Reviews (1)

A great carving book!
I purchased this book about 8 years ago, and am just now getting around to actually doing the "primary" Santa depicted in it.
This is a great book for beginner to intermediate carvers. It's chock full of photos, and has the finished product depicted from several different angles......all at a great price, too! Buy this book! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

Very helpful
This book is great for a beginner to learn all the basics of whittling. i was making a wooden chain in no time at all and im ready to go on to the more challenging projects.

The Great American Whittling Book!
Written in the thirties this is the whittler's magnum opus. Classic whittling tricks and projects, soap carving, etc. Get this book, a pocket knife and a chunck of white pine. Find a shady tree or a park bench and whittle away. Want to make a pair of operational box jointed wooden pliers?, a ball in a cage?, a wooden chain? Tangerman will walk you through the process step by step. It is easier than it looks. I have a wooden chain with a ball in a cage hanging in the shop for people to casually discover. When they do my stock goes up three or four points right away. ... Read more

Book Description

Step-by-step guide to materials and tools, modeling in wax and plaster, hollow wax modeling, plaster molds, and much more. Introduction. "The beginning artist will find the step-by-step instructions...to be like having a personal tutor."—Enchantment. 281 photographs.
... Read more

Reviews (1)

The basics are covered at last!
This is one of the reference books I keep in my studio.It covers techinques on materials that are not covered in other sources. The set up of the book is logical and helps one to understand the materials and techinques valuable to a sculptor focusing on the figure and other forms of expression. So valuable are these techiques as they offer a sculptor the opportunity to quickly create his design with the use of fairly inexpensive materials. i highly recommend this book to anyone serious about sculpture. ... Read more

Book Description

Published to celebrate the centennial of Joseph Cornell's birth in 1903, this book provides a fresh, multidimensional perspective on the pioneering modern artist. Lavishly illustrated with over seventy-five boxes and collages, as well as images of the fascinating source material that the artist collected to create his exquisitely crafted worlds, the book communicates to the reader the sense of surprise and delight that one experiences upon viewing the actual boxes with their toys, stuffed birds, maps, clay pipes, marbles, shells, and other paraphernalia of daily life.

The book's essays bring together the expertise of Lynda Roscoe Hartigan, chief curator at the Peabody Essex Museum and former director of the Joseph Cornell Study Center; the compelling commentary of Walter Hopps, art dealer, museum curator, and the artist's personal friend; the wide-ranging scholarship of Richard Vine, author and managing editor of Art in America; and the sensitivity of Robert Lehrman, a leading Cornell collector whose firsthand experience lends this publication its distinctive intimacy. Among the topics explored are the role of dualities in the artistic process, the dominant themes of Cornell's oeuvre, and the importance of his Christian Science faith.

Through its innovative technology, the book's companion DVD-ROM delivers an encyclopedic compendium of the artist's works and source materials, the insights of numerous scholars and critics, access to Cornell's experimental films, and interactive opportunities that promote an utterly unprecedented investigation of his art. 231 illustrations, 205 in color; DVD-ROM. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

New Printing in March of 2004
For those of you who missed the first printing and are choking on the $120+ price tags of the "second" hand copies, please know that the Voyager Foundation is doing a second printing in March of 2004 - keep on top of the listings and snap one up as soon as it appears - for the low-low asking price of $60.

The DVD Alone would be worth the price
This is a wonderful way to examine Joseph Cornell's work up close, in a way that most people will never be able to do. We normally can not turn the boxes around, and look at them closely at every angle, unless we know a Cornell collector. With this DVD you can do that, and these works were intended to be seen that way. The book is beautiful and thoughtfully written; it fills in background needed to fully appreciate the works.

Great tribute to a Great Artist
This is a superlative tribute to and presentation of Cornell's beautiful work. I suggest the reviewer who said that there is no DVD included request a replacement and retract the above review. There IS a DVD, and it is wonderful.

The Attention to Cornell's Detail is Wonderful!
I don't think the Reader from Virginia Beach looked closely enough for the DVD. It's tucked away in the back cover of the book (lift the back flap of the book jacket to reveal it).

This book and DVD make Cornell, the person, come alive. His objects are beautiful but his motivations for making such wonderful work are brightly illuminated in Lynda Hartigan's well-written book and Robert Lehrman's DVD.

I am a developer of New Media and this has got to be one of THE BEST DVDs I have ever seen. The interface is beautiful and rich. And, most of all, it allows you to get close to Cornell's work (both physically and conceptually).

