Junichiro Tanizaki’s In Praise of Shadows (1933) is a profound meditation on aesthetics that invites the reader into a quiet yet deeply philosophical exploration of the interplay between light and shadow, tradition and modernity, East and West. This essay-length work is neither a straightforward treatise nor a manifesto; it is a personal, almost wistful reflection on the … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review: In Praise of Shadows by Junichiro Tanizaki
The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – Handbuilding Techniques by Joaquin Chavarria
In Handbuilding Techniques, Joaquin Chavarria offers an in-depth exploration of an ancient craft, providing a contemporary guide to one of the most intimate and expressive forms of pottery. Written with a balance of technical precision and artistic passion, the book is not merely a manual but a celebration of the tactile bond between creator and material. … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – Handbuilding Techniques by Joaquin Chavarria
The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – Keep Going by Austin Kleon
Austin Kleon’s Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad is a work that transcends its identity as a self-help guide for creatives. It operates as a quiet manifesto, affirming the value of persistence, play, and mindfulness in an increasingly chaotic and demanding world. Written with Kleon’s signature blend of wit, wisdom, and … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – Keep Going by Austin Kleon
The Adaptable Educator’s Book Reviews – Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon
In Show Your Work!, Austin Kleon delivers a manifesto for the modern creative, advocating for openness, transparency, and generosity in the creative process. With its concise prose, visual flair, and actionable advice, this book becomes more than just a guide—it is a cultural critique of the solitary artist myth, updated for the age of social media. … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Book Reviews – Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon
The Adaptable Educator’s Daily Book Review – Steal Like An Artists by Austin Kleon
Austin Kleon’s Steal Like an Artist is a manifesto of creative liberation, packaged in a succinct, visually engaging, and refreshingly unpretentious format. This little black book, with its bold typography and sketches, may deceive at first glance—appearing to be a trendy coffee-table accessory—but beneath its simplicity lies a profound guide for anyone yearning to unlock their creative … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Daily Book Review – Steal Like An Artists by Austin Kleon
The Adaptable Educator’s Daily Book Review: Mastering Raku: Making Ware, Glazes, Building Kilns, Firing by Steven Branfman
Steven Branfman’s Mastering Raku is an indispensable treatise on one of the most expressive and dynamic ceramic techniques: raku. As both a technical manual and a philosophical exploration, this book offers a wealth of insights for ceramists, artists, and scholars intrigued by the intersection of fire, earth, and artistry. Bridging History and Practice Branfman masterfully situates raku … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Daily Book Review: Mastering Raku: Making Ware, Glazes, Building Kilns, Firing by Steven Branfman
The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – Rembrandt 1606–1669: The Mystery of the Revealed Form by Michael Bockemühl
Michael Bockemühl’s Rembrandt 1606–1669: The Mystery of the Revealed Form offers a compelling exploration of the interplay between artistic technique, historical context, and the enigmatic psychological depth of Rembrandt’s works. Through a richly nuanced analysis, Bockemühl situates Rembrandt not merely as a historical figure but as a transcendent artist whose innovative approach reshaped the boundaries of visual … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – Rembrandt 1606–1669: The Mystery of the Revealed Form by Michael Bockemühl
The Adaptable Educator’s Daily Book Review – Edvard Munch: 1863–1944 by Ulrich Bischoff
Ulrich Bischoff’s Edvard Munch: 1863–1944 offers readers a vivid exploration of the life and work of the Norwegian artist whose haunting visuals continue to echo across the annals of art history. Bischoff's monograph situates Munch as a pivotal figure straddling the transition from late 19th-century Symbolism to early 20th-century Expressionism, all while dissecting the deeply personal nature … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Daily Book Review – Edvard Munch: 1863–1944 by Ulrich Bischoff
The Adaptable Educator’s Daily Book Reviews – Art and Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland
David Bayles and Ted Orland’s Art and Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking is a slim yet profoundly resonant treatise on the creative process, addressing the uncertainties and internal struggles that haunt artists of all disciplines. Rather than offering a prescriptive "how-to" manual, the book ventures into the psychological and existential landscapes of artmaking, … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Daily Book Reviews – Art and Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland
Artwork Wednesday Book Reviews: Wall and Peace by Banksy
Banksy’s Wall and Peace is not just a compilation of graffiti art; it’s an artistic manifesto that defies traditional notions of public space, art ownership, and socio-political commentary. Through the juxtaposition of raw imagery and biting text, Banksy offers readers a visual rebellion against societal norms, inviting them to reflect on global issues like consumerism, militarism, environmental … Continue reading Artwork Wednesday Book Reviews: Wall and Peace by Banksy
The New Renaissance Mindset 