Weekend Book Reviews: The Symbolic Order: A Contemporary Reader on the Arts Debate by Peter Abbs

Peter Abbs’ The Symbolic Order: A Contemporary Reader on the Arts Debate emerges as a profound intellectual endeavor that seeks to restore the primacy of the arts within contemporary culture and education. With a refined elegance and a sharp critical lens, Abbs dissects the modern tendencies that have alienated the arts from both public discourse and pedagogical … Continue reading Weekend Book Reviews: The Symbolic Order: A Contemporary Reader on the Arts Debate by Peter Abbs

The Adaptable Educator’s Daily Book Review – Blitz Big Book of Cartooning by Bruce Blitz

Bruce Blitz’s Blitz Big Book of Cartooning is a vibrant and comprehensive guide that marries technical instruction with an infectious passion for the art of cartooning. Aimed at artists of all skill levels, the book's unpretentious tone belies the depth of knowledge it offers, making it a remarkable resource for aspiring cartoonists, educators, and even seasoned illustrators … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Daily Book Review – Blitz Big Book of Cartooning by Bruce Blitz

The Adaptable Educator’s Daily Book Review: The Complete Illuminated Books by William Blake

William Blake's The Complete Illuminated Books is not merely a compilation of poetry and artwork; it is a profound fusion of word and image, embodying the Romantic ethos while forging a genre-defying expression of philosophical, theological, and artistic vision. This collection is an unparalleled window into the mind of one of the most enigmatic and revolutionary figures … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Daily Book Review: The Complete Illuminated Books by William Blake

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: Clive Barker: Visions of Heaven & Hell

Clive Barker’s Visions of Heaven & Hell is not just a visual compendium but a testament to the profound intertwining of his literary and artistic genius. Known primarily for his works of horror and dark fantasy, Barker expands his creative universe in this collection, revealing the raw, surreal, and often disturbing visions that underlie much of his … Continue reading Artwork Wednesday Book Reviews: Clive Barker: Visions of Heaven & Hell

Weekend Book Reviews: The Morningstar by Nick Bantock

The Morningstar by Nick Bantock is a captivating exploration of epistolary narrative, art, and the mysteries of the human psyche, enveloped in the dreamlike atmosphere that Bantock has mastered over his previous works. As the final installment of The Griffin and Sabine series, The Morningstar delicately intertwines visual art with written correspondence, creating a multifaceted experience that is as much … Continue reading Weekend Book Reviews: The Morningstar by Nick Bantock

Weekend Book Reviews: Alexandria by Nick Bantock

In Alexandria, Nick Bantock once again proves himself a master of the epistolary form, seamlessly blending visual artistry and literary craftsmanship. This novel, the fifth in the Griffin & Sabine series, continues the enigmatic and often surreal correspondence between Griffin Moss, a London-based artist, and Sabine Strohem, a mysterious illustrator from the South Pacific. In this iteration, their … Continue reading Weekend Book Reviews: Alexandria by Nick Bantock

Artwork Wednesday Book Reviews: Toulouse-Lautrec 1864-1901 by Mathias Arnold

In Toulouse-Lautrec, Mathias Arnold embarks on a journey to explore the life, artistry, and cultural milieu of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, a figure whose work not only defined but also immortalized the bohemian spirit of 19th-century Paris. Arnold’s biography, both richly detailed and thoughtfully constructed, offers readers more than just a chronological narrative of the artist’s life; … Continue reading Artwork Wednesday Book Reviews: Toulouse-Lautrec 1864-1901 by Mathias Arnold

Weekend Book Reviews: The Gryphon by Nick Bantock

Nick Bantock’s The Gryphon is the fourth instalment in the Griffin & Sabine series, a collection of epistolary novels that have enchanted readers since its inception. The Gryphon continues the unconventional correspondence between Griffin Moss, the introspective artist, and Sabine Strohem, the enigmatic muse who communicates with him through letters that cross the boundaries of time, space, and reality itself. At … Continue reading Weekend Book Reviews: The Gryphon by Nick Bantock

Weekend Book reviews: The Golden Mean by Nick Bantock

The Golden Mean by Nick Bantock is an exquisite culmination of his acclaimed Griffin & Sabine trilogy, bringing the correspondence between the enigmatic Sabine Strohem and the artist Griffin Moss to a haunting resolution. Bantock, master of visual storytelling, does more than complete a tale—he deepens the metaphysical layers of his narrative, blurring the boundaries between art, philosophy, … Continue reading Weekend Book reviews: The Golden Mean by Nick Bantock