BEWARE! No DVD included!
The book is ok, I guess, but if you expected the much-lauded DVD to be included, you'll be disappointed. There is no DVD! The photos in the book, alone, do not do justice to Cornell's creations!(Especially for the cost...) ... Read more

Book Description

Now available in paperback, this retrospective book covering the work of Andy Goldsworthy from 1976 to 1990 remains one of the most comprehensive publications on the acclaimed artist. With nearly 200 illustrations featuring early examples of his ephemeral works made of leaves, stalks, sand, and snow, Hand to Earth offers fascinating insights into the ways in which Goldsworthy creates his unique and highly personal artworks. AUTHOR BIO: ... Read more

Book Description

The sculpture of Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848-1907), called the "American Michelangelo," has often been compared to the magnificent works of the Renaissance. As an advocate of new ideas and a new approach to sculpture, Saint-Gaudens played a preeminent role in developing America’s cultural life and revitalizing the art of sculpture in the modern age.

Sculpture came into its own in the United States after the Civil War (1861-65), when numerous monuments were commissioned to commemorate the national crisis and subsequent unification. In addition, the amassing of private fortunes during the country’s unprecedented economic and financial growth led to an interest in sculpture for personal collections. Saint-Gaudens contributed works of both types. His Shaw Memorial (1897), commemorating the Massachusetts Fifty-fourth Regiment, the first U.S. Army unit of African Americans, and his Lincoln Monument (1887) are among the most moving of the nation’s Civil War monuments, while his Adams Memorial (1891) is one of the most evocative of his privately commissioned works.

The son of immigrants, Saint-Gaudens studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in France and spent eight years in Europe, where he found a freer and bolder form of artistic expression. On his return to the United States in 1875, he used his European training to create a new American style incorporating simplicity of subject, realism of form, and strength of emotion. In addition to his monuments, his works also included interior decoration for some of the great houses of the Gilded Age, portrait reliefs, and medals and U.S. coinage.

Progressive rather than revolutionary, Saint-Gaudens had a great influence on his and the subsequent generation of American sculptors through his teaching and his lead in establishing organizations for the support and training of American artists, including the Society of American Artists. His legacy, as both artist and educator, is nothing less than the shaping of American culture. ... Read more

Book Description

Beautifully illustrated throughout, this book showcases many of Michelangelo's artworks, architecture and even his poems. Learn about Michelangelo the man, his life, his exceptional varied talents, and the impact of his creative works in relation to those of his time. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Fantstic display of Michelangelo's greatest works
This book is great. I just got it and I love it! I flipped through the awesome pictures so fast, I couldn't get enough. Now I'm taking my time and reading all of the great facts about Michelangelo and his art. I recommend this book for anyone who loves art as much as I do. ... Read more

Book Description

When Michelangelo left Florence for Rome in 1534, the Medici tombs were unfinished, but there was never any question of another sculptor being brought in to finish them. They were already icons of artistic perfection, which it would be sacrilege for anyone else to touch. That eminence they retain to this day. The two seated Medici dukes and the reclining figures of Night, Day, Dawn, and Dusk are among the most famous sculptures in the world, endlessly copied and universally recognizable. Yet however familiar these images are, this superb collection--160 pages of exquisitely printed photographs by a master photographer--makes it a revelation to see the originals. We are able to appreciate their forms and dwell on their details in an unprecedented way. Particularly now, since the tombs have been cleaned and restored, it is possible to imagine Michelangelo's chisel at work, and to marvel afresh at the sheer physical power that for his contemporaries made him almost superhuman. Accompanying essays by Bruno Santi, Director of the Medici Chapel from 1982 to 1992, and by the art historians Antonio Paolucci and James Beck, provide the historical background to the Chapel, essentially the Medici family's mausoleum, and explain how the concept changed over the fifteen years when Michelangelo was working on it. Originally envisaged as commemorating four members of the family, including Lorenzo the Magnificent, with a huge freestanding tomb, it was eventually confined to only two--who might now be totally forgotten but for their monuments. The little building that contains them is as important in the history of Mannerist architecture as the figures are in that of sculpture: indeed, no other location, not even the Sistine Chapel, captures the essence of Michelangelo's genius so intensely. 201 duotone illustrations. ... Read more

Book Description

Start to finish, all the instructional details are included for every phase of wax casting and mold-making in this second edition of the definitive text on jewelry making. Creating models directly in wax frees the artist and craftsman from traditionally cumbersome and restrictive methods, resulting in a faster, easier and more spontaneous approach. This fully illustrated book is a must have source for the jeweler, teacher, student, craftsman and sculptor. Drawing on over 30 years of practical experience, Lawrence Kallenberg brings the text up to date, offering information on new breakthroughs in the casting process, as well as new waxes and equipment now available.

