Jadasclay@hotmail.com on mon 31 aug 09
I am in a book club with all potters/clay artists. We have only read one=
=3D
book=3D20
and it had nothing to do with clay. I am looking for book suggestions. =
=3D
Fiction=3D20
or not. I personally would like it to be pleasurable reading as opposed =
=3D
to a=3D20
technical read(I do the technical stuff all the time). I am looking for=3D=
20=3D
suggestions of books that relate to clay and/or art. Something in this r=
=3D
ealm=3D20
that will stimulate thought and thinking would be great. Feel free to a=
=3D
nswer=3D20
me on or off list.=3D20=3D20
THANKS,=3D20
Jada Ahern
jadasclay.com
jadasclay@hotmail.com
Lois Wilkins on mon 31 aug 09
Jada,
Consider Margaret Maron's Uncommon Clay. It's light,
a mystery set in Seagrove, but she talked to Boyd Owens,
Richard Gillson, Pam and Vernon Owens, Sid Luck,
Ben Owen III, Samantha and Bruce Gholson, Beth Gore
and Joannes Mellage, David Stuempfle and Dave Garner.
It's available in paperback, copyright 2001.
Best,
Lois
Lois Wilkins
claywork@verizon.net
I am in a book club with all potters/clay artists. We have
only read one book and it had nothing to do with clay. I am
looking for book suggestions.
jeanette harris on mon 31 aug 09
>I am in a book club with all potters/clay artists. We have only read one =
book
>and it had nothing to do with clay. I am looking for book
>suggestions. --snip--
>THANKS,
>Jada Ahern
>jadasclay.com
>jadasclay@hotmail.com
Hi, Jada,
One book I thought of immediately was "How to Think Like Leonardo da
Vinci". As you would guess, it's about thinking creatively. It's a
very 'meaty' book, meaning you could take a long time thinking about
every chapter. I don't know if your group would want to bite off that
much--300 some pages.
Another book about original thinking is Oliver Sacks', "Uncle
Tungsten" , a biographical book by the great psychologist and brain
scientist about his growing up in London and his unusual family. How
he followed his intellectual curiosity through a fascinating life. He
wrote "Awakenings" starring Robert De Niro. Also wrote Island of the
Color Blind", which I have, but haven't read yet, and another book
about music.
Two more fascinating books are written by the same woman, Victoria
Findley. "Color" traces the history of pigments, their origins,
process and use. She travels the world to run down encyclopedic
information, yet the narrative flows in a very easy and readable
book. Then follow with the next book about jewels.
I just finished an absolutely hilarious book by J. Maarten Troost,
"The Sex Lives of Cannibals", an account of life on Kiribati, a
Pacific Island nation. It brings back a lot of memories for me of
living on Guam for 2 years. He has several books and I'm going to
read them all.
More random suggestions:
All three of Alexander McCall Smith's Professor Von Inglefield's
books "Portugese Irregular Verbs" is the first, I think. A very quick
and funny read. Do them in order.
"On Writing" by Stephen King is a semi-autobiographical book about
his writing career and how to write. Also "Bird by Bird" by Ann
Lamont, another book author who writes about writing.
"The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time"and "A Spot of
Bother" by Mark Haddon Compare that with Faulkner's "The Sound and
the Fury" for the theme of perception.
Anything by Annie Proulx
John Le Cerre's "The Tailor of Panama"
Happy hunting
Cheers,
--
Jeanette Harris in Poulsbo WA
http://www.jeanetteharrisblog.blogspot.com
http://www.sa-clayartists.org go to Members, H heading
http://www.washingtonpotters.org/members/jeanette harris/wpa jeanette
harris.htm
James Freeman on mon 31 aug 09
Jada...
A few of my favorite clay or art related but not technical books:
The Mudpie Dilemma, by John Nance:
On the surface, a book about Tom and Elaine Coleman, but actually
about deeper issues concerning making a life and a living in the arts.
The Invisible Core: A Potter's Life and Thoughts, by Marguerite Wildenhain:
Just what the title implies.
A Potter's Workbook, by Clary Illian:
More of a "why to" rather than a "how to".
Nothing to hide, by Paul Soldner:
An absolute trip!
Zen seeing, Zen drawing, by Frederick Franck:
This book will make you want to pick up your pencil and sketch book again.
