Soft as Steel: The Art of Julie Bell

Book Description

From metallic images to superheroes, Julie Bell's illustrations emanate power and sensuality. The term "metal flesh" has been coined to express one of her distinct styles, making it the trademark of her work. A series of exotic fantasy realms come to life with astounding vividness in her paintings, in which the bodies appear to be a melding of cold steel and vulnerable human flesh.

Customer Reviews:

Art or Porn.......2007-06-11

When asked the difference between art and pornagraphy, it is said one just knows. I "just know" that this books crosses the line way too often. I'll be enjoying a piece, eraptured by it's beauty, turn the page and be disgusted as nude characters fornicate on the next page.
I have no problems with nudity in art. In fantasy art nude and nearly nude women (and some times men)are the excepted standard. When done with class and taste, like Amy Brown for example, it ehances the piece not distracts or in some cases disgusts. True art is something I can share with my children, discuss it with them, let it enrich their lives as it enriches mine; rather than hide in it the back of my closet so they don't see it.

Julie Bell at her best.......2000-06-28

This is the 2nd book i got hold after "Hard Curves". Fans of Julie Bell's fantasy art get to keep her prints in a single book. That's luxury! Profusely illustrated and a sure treat for fantasy illustration. Near flawless fantasy art collection in oil captured on prints. Perfect interpretation of human anatomy through her oil painting techniques. Definitely a must for fantasy art collector. One pity is some prints are printing over 2 pages and over time the paperback give way in the saddle and the prints gets torn out. Would have been better if it's a hardbound.

Exquisite look at Julie Bell's art!.......1999-08-14

This book combines comments from Julie with a variety of her work from oil paintings to pencil sketches. Especially exciting is seeing some of her trading card art in a larger format. The only problem is the binding. It can be hard to view double page spreads, as part of it is obscured in the binding. This is a great, inexpensive way to get your hands on some of Julie's art.

Average customer rating:

Soft as Steel - the Art of Julie Bell
Nigel ( Julie Bell ) Suckling
Manufacturer: Thunder's Mouth Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1855856778

Book Description

"One of the most helpful sections features the elements of a good manicure and pedicure, aided by great close-up color photographs and professional tips... Directions are clear, relying primarily on visually arresting photographs."--Booklist

Beautiful nails--whether natural or extended, glittery or jeweled--are at your fingertips. No matter what the occasion, whatever style of clothes you're wearing, there's a stunning design here to complement it. Silver polish and a diagonal line of rhinestones shine and shimmer, while candy-pink polish covered with lace results in a delicate, textured effect. Whole-nail decals are a quick way to make a glamorous statement when you coordinate them with an outfit or accessories. Or make an even more dramatic impression with airbrushing or false nails. Bonus: advice on nail care, polishes, manicures and pedicures, and more.

Customer Reviews:

Fun ideas, sloppy execution........2006-01-06

This is the first book I've ever read on the topic of nail decoration, so I'm not as well qualified to assess the techniques and designs as a professional manicurist. Nevertheless, it struck me as a fun book. It showcased a variety of techniques and the photos and instructions looked easy to follow.

The photos are on the sloppy side, though, with lots of issues like nail polish either not fully covering the model's nails or flowing over onto the model's skin. To be fair, the nails are depicted at several times life size, so any mistakes are going to be easier to see.

The nice thing about the photos in this book is that if you're an amateur, you can look at them and feel reasonably comfortable that your work is going to look at least that good. You can go forth, have fun, and not obsess over perfection.

If professional nail artists or manicurists have a better book to suggest, it would be nice to hear what it is.

Yipes!.......2003-06-24

Oh my goodness. This could be the ugliest book on Earth. Not only are the base coats of almost every nail in the book so frightfully sloppy, but all of the designs put on top of these disasters are *so* 1983. Maybe your blind grandmother would find these nail designs appealing, anyone with any sort of style or clear eyesight, really, should run from this book and never look back.

Not for professionals.......2002-08-23

I am a professional manicurist and was looking for new nail art ideas. The ideas in this book are ok but the presenation was not very good. Pictures of nail art were done sloppy and unprofessional. This is an ok book to start with but plan to become much better on your clients.

Book Description

The New Avengers riot hits here! The jailbreak of the century causes more havoc in the Marvel Universe as a flood of the most dangerous villains on the planet pour into the streets of New York City! And caught between two warring cliques of escaped convicts is everyone's favorite Web-slinger! Collects Spider-Man: Breakout #1-5.