-In-depth resource on this ancient jewelry-making technique.
-16-page color gallery.
-Illustrated with finely executed drawings of work in progress. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good starter book
Complete and easy read a great place to start.

A very good foundation book
I wish I had this book when I first started to sculpt figures in wax. I would have saved myself a lot of time and agrivation. I would have also saved myself quite a bit of money by using good tequniques, and in that respect alone this book would pay for itself. If you are just getting into wax sculpture, this book would lay a very strong foundation from which to build your skills.

Learned more than in 6 months apprenticeship
I got this book after making jewelry for 3 years and lost wax casting for 6 months. Boy, did I learn a lot! The projects are truly outstanding. They show a wide variety of techniques and styles. Try each one even if it's not a style you're really big on - I did and found neat ways to do things I wanted to do that I hadn't managed before. I require this as a text for all my apprentices who do casting. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Sol LeWitt "is to art as Bach was to music," says conceptual artist Adrian Piper, indicating LeWitt's seminal importance to both the theory and practice of contemporary art. LeWitt's creations are the direct embodiments of his theoretical writings, abstract principles that he develops with supreme integrity into physical form. Recognizing his key role in the minimalist and conceptual movements of the 1960s and '70s, New York's MoMA gave LeWitt a major retrospective in 1978. Sol LeWitt: A Retrospective and the accompanying exhibition organized by Gary Garrels of the San Francisco Museum of Modern bring us up-to-date.

During the '80s and '90s, LeWitt's work moved from a cerebral asceticism toward rich color and surfaces and a more explicit sensuality and expressiveness. Nearly 500 carefully chosen and well-reproduced photographs and drawings document this evolution. Together with a sampling of LeWitt's own pithy statements, lucid essays by seven of America's leading curators analyze his contributions to contemporary art. Typical of his methods and attitudes are his signature large-scale wall paintings, their sense of movement and bright bands of color making them among the most gorgeous of his works. While articulating the designs of the wall paintings and the concepts behind them, LeWitt does not paint them himself. He is generous in welcoming anyone else to give physical reality to his designs: "It would be a compliment," he says. Sol LeWitt is a beautiful and substantial book, and its range of illustration and depth of scholarship make it the definitive study of this highly influential artist. --John Stevenson ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Not just a coffee table book!
For those of you have seen the Sol LeWitt exhibits, this book captures many of those works and more. It offers background information and discussion.

However, this book goes beyond the exhibit installations and shows examples of installations around the world (outdoor structures, indoor wall murals, etc). These are things by an accomplished artist that are just not "out there" for you and I to view.

For those who don't know, Sol Lewitt is an amazingly talented and intelligent artist. Yes, intelligent. Almost autistic seeming at times, Sol Lewitt has a way of setting up circumstances for artistic study and then executing *every* *single* possibility as deemed by those circumstances. In one exhibit (shown in this book), Sol LeWitt examines and deconstructs all the possible forms of an open frame cube. In other examples (also in this book and at the exhibit) are line drawings examining the interaction of hundreds of overlapping circles emanating from various points on the canvas.

Much Sol Lewitt's work goes unnoticed (not much of a web presence, and hard to find posters, examples and pictures). This book helped fill in the gaps and offer a more rounded treatise of his work. Having owned it for months, it is still a pleasure to flip through this book and explore the concepts and discoveries that the artist has gone through. These discoveries are amazingly illustrated (few art books capture the entire series and the evolution of the artist like this one does).

I have enjoyed this book tremendously....it is a sizeable book that is worth the money and is well put together. Worth the purchase.

The Show Itself
I saw LeWitt's "Retrospective" show in Chicago and loved it.It's great that a book is offered of such a fabulous show that offers the diverse and evolving work of one of the best contemporary artists in the U.S. If the book is anything like the show, I highly recommend it as an enjoyable addition to anyone's collection of art books.

lewitt is rad
sol lewitt is my #1 favorite artist. i own many books of his work, and i must say that this is one of the most complete. its got everything. if you went to the sf moma and saw this exibition you wont be dissapointed by this book, it captures it the experience well. if you ever get the chance to see lewitts work in person, DO NOT MISS IT ! you will regret it ! in person these works are extremely powerful !

