The Tao Of Watercolor

Combining the best of Eastern philosophy with the best of Western technique, this book is the first in a three-part series that offers inspiring and empowering advice for artists and creators of all levels. 100 color illustrations.

By the author ofThe Tao of Watercolor, this book, the second in her "Path of Painting" series, offers creative artists of all levels empowering guidance based on Zen principles.

The ancient Chinese philosophy of Taoism contains profound wisdom about the cosmos, nature, human life, and education. Taoism seeks to be in harmony with nature, and using it as a guide can help us live in a way that is healing to both ourselves and the planet. Taoism, Teaching, and Learning identifies key aspects of Taoist thought and highlights how these principles can promote a holistic approach to teaching and learning. In particular, this book offers educators guidelines and pedagogical examples for how to instil a perspective of interconnectedness into their classrooms. It sheds light on how philosophical Taoism articulates a vision of the universe and life that mirrors the actual realities of nature. Providing frameworks and methods for teaching and learning based on the interconnectedness of life, Taoism, Teaching, and Learning develops an inspiring vision for education and helps us to see our world in a deeply holistic and meaningful way.

Award-winning artist Qu Lei Lei offers an inspirational view of art from the Chinese perspective. Instead of looking at the sketch as an end in itself, he focuses on the work as personal fulfillment for the artist and as a valued meditation. All the essential techniques are here--from choosing and using materials to mixing the ink to mastering brushstrokes. With the natural world as his subject, Lei Lei pulls out key features--water, trees, landscapes--and focuses on practical ways of depicting their different varieties. A master class covers techniques for capturing pets at play, and for conveying the spirit of all living creatures

“Earnestly recounting how 45 successful women achieved their dreams, McMeekin aims to provide ‘mentors’ who can help readers transcend creative blocks.”—Publishers Weekly From the popular creative coach Gail McMeekin—author of The 12 Secrets of Highly Successful Women—comes advice about the specific challenges in life that creative women face today. Identified in a survey of 1,500 CEOs to be the key leadership skill of the 21st century, creativity can help women entrepreneurs and business leaders realize their dreams. The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women explores the profiles of 45 of today’s most successful women, combining their insights with Gail’s own proven strategies. Each chapter offers the 12 secrets, keys, and challenges to help women work through their creative process. Together they offer an inspirational roadmap, providing all the tools women need to uncover their own authenticity and realize their creative dreams, including how to: · Dismantle limiting beliefs · Take positive and calculated risks · Make career changes fueled by passion and purpose · “Filter and Focus” to give creative ideas time and space to evolve · Prioritize · Overcome procrastination · Declutter and create workable workspaces · Find resources and support “Such a wonderful reading experience. I couldn't wait to hear each story and glean all the wit, humor, and wisdom from each woman’s own experience.”—Carol Adrienne, coauthor of The Celestine Prophecy: An Experiential Guide “An empowering book for those ready to confront self-defeating patterns related to creativity, and a great booster shot for those of us who have already faced and conquered some of the dragons.”—Caroll Michels, author of How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist

In the first book to study the short film using the yin yang complementarity, Raskin proposes a new paradigm—describing major forms of yin and yang, redefined as ungendered, freed of patriarchal bias. Yin evokes such properties as holding back and an openness to interpretation while yang promotes structure, causality, and control. Ten exemplary short films show how the model illuminates their storytelling. Features richly illustrated, shot-by-shot breakdowns—many in color—and links. "Richard Raskin changed my way of thinking about short films twenty years ago with his marvelous book The Art of the Short Fiction Film. And now he manages to do it again! The Yin and Yang of Short Film Storytelling offers a totally new approach to analyzing and making short films. This beautifully written book is fascinating to read and gives valuable tools as well as enormous inspiration to all short film lovers, whether film makers or film researchers. Don't miss this big little pearl!" — Saara Cantell, Film Director, Script Writer, Doctor of Arts (Finland) "Short films are the laboratory of cinema. And no one is more comfortable in this laboratory than Richard Raskin. His book gives an entirely new and fresh approach to creating short films. Think different! Read it, study these ten case studies, and enter an entirely new and original way of shaping shorts armed with the advice of the master of short filmmaking." — Elliot Grove, Founder Raindance Film Festival and British Independent Film Awards "Richard Raskin is a world-renowned scholar and filmmaker whose work has been foundational in bringing attention and respect to short films. His brilliant new book promises to be another touchstone that inspires shorts enthusiasts, scholars, and filmmakers. With its beautifully curated selection of ten "case study" films, it provides an original and fascinating framework that conveys the richness and depth that one can bring to the appreciation - and making - of short form media." — Cynthia Felando, Editor of Short Film Studies and Senior Lecturer, University of California, Santa Barbara "Raskin's book is a must-read for any film-lover or scholar of film and literature. In this wonderfully lucid and creative work, the central concepts and thesis are carefully spelled out, brilliantly applied, and made truly illuminating. Raskin has also stripped the yin-yang distinction of its sexist pitfalls in a way that enhances its utility and appeal. The book is destined to be a classic!" — Andrew Effrat, former Dean of Education, University of Massachusetts, Amherst "This is a fascinating read. Raskin has taken his encyclopedic knowledge of short films and created a tool, an analytical system, to help illuminate what makes a short film successful. I love that it's a tool that can be applied to almost any piece of art for that matter." — David Greenspan, Palme d'Or for Best Short Film at Cannes in 2001; directed or edited numerous episodes of Grey's Anatomy, Station 19, and other TV series