Customer Reviews:

Not bad.......2006-08-17

There's a breakout at "the Raft" an island prison designed to detain supervillians. A number of heroes who are in the area try to stop the chaos and keep as many criminals from escaping as possible. These heroes include Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, Luke Cage, and Spider-Woman. This event is the impetus for forming the New Avengers. These events also happened in the first volume of New Avengers.

This book (which collects the five issue "Spider-Man: Breakout" miniseries) is billed as being a tie-in to that event. During the melee Spider-Man loses his mask. The person responsible turns out to be Electro, an old Spider-Man villain. That's what happened in New Avengers. I thought that it might be expanded upon or that there might be ramifications, but nothing like that happens. Spider-Man's involvement in the breakout is covered on just a few pages, and if you haven't already read New Avengers then you don't really understand what's happening.

The bulk of this story is actually about two rival groups of escaped criminals who stay in New York and keep getting into fights with each other: the U-Foes and a group composed of Crossfire, the Controller, the Mandrill, the Corruptor, and Mister Fear, all of whom have have powers which enable them to control people in some form or another.

Now, if you don't know who any of these characters are, don't worry. By the end of the book they're explained well enough that you get their relevance to the story and to each other.

So these two groups are fighting each other and they seem to be looking for something or someone. Spider-Man gets involved and tries to figure out how to stop them. The New Avengers aren't even official yet, and Spider-Man has trouble getting used to working with them as a team. Despite Captain America and Iron Man's offers of help, Spider-Man ends up going it alone.

The characters are written well, though Bedard needs to work on his pacing, and the artwork is good. At the end of the story you really understand why the villains won't let their grudges go.

But I really thought this was going to tie into the actual breakout event from New Avengers more. Why go through the effort of doing a "Spider-Man: Breakout" miniseries? Spider-Man fights villains in his regular books every month, so that's nothing special. Also, both DC and Marvel have a major supervillain breakout like this at least once every couple years, just so the villains are out on the street for the heroes to fight. I thought that this book might have something unique to say about this particular breakout and I'm sorry to say that it really doesn't.

The New Avengers #4 w/ Spider-Woman Breakout Part Four

Average customer rating:

The New Avengers #4 w/ Spider-Woman Breakout Part Four
Brian Michael Bendis
Manufacturer: Marvel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Comic
ASIN: B000SLODQI

Average customer rating:

Spider-man: Breakout #3 August 2005
Tony Bedard
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Comic

General | Comic Strips | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

Marvel | Publishers | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

Spider-Man | Characters | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000SFLRK4

Product Description

Part 3 of 5.

SPIDER-MAN: BREAKOUT, #1 OF 5 (COMIC BOOK)

Average customer rating:

SPIDER-MAN: BREAKOUT, #1 OF 5 (COMIC BOOK)
BEDARD
Manufacturer: MARVEL
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Spider-Man | Characters | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000O8Q33G

SPIDER-MAN: BREAKOUT, #2 OF 5 (COMIC BOOK)

Average customer rating:

SPIDER-MAN: BREAKOUT, #2 OF 5 (COMIC BOOK)
BEDARD
Manufacturer: MARVEL
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Spider-Man | Characters | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000O0N8IM

SPIDER-MAN: BREAKOUT, #4 OF 5 (COMIC BOOK)

Average customer rating:

SPIDER-MAN: BREAKOUT, #4 OF 5 (COMIC BOOK)
BEDARD
Manufacturer: MARVEL COMICS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Spider-Man | Characters | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000O0LA50

SPIDER-MAN: BREAKOUT, #5 OF 5 (COMIC BOOK)

Average customer rating:

SPIDER-MAN: BREAKOUT, #5 OF 5 (COMIC BOOK)
BEDARD
Manufacturer: MARVEL COMICS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Spider-Man | Characters | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000O0JCCS

Book Description

James Pinocchio wakes up in the back of a New York City taxi with a combination lock piercing his left ear and no idea how it got there, or what the combination is.

The following day, his wealthy parents decide they've had enough, and they send him off to Sleepy Hollow, the famous rehab facility in Upstate New York. While there, Mr. Pinocchio meets all sorts of Fascinating Characters, one more Unbelievable and Amazing than the next, and they challenge him to confront his Deepest, Darkest Fears. The experience leads Mr. Pinocchio to the very edges of despair, but at a critical juncture he finds hope in the arms of a Bad Woman.

