A lavish showcase of paleoartist Jay Matternes's spectacular murals and sketches For half a century, the artwork of Jay Matternes adorned the fossil halls of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. These treasured Matternes murals documenting mammal evolution over the past 56 million years and dioramas showing dinosaurs from the Mesozoic Era are significant works of one of the most influential paleoartists in history. Simultaneously epic in size and scope and minutely detailed, they also provide a window into the study and interpretation of vertebrate paleontology and paleoecology. Visions of Lost Worlds presents these unparalleled works of art, and also includes the sketches and drawings Matternes prepared as he planned the murals. Known for his technical genius and eye for detail, Matternes sketched from skeletons in museum collections and added muscle, skin, and fur to bring mammals and dinosaurs from prehistory to vivid life. This book offers a close look at these works of art, a peek inside the artist's process, and an examination of the works' impact and legacy.

When first-time author and artist Deborah Paris stepped into Lennox Woods, an old-growth southern hardwood forest in northeast Texas, she felt a disruption that was both spatial and temporal. Walking the remnants of an old wagon trail past ancient stands of pine, white oak, elm, hickory, sweetgum, maple, hornbeam, and red oak, she felt drawn into a reverie that took her back to 'the beginning, both physically and metaphorically.'Painting the Woods: Nature, Memory and Metaphor explores the experience of landscape through the lens of art and art-making. It is a place-based meditation on nature, art, memory, and time, grounded in Paris's experiences over the course of a year in Lennox Woods. Her account unfolds through the twin arcs of the changing seasons and her creative process as a landscape painter. In the tradition of Annie Dillard's Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, narrative passages interweave with observations about the natural history of Lennox Woods, its flora and fauna, art history, the science of memory, Transcendentalist philosophy, the role of metaphor in creative work, and even loop quantum gravity theory. Each chapter explores a different aspect of the forest and a different step in the art-making process, illuminating our connection to the natural world through language, comprehension of time, and visual depictions of the landscape. The complex layers of the forest and Paris's journey through it emerge as metaphors for the larger themes of the book, just as the natural world underpins the art-making drawn from it. Like the trail that winds through Lennox Woods, memory and time intertwine to provide a path for understanding nature, art, and our relationship to both.

Ten graded lessons to tackle beautiful color in stunning botanical compositions. This practical introduction to the color and composition in botanical illustration is formed of ten graded lessons, where each teaches you new skills to build upon the last. From red tulips and pink roses to blackberries and green foliage; once you've completed these lessons you will have all the techniques you need in order to tackle far more complex arrangements. An experienced teacher of botanical illustration, Valerie Price shows even the uninitiated illustrator how to produce accurate and beautiful results, with her step-by-step instructions on how to tackle each individual project.

In recent years, there has been intense debate about the reality behind the depiction of maritime cityscapes, especially harbours. Visualizing Harbours in the Classical World argues that the available textual and iconographic evidence supports the argument that these representations have a symbolic, rather than literal, meaning and message, and moreover that the traditional view, that all these media represent the reality of the contemporary cityscapes, is often unrealistic. Bridging the gap between archaeological sciences and the humanities, it ably integrates iconographic materials, epigraphic sources, history and archaeology, along with visual culture. Focusing on three main ancient ports - Alexandria, Rome and Leptis Magna - Federico Ugolini considers a range of issues around harbour iconography, from the triumphal imagery of monumental harbours and the symbolism of harbour images, their identification across the Mediterranean, and their symbolic, ideological and propagandistic messages, to the ways in which aspects of Imperial authority and control over the seas were expressed in the iconography of the Julio-Claudian, Trajan and Severii periods, how they reflected the repute, growth and power of the mercantile class during the Imperial era, and how the use of imagery reflected euergetism and paideia, which would inform the Roman audience about who had power over the sea.

A retrospective of Phil Bergerson's career. The first section's, extensive essay addresses his student days, early teaching and organizing years and his various photographic projects (1967-1989). The second part deals with Bergerson's pursuit of the human condition found within the American Social landscape. It begins with an historically contextualizing essay, followed by a sequence created from selections from Bergerson's first two books on America. This is followed by Bergerson's most recent photographs accompanied by a critical essay.

A collection of exquisite paintings of a wide range of chickens, ducks and geese from renowned artist Madeleine Floyd, accompanied by whimsical text by the author. Another collection of exquisite watercolour paintings from well-loved artist Madeleine Floyd. In this follow-up to her bestselling book Birdsong, she turns her attention to the world of chickens, ducks and geese - some familiar, some less so. It includes a huge variety of breeds, both domestic and wild, from the statuesque Buff Orpington chicken to the magnificent Faverolle, from splendid mallards to the slightly comical Indian Runners, the familiar large white farmyard goose, and elegant swans. Each painting is accompanied by insightful, whimsical text that pinpoints what the artist loves about these wonderful creatures. The perfect present, this beautiful book is ideal for bird lovers, keepers of domestic fowl and fans of Madeleine Floyd alike.

Amanda Hislop's Seascapes is a wonderful reference tool for all textile artists, whatever their skills level. Amanda puts particular emphasis on taking your work from initial inspiration through to the design stage. Her advice and guidance is all clearly explained through practical exercises and inspirational examples that then lead to projects which build upon and consolidate the lessons learned. Textile artists, embroiders, painters and quilters - whatever their skill level - will be inspired by Amanda's deep love for and fascination with the varied moods of the sea and coastal landscapes. Exploration - both of technique and design - is at the heart of this book. Amanda reveals the skills and processes she uses to make her incredible textile seascapes. Featuring original projects, practical and enjoyable design exercises, and extensive sections on composition and mark-making, this instructional guide is brimming over with fabulous ideas for a stunning selection of fabric and stitch scenes.