A Fine Catalogue of a Superb Exhibit
Sol LeWitt is an artist for whom the catalogue is both essential and apt. Because his conception and work mainly consists of a set of instructions that are then executed by other artists, the results can be displayed in many different places. While the literally enormous beauty of the wall paintings and drawings cannot be displayed in the book, that's not the point. The paintings and drawings themselves are temporary, to be whitewashed over when the exhibit 'moves' on. The catalogue provides the valuable service of capturing moments in time when the work was someplace, and brings that to the reader, along with excellent essays on the artist.

Beautiful but small
The great thing about Sol LeWitt is that his wall painting surround the observor overwhelming them is color, shapes, textures, and patterns. Any book of Sol LeWitt's paintings will be a letdown for this reason because they simply can't have the size of the real thing. Nevertheless, the photography is beautiful, and the book survey's his art quite well. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

TO SEE VERY MUCH
Anyone who has ever wondered how a truly great artist gets his inspiration, works on a daily basis and incorporates his philosophies of life into his work will want to read this terrific story of how a young, American writer sat for his portrait by the legendary Alberto Giacometti.

Almost non-stop upon their meeting, Giacometti opens up and begins letting his thoughts come tumbling out of his mouth. He tells his subject that he looks like "a thug...if I could paint you as I see you and a policeman saw the picture he'd arrest you immediately!" And then, "Don't laugh. I'm not supposed to make my models laugh." He tells the author of his trip to London's National Gallery where he says, "...I deliberately didn't look at the Rembrandts, because if I had looked at them I wouldn't have been able to look at anything else afterward." Later on in his work, "It's impossible to paint a portrait...the photograph exists and that's all there is to it."

Giacometti was not only one of the greatest artists of the last century he was also, obviously, a wonderful, contradictory, clever, intelligent, verbal, loving, open, warm companion. When the painting is not going well, the artist exclaims, "If only Cezanne were here, he would set everything right with two brush strokes." Lord gently corrects him pointing out that Cezanne had plenty of trouble. And then Giacometti (probably with a hint of happiness) agrees, "Even he had trouble."

One comes to know these two men so well in this small, beautifully written memoir that one feels close to them and to their emotional upset when after only eighteen days, they part ways. The author reminds us that Giacometti would be the first to remark that a portrait could only achieve a "semblence of reality." He hopes that the artist will enjoy this written portrait. As Lord writes, "To see even so little will be to see very much." True.

Included in the paperback are snapshots taken to show Lord's portrait in progress. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Absolutley Fabulous!
This book is a must, for fans of Giacometti's work and for artists world wide. It gives one the opportunity to be in the studio with a great artist. It is wonderfull but terrible at the same time, as an artist, I came away from the book feeling completely insignificant untalented and without hope, however this is a good thing, it is an experience all artists must, and do go through. Please read the book you will learn so much! ... Read more

Book Description

Fast and fun, this book equals instant gratification for crafters of all kinds. It features 20 dazzling projects that combine easy polymer clay techniques with a variety of accessible mediums, including mosaic, wire, stamping, foiling, millefiore, caning and metal embossing.

From home and garden accessories to jewelry, readers will delight in creating votives, switch plates, flower pots, pins, picture frames and much more. Step-by-step instructions, full-color photos and a section for beginners guarantee success. This unique guide also includes an inspiring idea gallery that encourages crafters to expand their creativity and develop original pieces of their own. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

You've gotta get this one! It's my favorite pc book yet!!!
I've only been doing polymer clay for a couple years but I'm definitely hooked! I never realized such a medium could be used for so many different projects - you truly can express yourself! That is what is so great about the recent book I bought written by Lisa Pavelka, "Polymer Clay Extravaganza". It opened my eyes to a whole new range of projects that I can do with polymer clay! The book is beautifully photographed, making it very easy to follow. I think most readers will agree with me that it is much easier to follow photos of each step of a project, than just relying on mostly written text like some other books on this subject. And Lisa's book is photographed so well! I love every one of the projects in it - although some may stretch my capabilities right now!

Another thing, I was lucky enough to meet Lisa Pavelka at last years Hobby Industry Assoc. annual convention. I have never met such a wonderful, caring, person. She obviously lives for this art medium, and she did not hesitate to share her knowledge, answering the many questions I had regarding polymer clay. She even gave me advise on how to to get some of my projects published. I recommend her book to all. It's my new favorite book in my polymer clay library. Definately a must have!

