Arts and Culture

The essential collection of pin-ups from photographer Robert Alvarado. He subtly combines color, form, and style to create an allure that captivates onlookers and confounds fellow photographers. The influence of pin-up photography pioneers like Alberto Vargas and Gil Elvgren is clear, but throughout the 145 alluring examples of Alvarado’s work, his signature approach to this classic form will ...

Whether you live in a town house, a village colonial, a country barn, or a coastal saltbox, you can convert your old house into an ecologically sound new house. This design book provides inspiration for aesthetically pleasing and practical renovations that can change the environment one house at a time.

Between these pages are images of the original acetate rubbings from Charlie Wagner's turn of the 20th century tattoo shop, The Black Eye Barbershop, in the Bowery at Chatham Square in New York. This is the only known art that has survived from this shop, where Samuel J. O'Reilley's modern-day electric tattoo machine was born and patented.

What is burlesque? Who better to ask than burlesque performers themselves? With this question in mind, the author traveled over 14,000 miles across the United States visiting today’s burlesque performers, photographing them in their homes, and asking them: “What does burlesque mean to you?” Their answers and 104 accompanying portraits may surprise you.

Explore the art of Rodrigo Melo's Japanese style tattoos through more than 150 lush studio photographs of bodysuits, rib pieces, back pieces, and sleeves featuring traditional themes and imagery. See peonies, koi, tigers, dragons, and characters from Buddhist mythology presented in authentic form and color but with some modern techniques and stylings, like the use of "angry black" to increase ...

The artwork of over 50 contemporary mosaic artists reveals the diversity of materials used and forms created in this ever-growing field. From small pieces of glass, stone, pebbles, ceramics, found objects, and other materials known as tesserae, these artists “paint” images of great intricacy and stunning beauty.

Photographer Joaquim Nabuco has found art in the architecture, interiors, and landscapes designed by his fellow Brazilians. Through more than 160 large, lively images, Nabuco welcomes you on a journey to see more than 15 properties, including log homes in the mountains of Rio de Janeiro, beach houses in the resort towns of Búzios and Angra dos Reis, vast gardens on farm estates, restaurants, ...

Alfa Romeo, one of the most famous and renowned carmakers in automobile history, celebrates 100 years of innovation. This fascinating history documents the Milanese automaker, from the exciting racing and sports cars of the twenties and thirties to the equally advanced and sporty sedans, coupes, and convertibles of the fifties and sixties to the present-day range of technically evolved, ...

That dream car of all dream cars, the Mercedes-Benz, is presented here in full glory through 285 images. What were the qualities that made them icons of all auto building? Beginning in the pioneer days with the 35 HP model of 1901 through the top-rank sports cars of the 1920s and 1930s, the gullwing-door 300 SL and the legendary "Uhlenhaut Coupe" of the 1950s, and the C 111, with its Wankel ...

Assembled for the first time are all the Star Wars toys from that galaxy far, far away. This edition focuses solely on the toys, with the thorough text and exhaustive listings dedicated to the documentation and appraisal of generations of favorites from around the globe.

Painted Alive is the first collection of bodypainted images by New Orleans artist Craig Tracy. With his masterful approach to this ancient and ephemeral art, Tracy has found the perfect way to passionately express his creativity. More than sixty transformative and intimately provocative works reveal Tracy's vision, which ranges from realistic to conceptual and surreal.

No other graffiti crew from New York City's graffiti heyday conjures up more images of angel dust-smoking, beer-drinking, "crazy white boys," than the Bronx-born-and-bred writing group Morris Park Crew (MPC). This official history of the crew tells the stories behind the group with never-before-published photos, oral histories from MPC members, and details on the 2009-2010 MPC revival.

Can there be more than one reality at a time, and can we experience them both? These were the questions that led photographer and former psychology professor Allan I. Teger to create this collection of black and white Bodyscapes®. At first glance, Bodyscapes appear to be landscapes; a second look shows that they are in fact nude bodies with small toys and miniatures set on them.

Here is the first book to cover all aspects of Native American equine tack/equipment as a single subject. It focuses on the equipment used by 19th century tribal men and women of North America. The dominant role of horses in these peoples' lives was reflected in the beautiful, practical, and artistic accoutrements made to decorate their prestigious and powerful animals.

Raised as a Quaker in Eastern Pennsylvania, designer and sculptor Paul Evans is known for his highly unusual and yet completely functional furniture designs. Evans produced more than a dozen lines of furniture and countless design variations during his thirty-year career as a mid- to late 20th century artist and designer.

Simply opening these covers commits you to being dazzled by 100 of the UK's top "writers" and street artists, immersing yourself in the styles, past and present, which make UK street art great. Upon its arrival in the UK from New York in the 1980s, graffiti rapidly spread across the island, infecting the youth like a stylistic virus.

Accessories are part of the great fashion family of various pieces and adornments that complete a man's, woman's, or child’s outfit. From shoes and hats to purses, each one fulfills a specific function that can be ornamental, protective, or functional in nature, but they are all considered “finishing touches” for the overall look.

Head back to paradise with another tantalizing collection of images from Brazilian photographer Joaquim Nabuco. In more than 150 color and black and white images, the stunning women of Brazil grace equally beautiful tropical landscapes, including locations with mountains, jungles, beaches, and historical sites.

From the girl next door to sexy switch-blade sisters, the pin-up girls depicted in this collection of works by 15 of today's best artists boldly display the full spectrum of the genre. Through masterful use of color and media, both traditional and digital, these artists from around the world capture the female form in ways that remain true to their forefathers (Gil Elvgren, Alberto Vargas, etc.

A is for Anchor is a delightful illustrated alphabet inspired by classic images from traditional Western tattoo designs. Written and illustrated by renowned tattoo artist Paul Slifer, the book combines his love for classic tattoo art with his interest in children's books, which was piqued when he became the father of two girls.