Wabi Sabi, for Artists, Designers, Poets, & Philosophers, by Leonard Koren:
One of my all time favorite books. I re-read it at least once per year.
The Painted Word, by Tom Wolfe:
Tears back the curtain to reveal the little man pulling the levers.
The Fountainhead, by Ayn Rand:
Art, architecture, and being true to oneself (mostly the latter).
Stranger in a Strange Land, by Robert Heinlein:
Fascinating, possibly a tad disturbing, book. Jubal Harshaw's musings
on art are not to be missed. Grok?
The Nature and Art of Workmanship, by David Pye:
Just what the title suggests.
The Impractical Cabinetmaker, by James Krenov:
About wood, not clay, but an utterly inspirational book (and craftsman).
Lost Japan, by Alex Kerr:
For anyone interested in the arts or philosophy of Japan. An
extremely interesting perspective.
The Story of Art, by Ernst Gombrich:
Actually an art history textbook, but reads more like a novel. His
perspective is both unique and fascinating.
That's it off the top of my head. Enjoy your reading.
...James
James Freeman
"All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I
should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed."
-Michel de Montaigne
http://www.jamesfreemanstudio.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesfreemanstudio/
http://www.jamesfreemanstudio.com/clayart/
On Mon, Aug 31, 2009 at 1:24 AM,
Jadasclay@hotmail.com wrote:
> I am in a book club with all potters/clay artists. =3DA0We have only read=
o=3D
ne book
> and it had nothing to do with clay. =3DA0I am looking for book suggestion=
s.=3D
=3DA0Fiction
> or not. =3DA0I personally would like it to be pleasurable reading as oppo=
se=3D
d to a
> technical read(I do the technical stuff all the time). =3DA0I am looking =
fo=3D
r
> suggestions of books that relate to clay and/or art. =3DA0Something in th=
is=3D
realm
> that will stimulate thought and thinking would be great. =3DA0 Feel free =
to=3D
answer
> me on or off list.
> THANKS,
> Jada Ahern
> jadasclay.com
> jadasclay@hotmail.com
>
marci and rex on mon 31 aug 09
At 12:24 AM 8/31/2009, Jadasclay@hotmail.com wrote:
>I am in a book club with all potters/clay artists. We have only
>read one book
>and it had nothing to do with clay. I am looking for book
>suggestions. Fiction
>or not. I personally would like it to be pleasurable reading as opposed t=
o a
>technical read(I do the technical stuff all the time). I am looking for
>suggestions of books that relate to clay and/or art. Something in this re=
alm
>that will stimulate thought and thinking would be great. Feel free
>to answer
>me on or off list.
>THANKS,
>Jada Ahern
Hey Jada,
"The Arcanum" by Janet Gleeson is some
interesting reading...AND clay related. Its the story of
the discovery of porcelain at Meissen . Its got
gold-hungry kings, people locked in dungeons, rivalry , intrigue
and....oh yeah , its a true story . LOL!...
Its a good read ...historical novels can be dry
... this is not. It was as much fun to read as was
Laura Hillebrand's " Seabiscuit" .
