Posts Tagged ‘ART’
Fading toward Enlightenment – Review
Fading Toward Enlightenment by Wayne Wirs is definitely a well made book of excellent quality &ndash it will certainly endure multiple readings. I loved the feel of the pages as I turned them. I would classify this book as a useful, inspirational, self-help tool for those searching for inner peace. Wayne shares his personal experiences while he searches to come to turns with himself and life in general through this beautiful work of art.
Wayne is truly a seeker of understanding. I was reminded occasionally of Joseph Campbell throughout the book, as the two focus on similar themes. Wayne shares his journey towards understanding that takes him through vigorous studies of mystic and myths, traveling into himself and then out again. He dreams of being able to reach beyond the ego.
Attractive, attention-demanding black and white photographs are enhanced by the deep-thinking quotations and the author’s excellent discussions. Each stage in his journey is accompanied by the exquisite photos, and the photos add depth to the text &ndash feeding each other. I found that I would read a sentence and then look at the photo; back and forth – each page a slow and rewarding process to savor. Written to inspire others to delve deep into discovering who they are, Wayne asks us (as he asks himself) “Who are you behind those busy thoughts?”
The question and answer interview at the end of the book was quite helpful in finding out more about the author’s personal side and his particular views. He also includes a list of resources to aid the reader interested in furthering their journey.”
ISBN#: 0976358107
Author: Wayne Wirs
Publisher: Missing Man Press
Kitty Fantastic in Manroe
Kitty Fantastic in Manroe’s Art Adventure is a 40-page children’s book written by the accomplished and award-winning illustrator Pamela Key. Her intent in writing this book is clear in this passage from the book:
“If a kid does any kind of art at least three hours a day, three days a week, for a year he or she is four times more likely to win an award for writing or be recognized for academic achievement and three times more likely to be elected to class office or win an award for school attendance.”
There is no doubt that this is an excellent book and could easily be one of the best I have seen. The art is amazing – especially the backgrounds, which are full of colorful textures and blends. Another noticeable feature was the bright, almost realistic eyes of Pamela’s characters.
Monroe, a curious little boy filled with questions, has a conversation with his artistically inclined mother about the many various forms of art. Everything from writing, music, pottery and painting are covered in their discussion. A lovable egomaniac cat is Monroe’s best friend and he appears on each scene with cunning comments. Fun activity sheets (four in total) mentally stimulate children and help develop the ability to focus on details.
The way the book is illustrated and written allows for plenty of dialogue between the reader and children. They can seek out images together and discuss what is happening. Also every-other page has a small box with extra historical facts. Such as: science-fiction author Jules Verne writing about air and water travel 100 years before it was possible; and the adventure of Dolly Madison who risked her life to safe important national treasures.
Kitty Fantastic in Manroe’s Art is a fun and stimulating book for learning historical lessons and as an introduction to art &ndash and as such, the book would be ideal for groups of children at schools, libraries and even daycare centers. Children are not the only people that can be enlightened by this book – my husband and myself were both educated about “surrealism” and more. I was also particularly partial to the author making sure it is understood that each person has their own art and express thoughts and emotions through it in their own unique way.
I heartily recommend this book!
ISBN#: 0-9771971-1-5
Authored and Illustrated by: Pamela Key
Publisher: A Better Be Write Publisher
Visionary Landscapes book review featuring the art of Justin Michael Jenkins
Visionary Landscapes, the long awaited coffee table style book featuring thirty-one hand selected master drawings by the artist Justin Michael Jenkins, has been in the works for quite sometime. We are now proud to offer the world this 160 page full color published book through the independent publishing source, Lulu. Our vision for this exclusive volume edition was to have a high end collector style book that features many drawings from the chess, anatomy, mind, spiritual, and abstract collections. We decided on a 7.5″X7.5″ format that is suitable for many table styles including most coffee table settings. We have published this through our publishing division at Imaginative Pencil called Imaginative Pencil Publishing.
Visionary Landscapes fuses the insights, critiques, and reviews from various artists, critics, and scholars from all over the world with the intimate perspectives of each work by the artist himself. We collected numerous sources from around the world with regard to the style and approach of Justin and organized the book in such a way as to portray each drawing from various perspectives and also do a complete analytical reviews of the entire range of thought behind all the works. The goal of this exclusive edition is to give hidden insights that would otherwise go unnoticed by many viewers and create a collection of reviews and critiques by selected artists and scholars with a large portion of the deeper understanding coming from the artist himself. We want each reader to explore this large selection of drawings that span many collections and ranges and to become more aware of what the artist is trying to achieve both in meaning and message. Our hope is that readers will be rewarded with not only the secrets of how the artist came to certain conclusions and how he acheived them and why, but essentially the core meaning of each work will be revealed in the simplest terms by showing each drawing as a seperate analysis within the overall meaning of the book. The intimacy of the book centers on the artists deep ciritques and view points of each drawing featured which gives the reader access to the artist on a more personal level like hes in front of them explaining each work.
Book Preface
This first volume will approach the latest drawings from the studio of award-winning artist Justin Michael Jenkins with an analytical, fresh, and insightful point of view. With the help of the artist, we have compiled a small volume that will contain thirty of his most recent drawings taken from five unique collections. The artist will give us his insight into each work of art and the hidden meanings behind the symbolisms and objectivity that lie beneath the color and forms.
This book attempts to give viewers, collectors, scholars, and historians an ambitious and fresh examination into the mind, soul, and overall vision of the artist. We have collected various critics, essays, and feedback from numerous people about the approach and style of artist Justin Michael Jenkins and organized it in the pages ahead along with a gallery of works. We hope this book will give each reader a broader understanding of what the artist is trying to accomplish within the bold shapes, twisting forms, and surreal settings. We also want to shed light on the message his work tries to convey to the world.
Now that you have a basic understanding of what this book will attempt to accomplish, let’s begin our journey and exploration into the surreal, visionary, and inventive world that lies deep in the corridors of the artist’s mind with the hope of finding the truth and inspiration behind his style.
Imaginative Pencil Publishing came to Lulu because the company wanted to be in control of the publishing process and found Lulu’s print-on-demand tools to be fast, easy and, most importantly, free. Visonary Landscapes is available for purchase at .lulu.com, in a marketplace filled with other unique and wonderful surprises. “Independent publishing and print-on-demand is the wave of the future, and the future is now,” said Michael from Imaginatvie Pencil Publishing. “The Lulu process allows me to cut out the middle man (i.e. a separate publisher) and get my work out there the way I want it. Our book, Visionary Landscapes, is much like Lulu itself&ndashit puts control of your destiny in your own hands.”
ABOUT AUTHOR
Imaginative Pencil is a company founded in 2004 that specializes in the sale, distribution, and exhibition of the visionary and surreal pencil art of Justin Michael Jenkins.
Justin Michael Jenkins was born in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. to George and Carole Jenkins. Besides his professional status as a full time artist, he is also a writer, designer, and webmaster. His hobbies include studying the game of chess and collecting Civil War memorabilia.
ABOUT LULU
Founded in 2002, Lulu is the world’s fastest-growing print-on-demand marketplace for digital do-it-yourselfers. Please see .lulu.com for more information.
For more information about selling this book in stores or to order a copy for yourself, please visit our book website at Lulu or contact Michael Retla at publishing imaginativepencil.com or call 1-304-376-0762.