A great teachers tool!
I just received my copy of Lisa Pavelka's "Polymer Clay Extravaganza" and what an extravaganza of beautiful projects. I am always looking for great books to recommend to students, adults and children alike, who know that I work with polymer clay. This is the book I've been looking for. Great section on polymer clay basics. I love that the author included wonderful "tip" boxes throughout the book that quickly and concisely educate even the seasoned polymer clay addict. The book is filled with a potpourri of great projects that have easy to follow instructions and the most amazing photography. The projects use a variety of cross-over materials (you know, all the crafting things you have bought over the years and are now in your basement in a box.) Well, get that box out and start claying, "Polymer Clay Extravaganza" gives you the tools you need to make wonderful art from polymer clay. The gallery section is beautiful and an inspiration for any artist.

Polymer Clay Must Have!
This is a wonderful book that I highly recommend to both those who are new to polymer clay and those who are experienced. Lisa offers some wonderful time saving techniques. Her knowledge is extensive and very useful. This is a great way to get acquainted with polymer clay.

Great book!
I have had the pleasure of knowing Lisa and her polymer art work for some time now and am proud to call her my friend. In her wonderful book, Lisa shares her great enthusiasm for, understanding of and knowledge of the medium so many of us love. I'd recommend this book to anyone who is interested in or already loves polymer clay. Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced clayers will find great benefit and enjoyment in what is truly "a polymer clay extravaganza". Congratulations, Lisa!

A Polymer Clay Book Unlike Any Other
Outstanding. This book simplifies polymer clay. With clearly written steps and descriptive photos, it made it easy for a novice like me to create fabulous works of art. I have found this book to be such a spectacular buy that for the past few months this is the only book I have recommended to my clay enthusiast friends. This is one book anyone working with polymer clay or interested in getting started, should own. ... Read more

Book Description

A beautifully produced monograph on one of the greatest sculptors of the twentieth century, comprising a critical essay, a superb selection of colour plates, and invaluable documentation of the artist’s writings, interviews, bibliography and exhibition history. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Presenting the latest developments in research from an international group of scholars and scientists, this volume offers new interpretations of some of the most crucial aspects of the Parthenon. It considers such topics as the authorship of the frieze and the reconstruction of its missing sculpture, as well as the sociopolitical context in which the monument was created and the application of new technologies in Parthenon studies. ... Read more

Book Description

This beautifully illustrated volume is a comprehensive look into the life and talent of a classical sculptor whose passion for the spiritual and figurative aspects of art are represented in both his public comissions and private work. ... Read more

Book Description

Every material has an active presence and every material issusceptible to change. The task of the sculptor is to understand thenaturalproperties of a chosen material, to know in the process of creation howbest towork with, or against, its characteristics. In this generouslyillustratedstudio manual, sculptor Oliver Andrews takes a new approach tosculpture,focusing on how the innate assertiveness of materials affects thecomplex act ofmaking a sculpture. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Good, but dated
The good news is that this is probably the best book available on the materials of sculpture. The bad new is that it was written twenty years ago. (This paperback edition may have been published in 1988, but AFAIK, the text was unchanged from the original 1983 version.)

If you are interested in traditional forms, then this book probably covers everything you need. But if you want information on any materials and/or techniques that came into use post-1970's, you're out of luck. Plastics are a good example: urethane and silicone molding rubbers are given a cursory mention, even though they are quite common now. I don't think polyurethane casting resins (Por-a-kast, Poly 15, etc.) or polyurethane glues (Gorilla Glue, ProBond, etc.) are mentioned at all.

The wood section is surprisingly thin, with a bias toward subtractive methods (carving), even though wood construction is as common--if not more common--in contemporary work.

While there are plenty of photos (all black and white) of classic sculptures, there are a lot of unbelievably bad pieces illustrated--probably chosen for their materials rather than quality. Some are downright hideous.

This is a good resource, but be aware that it is no longer comprehensive.

supurb book that covers both modern and antique materials
This is a supurb reference book for a working sculptor. It covers stone and wood carving, as well as most major 20th century materials, from plastics to masonry to metal fabrication techniques. Nothing on fabrics or paper though. The illustrations are exciting and fairly thorough, with an emphasis is on innovative work. This is the one book I would want to take with me if shipwrecked on a desert island! ... Read more