Arts and Culture

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, innovative

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 engine

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. Over 8,600 color photos, many not seen in any other publication, help to decipher finds from the common to the rare and exotic a

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. Regardless of his materials, whether metal, wood, or even cardboard, his wor

The home goods market in the United States is the largest market in the world. So why do some interior design firms thrive while others barely survive? The answer lies in one powerful little word: brand. More than a pretty logo, it involves telling the story of your distinct point of view—who you want to serve and why you do business—and it's a process that happens from the inside out. This book b

Originally one of the paramilitary groups that arose in Germany's turbulent 1920s , the SS grew from its original protection activities into the"Death's Head" troops and the Verfugungstruppe, and later during WWII, the Waffen-SS. During its evolution, the SS changed from its black uniform into a variety of uniforms that eventually resembled those of the German army, in various types of fabric, and

Pop-art connoisseurs are treated to a mind-bending journey through the blistering paintings of San Francisco artist Dirty Donny Gillies. Take a visual tour of his vibrant, hand-drawn and screen-printed poster art series "Blacklight Rebellion" and hand-painted solo art show "Fantastic Voyage." This ultimate collection of cool also includes his iconic work for Stern Pinball, metal giant Metallica, V

Continuing the tradition of creating the next level of breathtaking pin-up girls in the modern world, internationally acclaimed photographer and pin-up artist Celeste Giuliano presents her classic style of pin-ups in stunning 3-D for the first time ever. The pin-up girl has been a staple of classic American culture since the 1920s. Featured on advertisements and novelty items, their coy smiles and

The 7th Waffen SS Mountain Division was raised for war in the rugged terrain of Yugoslavia. The unit included a huge number of Volksdeutsche, ethnic Germans recruited from outside the Reich. After numerous anti-guerrilla operations in Bosnia, Croatia, Montenegro, and Serbia, towards the end of the war it was employed against units of the Bulgarian Army and Red Army forces in the difficult mission

With 142 photos and these short, step-by-step lessons from a master Chinese calligrapher, you can enjoy the basics of the beautiful characters of Chinese. Begin by learning the history and traditions of this art form, and the techniques of using the "four treasures": the brush and other basic tools. Learn the correct body position, and how to hold the brush. Then practice calligraphy in the Kaishu

With easy-to-follow guidance and more than 175 photos, this book helps mosaic artists meet the challenge of creating3-D substrates. It explains various approaches to issues ranging from reaching the needed levels of density and strength to applying tesserae to coils, twists, and spheres. Professional studio mosaic artist Latimer offers a behind-the-scenes look at her experiences with six of her sc

While candy-colored pinup may be popular with some, this is a collection of dark, sexy images that truly reflect the sophisticated side of the pinup genre. Seemingly ripped from the men’s magazines of yesteryear, these photos are so authentic looking down to the smallest detail as if they were actually taken decades ago. Bullet bras, seamed stockings, high heels, and girdles bursting at the seams!

More than 300 colorful photos and behind-the-scenes details reveal the fascinating story of Japan's cotton and indigo, and their enormous contribution to fiber arts worldwide. Learn how Japan and its top fabric designers, quilters, scientists, and artists combinetradition and high tech to weave the thread, fabrics, and stunningdesigns that are so coveted in today's fiber art world. Take a tour of

More than seventy sensational properties showcase the talents of some of the world's most innovative modernist architects. Many of the homes are built on challenging sites, reaching levels of engineering sophistication that could only have been executed by the most creative design firms. Ranging geographically from Thailand to Turkey, New York to Norway, and Mexico to South Africa, these pristine

These high-quality boxed notecards feature reproductions of 6 of the most beloved works of art from the book Birds in the Barnes Foundation. Includes 12 folded cards and 12 envelopes.

This 1,000-piece puzzle featuring beautiful images from the book Birds in the Barnes Foundation lets you re-create a dozen of the collection's works of art. Finished puzzle is 27" x 20".

An accessible and easy-to-use guide to the principles and elements of jewelry design, this resource helps jewelry makers of all skill levels take their designs from good to great. Instructor and expert Loretta Lam offers guidance on working with a wide array of materials, along with exercises to help you explore new design concepts before applying them to your work directly. Dozens of stunning exa

The history, legacy, and boundless creativity of weavers over the centuries is the base in this helpful guide for new weavers, seasoned tapestry artists, and enthusiasts. Tapestry weaving is an art form that has been around since antiquity, and these insights from renowned artist Jean Pierre Larochette offer 30 traditional techniques built upon weavers' centuries of work. A fourth-generation Frenc

This natural-dye-recipe boxed set can be used as a stand-alone resource or as a supplement to The Art and Science of Natural Dyes by Joy Boutrup and Catharine Ellis. Packaged in a high-quality quick-reference box, 84 cards include 36 formulas plus 133 full-color swatch cards for exact color comparison.The cards are conveniently organized for ease in the studio. The set includes: The Dyes, Indigo,

Techniques and projects for using a gel plate--inexpensive and simple--to elevate collage, art journaling, and mixed-media works.

Gel plate printing, an accessible but often-overlooked tool, gives artists of any level a way to add exceptional qualities to their work. Here, mixed-media lovers learn over 25 techniques for enh