and the blows it deals to the literal form of femininity. Through her quirky, poignant, personal art, Sigler depicts a universal experience of how it feels to live with disfiguring disease, with loving others while ill oneself, with ignorance, with the trauma of treatments more drastic than the disease. She deals with the loneliness of illness and with the power of art to communicate, to create community, to produce social action. This is an instructive, inspiring and truly spiritual book.

You can't buy the book "How to draw Spirit and Friends" in Germany, but you can order it! I'm come from Germany and I've order this book! I hope, it is a great book. You sad it's great and the booktitle sounds very good!

This is one of the most greatest spirit produts, It has step by step drawing tips on how to draw spirit and Friends.

The title of the booklet "How To Draw Spirit And Friends" is somewhat self-explanatory. Fans of the movie "Spirit: Stallion Of The Cimarron" will have hours of fun looking at and trying to copy the excellent illustrations of DreamWorks artist Lawrence Hamashima. The drawing tips are interesting not only for children, but for everyone who wants to learn more about the artwork of animation drawing as well as horse anatomy.

At the beginning, general tips for drawing are given, while extra tip boxes appear on the following pages, pointing out interesting drawing facts the reader might not have noticed otherwise. Step by step it's explained how to draw Spirit as a colt, Spirit, the eagle, Rain, Spirit running, Esperanza, and Little Creek. Each chapter is preceded by a short introduction telling about the western frontier and horses.

Except for a removable full-color poster, the booklet is in old-fashioned sepia colors, thus adding to the Old West-style. The result is a highly recommendable drawing guide for fans of the movie interested in the brilliant artwork of "Spirit: Stallion Of The Cimarron."

This book is brilliant. Although it won't teach you how to paint, it will give you the greatest insight into how to mix colours for a near perfect image. Whether you are an amature or a professional, a book like this and at such a small cost is worth having on your shelf as an anytime reference.

This book, with its charts of sample mixes and color tones in various media, is a great asset if you are just begining to paint portraits or people. It will give you a good basic understanding of color mixing for skin tones. ( no need to buy premixed colors! Be able to paint the nuance of people, not reduce everyone to the same "skin tones.") In addition, it discussed the effects of shadow and reflected color. Nice illustrations, photos and color charts.

I found this book to be very helpful. Not only did it go in depth about tecniques for creating realistic paintings and portraits, but it also had a complete color guide for creating specific skin tones! I also enjoyed the step by step demonstrations, which again proved useful. I'd recommend this book to artists of all media, whether you work with oils, watercolors, acrylics, gouache, or pastel, this book will be a valuble resource.