Comprehensive, Beautiful, Inspiring
356747
Book Review: Daily Painting by Carol Marine

book-review-daily-painting-by-carol-marinePaint Small and Often to Become a More Creative, Productive, and Successful Artist

Between both the title and the subtitle, they give an accurate picture of what this book is abouthow daily painting a small sized canvas will help you to become a more successful artist (that is, sell more work, make more money).

Almost every page has beautiful full color, good quality photos.

Daily Painting has lots of inspiration and encouragement to help you paint more often. Explanations of all the many benefits of painting smaller and more often are also included.

This book is comprehensive. It includes general painting guidelines and how to-s for choosing materials, color mixing, values, perspectives, and composition. Also included are chapters on taking photos of your work and up to date information on how to sell your work online. If theres something important missing, I don't know what it is.

To top all this great stuff off, also included in this book are several articles from other artists on various relevant topics dispersed throughout.

If you are a visual artist and need some inspiration to paint more often or information on how to sell more of your work online, this book is for you.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group as part of their blogging for books program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commisions 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
2134334
Very comprehensive, wide, deep, inspiring. It's not about specifically about proving, but rather about visualizing perspectives.
2210022
I first picked up this book a couple years ago, when I was fortunate enough to hear one of the authors speaking at my local library. This husband and wife team painstakingly mapped out every single public, walking trail in Westchester County, noting the walking surface, foliage, noise, crowds, parking, difficulty and length of the path, and the elevation. The book is well organized, listing parks by size (from tiny "pocket parks" to enormous parks such as Rockefeller State Park in Pocantico) and by location within the county.

The book includes detailed maps of the parks, as well as a number of lovely photographs. This book is comprehensive, amazing in detail, and was clearly a labor of love.

My husband and I have lived in Westchester County for over 20 years, and we take nature walks almost every week. Yet, this book introduced us to several wonderful parks we would have never known about otherwise. For example, this book inspired us to try some terrific trails within Rockefeller Park (such as the Pocantico River Trail and 13 Bridges Loop) that we had not tried before, as well as the adorable little TeaHouse path hidden within Irvington.

I cannot praise this book enough, and I am so grateful this couple did the exhausting work of compiling the information in this book.
4857223
This is the best book of photography I've ever seen. I had become acquainted with Brad Oliphant over the years, and he would kindly send some of his photos to my wife Cindy and me. I remember remarking to Cindy, "This guy's got something." The photos were simply stunning; other worldly. So when Brad asked me to write a brief Forward for his book I was more than happy to. The book combines amazingly beautiful pictures with quotations from the modern metaphysical masterpiece, A Course in Miracles. The quotes fit the pictures very well, invoking an experience that is at once peaceful, and also transcendent. I can't recommend this book highly enough. We've only had it on our coffee table for a few days and already two people have wanted to know how they can get it. Brad does great work, and you'll be very happy with the result. Enjoy!
2109880
Beautiful, beautiful teachings. And lots of new material, not just old stuff recycled. I would like to return to this book over and over again.
2165323
If you were faced with the dreaded "only one" question for a comprehensive book on mastering the processes of making complex cloth, this would be IT.(See Su Bleiweiss' review for a description of what "art cloth" or "complex cloth" is.)

This is a truly marvelous book. It is gorgeous,of course, with just enough beautifully-done photos of Jane Dunnewold's and others' pieces of complex art fabric to inspire but not so many as to overwhelm or intimidate It is well-written, and extensive beyond anything else available. Each process (dyeing,discharging,stamping & stenciling,resists (both water-based and bound), and screenprinting - plus metallic foiling & leafing)) is laid out, in an extremely clearly-written text. It is written so that you could start at the beginning and work through all the processes in order - and if you did all that, I imagine you would end up very highly-skilled indeed!

Probably most fabric artists have some level of mastery of most of the processes in the new Art Cloth: A Guide to Surface Design for Fabric, and have dozens of books covering the various techniques. I know I certainly do - and Jane Dunnewold's earlier book, Complex Cloth, has previously been my best guide. It looks to me that with the publication of this new book, Art Cloth is now THE book to have, if you could only have one - it's certainly the one I will keep closest at hand.

In addition to the various techniques, Jane talks about the process of creating meaningful layered cloth, and about the profound importance of "making" itself It's not just a "step 1, step 2" process (although the steps are all there, very clearly put forth), but a very personal & soulful journey. One of the things I love about Jane's work is the way she layers into her cloth words, phrases, and symbols that are meaningful to her - but these phrases are obscured, like the scenery in a deep fog: you may catch only a whisper or a hint of them, or maybe none at all beyond the impression of a letter or two, but the meaning is a deep part of the piece, the part that gives it life and soul. I think of these mostly-secret messages as prayers laid into each layer of the work. More importantly, though, it remains very clear that this book will be about YOUR work, YOUR journey, YOUR mastery and application of the outlined techniques - Jane's work is about Jane's vision, and YOUR work will be about your own.

