This essay explores the development of Salvador Dali, from the early phases of childhood, the bizarre and complex aims of his first experiments, to his absorption into high society of Paris in the 1930s, and his inclusion in the Surrealist movement from 1928 to 1939. The essay focuses on the makeup of a provocative and original personality acutely reflexive, intelligent and pathologically driven. As a creative signifier of considerable and generative impact, Dali can be identified as a unique sounding board for his own and succeeding times.

Part of a series of exciting and luxurious Flame Tree Notebooks. Combining high-quality production with magnificent fine art, the covers are printed on foil in five colours, embossed then foil stamped. And they're powerfully practical: a pocket at the back for receipts and scraps and two bookmarks. These are perfect for personal use and make a dazzling gift. This example is based on Gustav Klimt's The Kiss. The Kiss is a prime example of Klimt's 'Golden Phase', in which he began to feature especially sumptuous ornamentation on a regular basis in his paintings. The couple in this artwork represent the mystical union of spiritual and erotic love, and the connection of life and the universe.

The perfect Lent book for art lovers of all ages

Readers discover new insights into the methods of top contemporary watercolor artists with each edition of Splash, now an annual competition with an accompanying book after more than 20 years as a series. Splash 17 will be loaded with more than 125 paintings by more than 100 artists selected from thousands of watercolor and water-media painters across the world invited to submit work for consideration. Each painting will be accompanied by a caption that will show readers something about each artist's processes pertaining to the theme of texture. Entry fee of $30 for the first image and $25 per subsequent image helps defer cost of production; we expect to collect about $40,000 in fees. Call for entries will be promoted in The Artist's Magazine, Watercolor Artist, www.artistsnetwork.com, http://wetcanvas.com and eblasts. Deadline will be December 1, 2014 (earlybird deadline) and December 31, 2014 (final deadline).