The Chocolate Girl is one of the most famous works by the Swiss artist Jean- tienne Liotard (1702-1789). This remarkable painting shows an unknown domestic servant--until then a rarely chosen subject--carrying a luxurious chocolate drink on a platter. Its sober and precise observation exemplifies the art of the Enlightenment and anticipates the realism of the nineteenth century. The painting had a tremendous effect in its time--deemed "the most beautiful pastel ever seen" by Liotard's contemporary Rosalba Carriera--and remains influential today. This richly illustrated volume leads the reader through the age in which The Chocolate Girl was created, during the French-inspired rococo, and in the Vienna of Empress Maria Theresa. Situating the painting alongside characteristic works from other creative periods, the editors illuminate the art of pastel painting in which this enchanting work was executed.
Top Secrets for Beautiful Pastel Paintings Richard McKinley has been a professional artist for over 35 years. Factor in nearly as many years of teaching experience, and that adds up to a whole lot of know-how to share. In Pastel Pointers, he lays it all out: information on tools, materials, color, composition, landscape elements, finishes and more. Compiles the best of McKinley's popular Pastel Pointers blog and Pastel Journal columns Covers frequently asked questions ("How do I achieve natural-looking greens?") and simple solutions to common problems, such as excess pigment buildup Includes a chapter on "The Business of Pastels"—tips for framing, shipping, preparing for gallery shows, and otherwise representing your work in a professional manner This book covers everything from the fundamentals to get you going (how to lay out your palette, create an underpainting, evoke luminous effects) to inspirations that will keep you growing (plein air painting, working in a series, keeping a painting journal). Whether you're a beginner or an experienced painter anxious to explore the expressive possibilities of pastel, this is your guide to making the most of the medium.
PLANET OF HOPE is a biographical story of a middle aged man who lost his wife to cancer and sought answers in spirit world. Learning about the evolution of spirit became a big challenge. It moved him into areas of knowledge he never knew existed. Now a middle aged man, he is about to meet a young journalist who will want to write his biography.
At the onset of a bout with mental illness that erupted at the age of seventeen was when the author penned her first three poems, barring a few rhyming poems written as a child. Recovery began immediately. After the standard E.E.G. and prescribed psychiatric therapy, the worst of it was short lived. Having moved from the north to a stretch of the Bible Belt, Nashville, Tennessee, at age thirty, also sets a central theme for this deep psycho/spiritual journey through an interesting labyrinth of 1960s and 70s subculture that still lives on today. We are then transported into some profound and varied as well as a dappling of somewhat more traditional experiences with Christian spirituality. The medium for this conceptual and insightful work is the author's long studied and matured art of poetry and free verse which also includes some prayers, short prose, lyrics, and original illustrations mixed in. With more than seventy poems plus other offerings, the endowment is genuinely entertaining as all creative works of art should be, but on a very thought educing level with its elements of inner personal struggles, bohemia, and the spiritual path it has all taken and led to. Easily taken in small portions, and perhaps it should be, as the writer wishes to evoke a contemplative response and challenge one's own inner heart and soul's state of being along this beautiful conundrum we call life. Take a journey down a long and winding, broken road with all its curves, hills, and valleys. The winds will take you higher along this wild and elegant …eloquent ride.
School teacher, Anna O 'Riley's melancholy Sunday abruptly changes with a knock on her door from an Austin Police Officer. She's even more startled to learn that she is a person of interest in a brutal homicide that occurred at the downtown Cathedral that she has been an active member of for almost twenty years. Her summer vacation from school takes her from Cozumel to San Miguel De Allende and back to Austin all in a vain attempt to solve the mystery surrounding the death of her fiancé and the whereabouts of his autistic child. Betrayal and lies confront her at every turn. But through peril and love she eventually discovers her own oasis of truth.
Some stories simply need to be written down, like this one for example. If we were to sit down for a cup of coffee and I started sharing this story with you, soon, your mind would be wondering-wondering why your thoughts keep picturing an ornate wooden wall clock with an animated little bird comically piping up every so often. But if I hand you this story when we sit down for our coffee, you may open the tale and become intrigued. So much so that you decide to stay for a while. In fact, to compliment your coffee, you order a slice of pie with discussion. This is a story of a battle between good and evil, heaven and hell. This is one account told of what took place when the powers behind these two worlds collided upon one earthbound soul. And for those who believe, there is seen a glimpse of what is yet to come. May peace be with you.
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Now in paperback and featuring new material, the definitive guide to telling an unforgettable story in any setting, from the storytelling experts at The Moth “From toasts to eulogies, from job interviews to social events, this book will help you with ideas, structure, delivery and more.”—CNN LONGLISTED FOR THE PORCHLIGHT BUSINESS BOOK AWARD Over the past twenty-five years, the directors of The Moth have worked with people from all walks of life—including astronauts, hairdressers, rock stars, a retired pickpocket, high school students, and Nobel Prize winners—to develop true personal stories that have moved and delighted live audiences and listeners of The Moth’s Peabody Award–winning radio hour and podcast. A leader in the modern storytelling movement, The Moth inspires thousands of people around the globe to share their stories each year. Now, with How to Tell a Story, The Moth will help you learn how to uncover and craft your own unique stories, like Moth storytellers Mike Birbiglia, Rosanne Cash, Neil Gaiman, Elizabeth Gilbert, Padma Lakshmi, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Tig Notaro, Boots Riley, Betty Reid Soskin, John Turturro, and more. Whether your goal is to make it to the Moth stage, deliver the perfect wedding toast, wow clients at a business dinner, give a moving eulogy, ace a job interview, be a hit at parties, change the world, or simply connect more deeply to those around you, stories are essential. Sharing secrets of The Moth’s time-honed process and using examples from beloved storytellers, a team of Moth directors will show you how to • mine your memories for your best stories • explore structures that will boost the impact of your story • deliver your stories with confidence • tailor your stories for any occasion Now featuring new prompts for engaging storytelling and filled with empowering, easy-to-follow tips for crafting stories that forge lasting bonds with friends, family, and colleagues alike, this book will help you connect authentically with the world around you and unleash the power of story in your life.
