A Living Canvas

Uncover the glory in your home! Use paint to create inspired living spaces that reflect your style and your home's character. Once upon a time, there was a sad little Victorian house on the corner, abandoned by its previous owners and abused by time. Your Home, A Living Canvas is the Cinderella story of that house and its transformation into a charming, historic home, thanks to the loving care of acclaimed decorative artisan, Curtis L. Heuser. From the grand staircase to the cozy third-floor master suite, this book takes you along on the complete floor-to-ceiling, room-by-room makeover. You'll learn about the design concepts and inspirations for each space, along with real-world how-to's behind the wall treatments, ceiling features, architectural highlights, and other exquisite details. • A series of 25+ step-by-step demonstrations show how Heuser used murals, trompe l'oeil and faux finishes to blend old with new, reclaiming the spirit of the house's former glory, while incorporating unique personal touches. • Covers a range of decorative styles, from the exotic crackle-finish bookcases in the study, to the Italian country villa-inspired kitchen, to a sophisticated dining room that embodies the Old World ambiance of classic European interiors. • Offers a wealth of expert decorating advice on using color to evoke mood, displaying your collections, mixing and matching eclectic furnishings, and more. Whether you're interested in a simple faux finish technique or are dedicated to preserving the architecture and charm of your own historic dwelling, this book will help you create a living environment rich in color, texture and atmosphere ... a place called "home."

As a tattoo specialist and writer for About.com, Hudson has talked to far too many people who regret their tattoos. Now she pens a resource for body art enthusiasts who are thinking about getting their first or fifth tattoo, planning for their next bod-mod, or regretting a negative experience.

“Must be brave, stubborn, and impervious to the tempers of loved ones.” The first line hissed with history. “Hours are endless, pay is non-existence, quitting absolutely forbidden.” The second line ached with truth. “Able to function on no sleep, refrain from running when times get hard, and be more than just a living canvas but a lover.” The third thrummed with honesty. “Other attributes required: forgiving, opinionated, and not afraid to tell me when I’m wrong. Must also enjoy being touched and kissed at any time of my choosing.” The fourth glowed with promise. “Call or email ‘YOUR HEART, HIS SOUL’ if interested in applying.” The final made my future unfold. The advert was so similar to one I should never have applied for. A twist of fate that brought two destined people back together. A job I would take in a heartbeat if the employer could offer such terms. But I wasn’t free. Neither was Gil. Therefore, my interview could never happen.

Tattoos. Given their permanence, why is it that we sometimes put more thought into what we’ll wear next Saturday night, or our next haircut? As a tattoo specialist and writer for About.com, Karen L. Hudson has talked to far too many people who regret their tattoos. After years of fielding questions and concerns about tattoo health, she realized the need for a book that would cover all the bases of body art—from planning and choosing an artist to how to take care of your new piercing or tattoo afterwards. Living Canvas is a resource for body art enthusiasts, whether you’re thinking about getting your first or fifth tattoo, planning for your next bod-mod, or regretting a negative experience. Transforming one’s body into a living canvas should not be taken lightly, and Hudson covers the topics that too many people overlook. Encouraging readers to make safe, smart body art choices, Living Canvas is informative, preventative, and educational.

Tattoos. Given their permanence, why is it that we sometimes put more thought into what we’ll wear next Saturday night, or our next haircut? As a tattoo specialist and writer for About.com, Karen L. Hudson has talked to far too many people who regret their tattoos. After years of fielding questions and concerns about tattoo health, she realized the need for a book that would cover all the bases of body art—from planning and choosing an artist to how to take care of your new piercing or tattoo afterwards. Living Canvas is a resource for body art enthusiasts, whether you’re thinking about getting your first or fifth tattoo, planning for your next bod-mod, or regretting a negative experience. Transforming one’s body into a living canvas should not be taken lightly, and Hudson covers the topics that too many people overlook. Encouraging readers to make safe, smart body art choices, Living Canvas is informative, preventative, and educational.

Detroit’s unique and partly abandoned cityscape has scarred its image around the world for decades. But in the last several years journalists have begun to view the city through a different lens, focusing on the wide range of contemporary artists finding inspiration amid the emptiness and adding a more complex chapter to the story of a city long labeled as a haunting symbol of U.S. economic decline. In Canvas Detroit, Julie Pincus and Nichole Christian combine vibrant full-color photography of the city’s much-buzzed-about art scene with thoughtful narrative that explores the art and artists that are re-creating Detroit. Canvas Detroit captures hundreds of pieces of artwork in many forms—including large-scale and small-scale murals, sculptures, portraits, light projections, wearable art, and installations (made with wood, glass, living plants, fiber, and fabric). Works are situated in both obvious and more hidden spaces, including on and in houses, garages, factories, alleyways, doors, and walls, while some structures have been entirely transformed into art. Pincus and Christian profile internationally known figures like Banksy, Matthew Barney, and Tyree Guyton; prominent Detroit artists such as Scott Hocking, Jerome Ferretti, and Robert Sestock; and collectives like Power House Productions, Hygenic Dress League, the Empowerment Plan, and Theatre Bizarre. Canvas Detroit also features contributions by Marion Jackson, John Gallagher, Michael H. Hodges, Rebecca R. Hart, and Linda Yablonsky that contextualize the current artistic moment in the city. This beautifully designed and informative volume showcases the stunning breadth and depth of artwork currently being done in Detroit. It will be essential reading for anyone interested in arts and culture in the city.