"Swiss explorer and photographer Stefan Forster admits that he is no stranger to dodging alligators and hiking for weeks in pursuit of the perfect photo. And an impressive new photobook shows that his efforts pay off handsomely." - Sarah Holt, Mail Online "This tome is a potential classic in the making and a masterclass in how straightforward landscape imagery should be done." - Amateur Photographer "Stunning pictures...luminous images..." - Examiner "Unbelievable...just amazing..." - WGN TV Chicago Captured in vivid colour and magnificent quality, the unique moments that photographer Stefan Forster discovers in out-of-the-way places in nature take place on adventurous backcountry trips far from civilisation, with Forster lugging up to 80 pounds in camera gear and camping equipment. With enormous enthusiasm and prepared for anything, he often hikes through remote areas for weeks at a time on his search for the extraordinary. He has taken long solo kayak expeditions along Greenland's west coast, hopped from island to island in Micronesia, and slogged through the swamps of Louisiana and Texas to find the area's most beautiful cypress trees, dodging alligators all the while. The results are unique and fascinating photos. This book presents this young photographer's most beautiful experiences to date, including everything from rare rainstorms in the world's driest desert and the Northern Lights shimmering through icebergs to spectacular shots of the Rocky Mountains. Forster was one of the first photographers to use state-of-the-art quadcopter drones, giving his pictures fresh, new perspectives. Stefan Forster published some of these aerial shots for the first time in Above the World - Earth Through a Drone's Eye, released by teNeues in September 2016. The following locations are included in the book: Switzerland Iceland Greenland Antarctica Peninsula Utah Colorado South Dakota Louisiana Washington Namibia Westcoast, Scotland Uganda New Zealand Seychelles La Gomera Tasmania Philippines Australia Indonesia Text in English, French and German.

A lavish volume in celebration of the astonishing fossils uncovered in Abu Dhabi's deserts, a region once lush, green, and teeming with now-extinct animals This lavish volume celebrates the astonishing wealth of fossils uncovered in recent decades in Abu Dhabi's desert. These prehistoric findings, around seven million years in age, record a period when the region was lush, green, and teeming with diverse mammals, all now extinct. With more than one hundred full-color photographs, including reconstructions of extinct animals, this book is both a visual delight and a unique glimpse into Arabia's ancient past. All text in the book is presented in both English and Arabic. Distributed for the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History

The British Museum's vast collections include wonderful images of birds from all over the world. Some are primarily decorative, whereas Thomas Bewick and the Japanese artist Kitagawa Utamaro chose to show birds in realistic detail, going about their daily lives. Other artists concentrate on scientific accuracy. The endless variety of birds, their freedom of sky, land and water, and especially their song have also inspired writers through the ages. Each striking image in this beautiful anthology is matched with a poem about the same species. Some were composed by our best-loved writers - including Shakespeare, Chaucer and Tennyson - and others have been selected from less familiar or even anonymous voices around the world. Now in a fresh new paperback format, this is an irresistible gift for anyone who loves birds.

Discover a new approach to oil painting that takes the stuffiness out and puts the fun back in. Learn how to paint vibrant florals, landscapes, seascapes, portraits, and more, and see your skills improve. Oil Painting Every Day shows you how to translate what you see into captivating paintings. Begin with a solid understanding of oil paint and essential supplies, then try easy exercises that will train your eye to see the world like an artist. From there, you'll learn how to capture beautiful details in landscapes and still lifes and create shadows and depth to make your work come alive. Refine those details to paint waves, clouds, and floral scenes, and get all the tips, tricks, and techniques you need for a doable portrait to get you started in figurative work. Get great ideas for creating engaging compositions while capturing the world around you, and discover how a variety of simple brushstrokes add energy and life to a piece. In this book you'll find: How drawings and underpaintings can give your paintings a boost How to care for your tools and materials Tips and techniques for working in sketchbooks and on canvas The benefits of maintaining a consistent art practice How to paint from life and photographs Ways to build cohesive compositions that tell a story Oil Painting Every Day is your all-access pass to oil painting.

This beautiful book is a celebration of the mighty oak, through the passion and vision of artist Mark Frith. Mark has drawn large scale portraits of 22 of Britain's oldest living oaks, with exceptional detail conveyed in these intricate graphite works, bringing the ancient features of these majestic individuals to life on the page. Growing up in the Gloucestershire countryside, Mark enjoyed a childhood experiencing the natural world and in particular developed a huge closeness to a local ancient character - the Great Oak at Nibley Green. Mark would return to this tree in 2010 as the first of his series of oak drawings, commissioned by the publisher, poet, philanthropist and planter of trees Felix Dennis. These large-scale drawings measuring 1.7 m wide took Mark three and a half years to complete and were finished just before Felix Dennis's death in 2014. Following Felix Dennis's wishes, his estate bequeathed 10 of the drawings to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. This stunning book is the ideal gift for art and tree lovers alike, and a fitting dedication to these ancient individuals. I hope that in some modest way these drawings express man's profound relationship with the natural world, and, if it has one, something of the soul of the ancient oak tree. Mark Frith