The stark beauty of the Southwest mountains and deserts have attracted numerous artists working in many media. Painters, sculptors, potters, jewelers, and photographers study and work in this region, which is steeped in rich heritage and natural beauty. This eye-catching book contains a thoughtfully written foreword by Julie Sasse, Chief Curator and Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Tucson Museum of Art, and over 600 compelling photos of the contemporary artwork from Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. The materials used are varied, ranging from stoneware to steel and...

Trees come in many forms and are shaped by a huge variety of climatic and human forces. This makes them iconic vehicles for expressing human conditions and allows for commentary on deep ecology. Artists have always been arboreal fans; some artists look at trees and see them as canvases for their particular vision. Others may decide to replicate them in their favorite medium, whether it is ceramics, fabrics, paint or glass. They combine, redesign, and transform their materials into art that changes the way we perceive the world. Their creations grab our attention and give us a promise of...

Printmakers today are sustained both by their traditions and by their willingness to embrace new technologies, new mediums, and innovative processes. Over 500 beautiful colour images display the innovative work of 75 talented printmakers and 30 print shops. Traditional printing techniques featured include lithography, intaglio, screen print, and relief, while newer techniques include installation, digital, and fibre, among other forms of new print media. The artists speak for themselves, revealing why they create their art. Consequently, the readers will gain a deeper understanding of their...

Go behind-the-scenes of the art world as you tour the homes and studios of 86 international artists. Some studios are large, with lovely high ceilings and oversized skylights. Some are modest, even cramped. Some are amazingly pristine and carefully ordered with drawing spaces, painting galleries, and meditation zones. Some are a study of chaos, but in all of them the artists are inspired to create. Whether working in oils or pastels, sculpture or glass, ceramics or wood, today's artists are as varied as their work, with studios that range from chicken coops and horse barns to entire islands...

In the history of art, animals were the very first subject, as evidenced by the nearly 20,000 year old cave paintings at Lascaux. The human impulse to depict and capture the essence of animals underscores the importance of animals to human lives. For some artists, the evolutionary link between humans and other mammals is most compelling, and their choice of mammals as subject speaks to each artist's personal concerns. From traditional works to the fantastical, from sporting art to kitsch, the nearly 100 U.S. and international artists included hope to combine their own magic with the natural...

Through 349 images, celebrate America in all her glory. Whether it's a piece to hang on a wall, to be worn, or for marketing propaganda, see how sixty-four artists have represented the American flag and other patriotic symbols in their work. The American flag is an iconic image that inspires many, but it has also become a complex and controversial symbol since Congress first adopted it on June 14, 1777. These artists share not only their work but also the inspiration behind the pieces. Whether it's paying homage to a lost generation, remembering 9/11, or simply celebrating American pride, the...

This book takes you through 53 homes that reflect the growing trend for environmentally-friendly houses. Resource- and energy-efficient residences are designed to be healthy, comfortable, and easy-to-live-in, and construction of a sustainable home includes using less energy, fewer natural resources, and fewer toxic chemicals. The homes featured here meet a variety of guidelines: LEED, a point-based system with specific certification criteria; Green, a construction standard based on reduction of energy use; Passive, a design standard that can result in a super-insulated, airtight home;...

Enter the world of fairy-tale towers, whimsical stairways, crow's nests, zip lines, and suspended rope bridges. Take pleasure in the details of hand-split oak shingles, thatched roofs, and cedar tongue-and-groove interiors. Made of sustainably sourced materials, Blue Forest's magical sanctuaries fit snugly between trees and branches--often incorporating them into the building itself--and sit lightly on the land. From a child's tree house inside a secret garden to party venues for teenagers and adults, this book details 28 imaginative tree houses, some of them accompanied by site plans and...

The works of 106 contemporary artists provide a fresh look at the artistic vibrancy of the Rocky Mountain West region of the United States. More than 600 photos of these artists' works--in sculpture, mixed media, paint, photography, and other contemporary mediums--show us a stunning variety. Each artist also offers a personal description of his or her art. A perfect gift or reference, this resource changes the way we perceive the Rocky Mountain West region and the world. A foreword by Rose Fredrick, curator of the Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale, contributes insights on "Contemporary West:...