The love affair ends tragically, alas, and, like many parts of Mr. Pinocchio's story, stretches credibility to the breaking point, but the harrowing adventure -- which involves a great deal of pain, a smattering of dirty sex, and endless amounts of girlish crying -- eventually leads to Redemption and Healing. But not for Mr. Pinocchio

Customer Reviews:

I wan't my brain cells back.......2007-08-27

It's pathetic that someone wasted their time writing this book to bash A Million Little Pieces. My ex is in prison for meth related crimes and this book has been crucial to his recovery. It has helped our communication, and whether James' story is exaggerated or not, it's one of the best and most helpful books I've ever read and recommend it to everyone. This book however is a complete waste of time and brain cells, and sad that the author makes a living talking trash about others.

Poor Taste.......2007-04-05

Anything that parodies the story of a drug addict is an insensitive callous assault on common human decency. They might have just as well brought in the cripple and cancer patient too. A poorly written waste of time. They should be sued for the cover.

wow........2007-02-09

this has got to be the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen. everyone should leaves James Frey alone. a million little pieces was a great book. and just because he embellished doesn't make it any less of a great book.

good for the funny bone.......2006-07-12

if you've read a million little pieces and have a decent sense of humor, you'll be tickled by this book, which is quality parody--better than i expected. i gave it three stars because i did, however, bore of it in the middle (you can only last so long reading james frey's borderline annoying angst multiplied times 1000 with pointlessness--even if it is hilarious--added in) and ended up only skimming through the rest, once in a while stopping on a random page to laugh. still, from the supposed "acclaim" on the first page and back of the book to the author's acknowledgments, it had me chortling aloud in the bookstore (these turned out to be my favorite part of the book).

Laugh Out Loud Funny........2006-05-14

James Pinnochio's hysterical parody of James Frey's "A Million Little Pieces" will cause any reader who followed the Frey controversy to collapse in giggles. Starting with the cover art of a baby's foot covered in ice cream sprinkles, and extending through every Frey nuance, "A Million Little Lies" is just one funny book.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good laugh.

Book Description

A challenging look at the roles and images of African-Americans in film from the point of view of an African-American film producer and writer who grew up with those images during the '60s and '70s.

Customer Reviews:

strong Book.......2003-01-20

Nelson George does a Great job of showing through the history of FIlm How African-American Actors&Actress's are portrayed.the power of Image in front&behind the camera is on display here.very detailed of how African-American Image's translate from head too toe with audience's.this book holds nothing back.Nelson George brings another Winner here.

Blackface Reflections on African-Americans and the Movies

Average customer rating:

Blackface Reflections on African-Americans and the Movies
Nelson George
Manufacturer: Harper Collins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000J0LJMY

Average customer rating:

Blackface Reflections on African-Americans and the Movies
Nelson George
Manufacturer: Harper Collins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000J0LD2A

Average customer rating:

Blackface: Reflections on African-Americans and the Movies
Nelson George
Manufacturer: Perennial
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000QYFPR8

Average customer rating:

Blackface: Reflections On African-Americans And The Movies
George Nelson
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OEHT1A

Average customer rating:

Blackface: Reflections on African-Americans and the Movies
Nelson George
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000IMJZNI

Average customer rating:

very intersting book

The B.B. King Reader: Six Decades of Commentary
Richard Kostelanetz , and B.B. King
Manufacturer: Hal Leonard
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Similar Items:

The B. B. King Treasures: Photos, Mementos & Music from B. B. King's Collection

B.B. King: There Is Always One More Time

Blues All around Me: The Autobiography of B. B. King

Big Boss Man: The Life and Music of Bluesman Jimmy Reed

ASIN: 0634099272

Product Description

B.B. King is a national treasure. For more than five decades, he has been the consummate blues performer. His unique guitar playing, powerful vocals, and repertoire of songs have taken him from tiny Itta Bena, Mississippi, to worldwide renown. In this comprehensive volume, the best articles, interviews and reviews about B.B. King's life and career have been gathered. Learn how he first made his mark as a disc jockey in Memphis hawking "Pepticon" elixir and taking the moniker of the "Beale Street Blues Boy"; trace his early tours and recordings; see him be swept up in the blues revival; and finally, enjoy his fame as the greatest living exponent of the blues style. Extensively revised second edition · Includes 18 interviews.

Customer Reviews:

very intersting book.......2006-03-05

I think in the study of BB KING icon it is a fundamental book with the interviews and also go deep to the roots of his music,the man and the history of blues in general.
With more photos during his career from the original radio spot Pepticon to the last live stages it could be more intersting to ready.

