Dra Studio.com - Design & Illustration

The One Minute Manager
Written by Kenneth Blanchard, Ph.D. and Spencer Johnson, M.D.

Something I had to read for work. Probably an interesting read for some and maybe even beneficial on some subconscious level for me, but really, I just found it to be a load of tripe. I mean, there are some intriguing ideas and possibly useful concepts, but you have to wade through all the bogus emotions and campy dialogue to get to them. To me, it was really not worth it.

Here are some the most interesting statements that I found in the read:

“Feedback is the Breakfast of Champions.” - That is how I feel about blogging. It is all worth it, as long as I get to hear some comments back from people.

“[When reprimanding someone] comment on [their] behavior and not on [their] worth as a person.”

“Someone [once] asked Einstein what his phone number was [and] he went to the phone book to look it up. He said he never cluttered his mind with information he could find somewhere else.”

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Museum Architecture
Written by Justin Henderson

Gorgeous in design and captivating in details, this book ranks very high among my favorites. The discussions about art and creation are excellent and it highlights several fantastic museums, two of which I have been to.

Although a bit on the pricey side, it is worth every penny … er … dollar. One of the nice touches is the oversized, glossy printing.

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Stephen Gilpin (Stee-vin Gill-pin)
Born: 1977
Stephen Gilpin was born in 1977 and grew up in Iola, Kansas where from an early age he developed a taste for drawing strange things. He graduated with honors from the NYC School of Visual Arts where he had studied painting and cartooning. He currently lives in Tulsa, OK with his wife Krista and their four children.

Piece I Enjoyed: Mickey McGuffin’s Ear - 2005 Hardcover Book 9 x 10”
URL: Stephen Gilpin
Gallery of Interest: Shannon Associates
?: Google Search Artist

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Wang Guangyi
Written by Karen Smith

If seeking a single word to describe this book and its focal point, artist Wang Guangyi, my choice would be, “eye-catching.” If seeking a way to describe my feelings towards Guangyi’s pieces, I could immediately reply with, “strangely appealing and noticeable.” In fact, this is the very feeling that caused me to pick up this book from Kissimmee’s Library. Not only does his work (and consequently, a book about his work) stand out and immediately draw attention, but as I quickly scanned through the pages, completely stopped in my tracks at first glance, I knew I had found something I liked.

With so many of Guangyi’s more memorable pieces drawing from iconic roots and arrangement, it is not difficult to understand my enjoyment. The fact that his chosen style leans towards bold, accented lines is an advantage that allows me to enjoy the sometimes chaotic nature of his art.

Ultimately, this book served its purpose well - in providing an exposè on not only the work of Wang Guangyi, but also on the impact made from knowing how his standpoint on socialism translated to his art-forms.

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Chihuly at the V&A
Written by Dale Chihuly
Edited by Jennifer Hawkins Opie

A great book about many of the works of Dale Chihuly, especially his exhibit at the London V&A. Well written and full of colorful photographs, it is an extraordinary journey along the path that is the life of Chihuly. There are several pages of his preliminary installation sketches and notes, as well as multiple viewings of his painted creations, from which his final glass-blowing is derived.

The text within this book will answer the many questions you probably have about Chihuly - whether they are regarding his initial introduction to glass-blowing, what caused the loss of one eye (thus resulting in his separation from actually, physically, working with the glass-blowing), or simply what provides the inspiration and feeds the style that is so distinctly, Chihuly.

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Marvels
Written by Kurt Busiek
Painted by Alex Ross

Just finished this one two nights ago and for the most part, it holds up to the high praise it received from the guys at Comic Geek Speak. The artwork was all Alex Ross, and although that is saying enough, it probably isn’t. He is able to capture moments and characters in a astounding way that leaves you riveted and yearning for more. His depiction of Spider-Man, though not the conventional thin and un-humanly agile version, is my among my favorites - mainly, because of the realistic movements and positions Ross portrays him in. It becomes palpable that Spidey is an actual person, with a viable physique and stature.

My only point of contention or un-enjoyment was the way in which the book concluded. I won’t spoil it for those of you that planning on reading it, but I have to say that I was disappointed. With the extraordinary writing in the first two “books”, I felt that something was lacking in the resolution of the third.

Aside from that, I definitely recommend this to any Busiek reader and, of course, it is a must for any Ross fan. Enjoy.

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Kingdom Come
Written by Mark Waid
Painted by Alex Ross

One of my all time favorites, this was the book that brought me back to comics. I had been out of them for more than a few years and I just happened to pick this up one night at the Orlando Virgin Megastore. It is now one of those books that I have to read every year. Alex Ross is just plain amazing.

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