The Mirror And The Palette

Until the twentieth century, art history was, in the main, written by white men who tended to write about other white men. The idea that women in the West have always made art was rarely cited as a possibility. Yet they have - and, of course, continue to do so - often against tremendous odds, from laws and religion to the pressures of family and public disapproval. In THE MIRROR AND THE PALETTE, Jennifer Higgie introduces us to a cross-section of women artists who embody the fact that there is more than one way to understand our planet, more than one way to live in it and more than one way to make art about it. Spanning 500 years, biography and cultural history intertwine in a narrative packed with tales of rebellion, adventure, revolution, travel and tragedy enacted by women who turned their back on convention and lived lives of great resilience, creativity and bravery. This is a dazzlingly original and ambitious book by one of the most well-respected art critics at work today.

Until the 20th century, art history was, in the main, written by white, western men who tended to write about other white, western men. The idea that women in the West have always made art was rarely cited as a possibility. Yet, they have - and, of course, continue to do so - often against tremendous odds, from laws to religion and the pressures of family and public disapproval. Feminism has shaken up the story of art and, for the first time, cast light on the often-brilliant work by women artists who were often ignored, patronised or marginalised. These artists embody the fact that there is more than one way to understand our planet, more than one way to live in it and more than one way to make art about it. In THE MIRROR AND THE PALETTE, Jennifer Higgie introduces us to a cross-section of extraordinary women artists from the 16th to the 20th centuries, using their self-portraits as a springboard to examine how and why they became artists and what their self-representation reveals about the times in which they lived. Intertwining biography and cultural history, and packed with tales of rebellion, adventure, revolution, travel and tragedy enacted by women who turned their back on convention and lived lives of great resilience, creativity and bravery, THE MIRROR AND THE PALETTE is a dazzlingly original and ambitious book by one of the most well-respected art critics at work today.

The first chronicle of the whole story of female self portraiture through the centuries—a key work in the study of women’s art For centuries, women’s self-portraiture was a highly overlooked genre. Beginning with the self-portraits of nuns in medieval illuminated manuscripts, Seeing Ourselves finally gives this richly diverse range of artists and portraits, spanning centuries, the critical analysis they deserve. In sixteenth-century Italy, Sofonisba Anguissola paints one of the longest series of self-portraits, from adolescence to old age. In seventeenth-century Holland, Judith Leyster shows herself at the easel as a relaxed, self-assured professional. In the eighteenth century, from Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun to Angelica Kauffman, artists express both passion for their craft and the idea of femininity; and the nineteenth century sees the art schools open their doors to women and a new and resonant self-confidence for a host of talented female artists, such as Berthe Morisot. The modern period demolishes taboos: Alice Neel painting herself nude at eighty years old, Frida Kahlo rendering physical pain on the canvas, Cindy Sherman exploring identity, and Marlene Dumas dispensing with all boundaries. Frances Borzello’s spirited text, now fully revised, and the intensity of the accompanying self-portraits are set off to full advantage in this new edition, now in reading-book format.

An ambitious tale of magic, war, and parallel worlds that pushes the boundaries of epic fantasy—from a two-time Hugo Award winner On the eve of a recurring catastrophic event known to extinguish nations and reshape continents, a troubled orphan evades death and slavery to uncover her own bloody past . . . while a world goes to war with itself. In the frozen kingdom of Saiduan, invaders from another realm are decimating whole cities, leaving behind nothing but ash and ruin. At the heart of this war lie the pacifistic Dhai people, once enslaved by the Saiduan and now courted by their former masters to provide aid against the encroaching enemy. As the dark star of the cataclysm rises, an illegitimate ruler is tasked with holding together a country fractured by civil war; a precocious young fighter is asked to betray his family to save his skin; and a half-Dhai general must choose between the eradication of her father's people or loyalty to her alien Empress. Through tense alliances and devastating betrayal, the Dhai and their allies attempt to hold against a seemingly unstoppable force as enemy nations prepare for a coming together of worlds as old as the universe itself. In the end, one world will rise—and many will perish. Stretching from desolate tundras to steamy, semi-tropical climes seething with sentient plant life, this is an epic tale of blood mages and mercenaries, emperors and priestly assassins, who must unite to save a world on the brink of ruin. File Under: Fantasy [ Orphaned Child | World at War | Blood Magic | The Fluidity of Gender]

A young girl dances with her reflection in a mirror in this story told without words.

Art historian Chloé Devereaux needs a job, and she wants it to be in her hometown of New Orleans. She interviews for a position as an assistant at a prestigious art dealership run by the Winters Corporation—specifically, the beautiful, ruthless, and alluring Amelia Winters. Amelia intrigues Chloé—and intimidates her. After she hires Chloé, Amelia insists that her assistant dress the part, and takes her on a whirlwind makeover and shopping spree. Before Chloé knows it, she is wearing designer clothes and barely recognizes herself in the mirror. Chloé’s friends and family are worried, and they warn her that Amelia is a lady killer. Chloé does her best to ignore them, reasoning that her relationship with Amelia is purely professional…or is it? Is Chloé’s growing regard for Amelia something more than friendship? Are her friends and family right? Should Chloé steer clear?

Artists are always in search of new subjects to paint, and this guide provides what they need to kick-start their creativity. Part art instruction, part inspiration, Painting Landscapes from Your Imagination features step-by-step techniques coupled with imaginative exercises for brainstorming, executing and completing dynamic compositions. Using found objects such as twigs, rocks, photos, doodles, etc. artists will learn to compose engaging landscapes as they practice basic watercolor methods, including dry brushing, charging, mingling and working wet-in-wet. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of painting watercolor landscapes, enabling more advanced artists to skip to the sections they need. This guide also includes a unique fold out and follow me guide which allows artists to juxtapose a large print of three separate compositions with accompanying step-by-step demonstrations. Selling points: A liberating cure for blank paper syndrome; Packed with dozens of techniques, ideas and demonstrations; Features a unique fold out follow me approach.