Book Description

Engaging peel-and-apply reproductions of late 19th-, early 20th-century illustrations feature cats and kittens in traditional poses—with bells and bows around their necks, alone or in charming groups of two and three. Add instant charm to gifts, envelopes, other flat surfaces.

Customer Reviews:

Just Not As Cute As I Thought They'd Be.......2005-08-16

They're high quality, but some of the kittens are just downright ugly. I think there were only 3 that were actually cute.

I'm stuck on these stickers.......2003-10-31

All of the stickers I have purchased in the past month or so have been so wonderful. I will continue to always look here, on Amazon.com for all my future stickers. The Old Fashioned Halloween stickers by Maggie Kate are just MARVELOUS, WONDERFUL,BEAUTIFUL. I hate to give them away. That's why I always go back and buy one or more for the future.

Sincerely,
Kimberly Krch

These stickers are the cat's meow........2001-01-19

I initially purchased this little book of stickers at a Victorian tea shop several years ago. It was so neat, I couldn't bear to use the stickers. When I saw it was offered on amazon.com, I was delighted. The stickers are nice quality and would be suitable for anyone enjoying antique or Victorian images, as well as cat fanciers. The booklet is small enough to slip inside a greeting card to send to a friend. I also believe this product to be a good value for tbe price.

Book Description

INFLUENCE IS AN ART!Millions of people have improved their leadership style and "people skills" after reading Ken Blanchard's best-selling book The One-Minute Manager.Now, Blanchard helps us discover the art of influence through the greatest life and leadership lessons he's learned in his rich career as an educator and business leader. The Heart of a Leader offers Blanchard's insight and wisdom on choosing values, aiming for excellence, maintaining integrity, finding the courage to change, helping others reach their potential, and more. With The Heart of a Leader you'll master key attitudes and actions to impact the lives of those around you.Influence is an art - and it begins with the heart of a leader. It's time to let your heart soar!

Customer Reviews:

Excellent.......2007-04-02

Ken Blanchard surely knows what he's teaching. Some people can only take the words, but Ken Blanchard not only took the words, instead he elaborated them and re-defined them into greater values.

If you want to learn practical values of leadership, this book is a must.

Blanchard Summary.......2007-01-16

Excellent pocket book on small to medium-sized business leadership. The beauty of this book's format is that the reader need only read one page per day to get a great impact. The book is set up so that the reader can view an inspirational quote on the left page and a summary of one of Blanchard's many books on the right page. If desired, the reader can spend only a few minutes per day on one particular subject. In addition, the summary of the particular philosophy discussed includes the name of the book from which the summary came. This allows the reader, if interested, to refer to the book referenced in order to get a more in-depth view of what is being discussed. This is a great book to give as a gift to those business leaders who have not experienced all of Blanchard's philosophies.

Helpful Leadership Quotes.......2006-09-29

A book of over 75 quotes, Ken Blanchard records some of his favorite quotes and then briefly expounds on the main point of the quote. Numerous authors, famous historical figures and leadership experts such as Abraham Lincoln, Don Shula and Norman Vincent Peale are quoted in this book. Very readable and full of great advice on leadership, The Heart of a Leader is concise yet practically helpful. The author is a respected author on leadership, and so this book is appreciated as a good summary of Blancahrd's convictions and insights on leadership. I personally appreciated reading two or three quotes every day for about two months. Some quotes were obvious; some were silly but most were helpful and required thought and reflection. The style made for an easy read; it didn't require a large time commitment to glean the content of the book.

Some important topics that came through these quotes include developing leaders, encouraging those you lead, the value of a team, humility, hard work, the value of keeping a learner's attitude, high quality standards, the importance of understanding how diverse people can be, modeling good examples, morality, the importance of listening to those we lead, vision, goal setting, good communication with those we are leading, enjoying the task of leading, flexibility, the importance of good relationships, being vulnerable, and sharing leadership strategy with others. All of the above topics could probably be books in themselves, but they only get a few paragraphs each in this book. I personally found many of these quotes and the corresponding paragraph of explanation very helpful. The quotes are usually catchy, yet profound and thought inspiring.

Easy to read.......2003-02-09

This book is very readable and gets some new thought processes working.

Good Advice.......2002-12-06

I purchased the e-book of "Heart of a Leader." The book is chock full of great tips for a variety of situations with the justification for each tip. It is an excellent reference for any supervisor or manager.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books