If you haven't already ordered it, you should do so immediately (no affiliation, just a grateful learner!). Whether you are a total beginner or an advanced fiber artist, this book will inspire and support your journey of exploration. It would be worth the price even if you only wanted to look at the pictures - but there is so much more in these pages!
4936329
Beautiful, inspiring.... It goes into the deepest parts of the human beings, touching history and legends, as well as explanations
2906680
Living as Form is an extensive and inspiring compilation of projects and artworks that exist outside of the mainstream art complex and that blur the boundaries of art and everyday life, emphasizing the possibilities for expanded civic engagement. The book and associated exhibition present new forms of presentation, too, with a nomadic expanding exhibition and a team of collaborative curators from all over the world. With a series of essays by significant contemporary thinkers, the book presents an opportunity to become more familiar with each of the diverse works incorporated into Living as Form and for the reader to develop his or her own opinions on the significance of social practice itself. I would encourage those from all backgrounds and interests to pick up the book and consider the significance of these artists not only within the art-world but also outside of it.
2925048
When I first started reading this wonderful book, I thought I would focus on one chapter a week and let is be a guide for the whole year. As I was reading, I found that I couldn't put it down and ended up reading it in several days. First I thought, oops, I cheated. Now I realize how much I am looking forward to reading it again and how I can cherish each chapter on a weekly basis and apply its powerful meditations and practices.

This book is an absolute treasure I can see myself referring to again and again. I also plan on purchasing several copies for friends as it is an ideal gift. The authors writing style is personal yet so universally appealing.

Agapi shares powerful insights and she offers lovely meditations and practices to experience, as the subtitle of the book suggests, a calmer, happier life. I can honestly say I felt calmer and happier as I read it the first time. I can only imagine how I will feel when I apply the suggestions and take my time with the meditations and practices. As I read the text, I could feel how absolutely caring, passionate, and wise the author is. It is not one of those self-help books where the author seems like they are telling you what you do. Rather, I feel like Agapi is holding my hand on this journey of life with all of its magnificent twists and turns. After having read this book, I feel like I have better tools and insights to navigate the journey with grace no matter what the circumstances.

Another fun aspect of this book I discovered by accident. I had it on my coffee table over the holidays and as guests came by, they were drawn to the book and inevitably opened to a chapter that applied to them. Consequently, this book opened up a lovely conversation among friends time and time again.

Agapis transparency in her writing is so refreshing, and consequently, her insights are truly illuminating. This book is destined to become a classic. Thank you Agapi for another masterpiece.
2029743
The author has done a beautiful job in this book.  She highlights nine strategies to "embody the extraordinary" and what follows is a straight forward collection of stories and experiential wisdom.  The book inspires one to pay attention to the details that encourage a more fulfilling life and one that speaks to all of our needs and desires.  Thank you Barbara Wayman for writing a very readable book on a very important topic - how to be your best in this life.
9457
What a gorgeous book! Not to wear out that old phrase "a picture is worth a thousand words" - but here it is true.  In this large volume you will find every page is a beautiful photo of people smiling, laughing, meditation, and generally having an experience of Bliss at a "Transformation Festival" such as Rainbow Gathering and Burning Man, among many others.  These are photos of "neohippies" - those who still resonate with the soul of what Hippie has always represented - oneness with eachother and the Universe.  There are no words with these photos - there doesn't have to be.  At the end, there are a few short stories of experiences from people who go to these festivals.  Many of the people in this book go to as many festivals as they can, keeping in touch with their "family" and their sense of "being home".  It's awesome to know that people still have that sense of Bliss, and Hope, and devotion to saving the Earth and loving eachother and all of humanity with all of it's beauty and flaws.  This book is a joyous celebration. It is truely beautiful.  A bit of a warning - there are several pictures with full and partial nudity (people mediating, dancing, etc) but no sexual situations.  Just real, beautiful, free people.  It will take you back, it will take you forward. There are no words, because "There are no words".
2462530
What a beautiful book, pictorially and spiritually!  It is so inspiring.  Sandy Boucher writes with great insight and passion and she has
gathered many amazing writers and artists from around the world to share their experiences of Kwan Yin - many of the stories are miraculous.
This book, in my experience, is quite unique, and one to treasure always.  Paul Boesing
844021
An excellent book all around! The projects are sophisticated and very wearable. Photography is inspiring. Instructions are clear. Lots of techniques are singled out for special emphasis, so it's a teaching workshop as well as a project book. Because of the quality of the fabric design, these can be considered useful samples for all kinds of wearables. AND... That's not all you get! The book itself is simply beautiful. I sense a weaving renaissance in the offing and fully believe that this book will help kick it off.
3200432
I rarely write a review for a book before reading it in its entirety, but for this book I shall make an exception. The artwork is beautiful, yes. But the book's contents are even more lovely. The introduction is revealing, and the prose is well-formulated, insightful, and inspiring. I intend to gift this to someone very special.
3036875
Inspiring, instructive, and beautiful presentation of Sogetsu ikebana for neophytes and seasoned practitioners alike, this book is sure to please.
2302477
This book not only contains beautiful and inspiring watercolor pictures (and lots of them!!!), but it's also the most complete, modern and easy-to-understand book about watercolor painting I've ever come across (and I've read pretty much all of the others). If you want an inspiring and entertaining book on how to approach watercolor painting and drawing and how to develop your skills once you get a hang of it, this is the one book you need. I'm very impressed.
4211650
Absolutely Beautiful and Inspiring! I love all of the gorgeous photographs and inspiring thoughts backed with scripture!