Marci Blattenberger Boskie's Mama =3D^..^=3D
http://www.marciblattenberger.com
marci@ppio.com
Porcelain Painters International Online http://www.ppio.com
Dave Finkelnburg on mon 31 aug 09
Jada,=3D0A=3DA0=3DA0=3DA0 What a great book club!=3DA0 I'm sure others will=
suggest t=3D
he following two volumes.=3DA0 I look forward to seeing other suggestions.=
=3D0A=3D
=3DA0=3DA0=3DA0 Consider, "A Cup of Light," by Nicole Mones.=3DA0 Light adv=
enture, =3D
mystery, romance (a little) wrapped around very scholarly research to tell =
=3D
a story about smuggling Imperial porcelains from China.=3DA0 Barbara Brown =
ga=3D
ve me a copy when I was on my way to China...a perfect accompaniment to the=
=3D
long flight and the much anticipated museums and shops full of these very =
=3D
wares and copies of them!=3D0A=3DA0=3DA0=3DA0 Also, "The Arcanum" by Janet =
Gleeson.=3D
=3DA0 A true story of the European discovery of how to make porcelain, and =
a =3D
bit about industrial espionage, this is a wonderful tale of humanity, and p=
=3D
roof once more that truth is always stranger than fiction!=3D0A=3DA0=3DA0=
=3DA0 =3DA0=3D
=3DA0=3DA0 Good reading,=3D0A=3DA0=3DA0=3DA0 =3DA0=3DA0=3DA0 =3DA0=3DA0=3DA=
0 Dave Finkelnburg=3D0A=3D0A=3D
=3DA0=3DA0=3DA0=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A________________________________=3D0AFrom: "J=
adasclay@hotma=3D
il.com" =3D0ATo: Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG=3D0ASent: =
Sund=3D
ay, August 30, 2009 11:24:57 PM=3D0ASubject: Book Club=3D0A=3D0AI am in a b=
ook cl=3D
ub with all potters/clay artists.=3DA0 We have only read one book =3D0Aand =
it h=3D
ad nothing to do with clay.=3DA0 I am looking for book suggestions.=3DA0 Fi=
ctio=3D
n =3D0Aor not.=3DA0 I personally would like it to be pleasurable reading as=
opp=3D
osed to a =3D0Atechnical read(I do the technical stuff all the time).=3DA0 =
I am=3D
looking for =3D0Asuggestions of books that relate to clay and/or art.=3DA0=
Som=3D
ething in this realm =3D0Athat will stimulate thought and thinking would be=
g=3D
reat.=3DA0 Feel free to answer =3D0Ame on or off list.=3DA0 =3D0ATHANKS, =
=3D0AJada Ah=3D
ern=3D0Ajadasclay.com=3D0Ajadasclay@hotmail.com=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A
terri roy on mon 31 aug 09
For a nice light read try, A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park.=3DA0It was awa=
rd=3D
ed the Newbery medal in=3DA0 2002 (children's literature) =3D0A=3D0ATakes p=
lace i=3D
n 12th century Korea, about a young orphan, homeless boy who wants to becom=
=3D
e potter.=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A=3DA0=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A______=
________________________=3D
__=3D0AFrom: "Jadasclay@hotmail.com" =3D0ATo: Clayar=
t@LS=3D
V.CERAMICS.ORG=3D0ASent: Monday, August 31, 2009 1:24:57 AM=3D0ASubject: Bo=
ok C=3D
lub=3D0A=3D0AI am in a book club with all potters/clay artists.=3DA0 We hav=
e only=3D
read one book =3D0Aand it had nothing to do with clay.=3DA0 I am looking f=
or b=3D
ook suggestions.=3DA0 Fiction =3D0Aor not.=3DA0 I personally would like it =
to be =3D
pleasurable reading as opposed to a =3D0Atechnical read(I do the technical =
st=3D
uff all the time).=3DA0 I am looking for =3D0Asuggestions of books that rel=
ate =3D
to clay and/or art.=3DA0 Something in this realm =3D0Athat will stimulate t=
houg=3D
ht and thinking would be great.=3DA0 Feel free to answer =3D0Ame on or off =
list=3D
.=3DA0 =3D0ATHANKS, =3D0AJada Ahern=3D0Ajadasclay.com=3D0Ajadasclay@hotmail=
.com=3D0A
Russel Fouts on tue 1 sep 09
I second the vote for Color. It's on my re-re-read list.
How about Dennis Parks' Living in the Desert and Growing Weird. Very enjoya=
ble.
There are also the Potters Companion, another book simply called
'Clay" (I think) with clay covered hands on the cover, there was also
one about creative thinking (I can't remember the title) written by
Rosett Gault(?)
Can you tell I can't get to my library and have a poor memory? ;-)
Actually, if the group are all potters, it might be fun to read one
of the 'classic' potters books. Sure, you've all read them
individually but it's totally different to read it together and
discuss them. A Potter's Book, Pioneer Pottery, If you really want
something you can get your teeth into try Rawlson(?) Ceramics. I
think someone here called it the very best unreadable book about ceramics. =
;-)
Or read one of the newer 'classics' and put it into practice; John
and Ron (with considerable contribution from Clayart)'s Mastering
Cone 6 Glazes or Revealing Stoneware glazes or Ian Currie's other
book or Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain or the Zen of Seeing,
or The Origins of Form or, hey, why not, The Hamers Dictionary of
Pottery Materials and Techiques.
Just some ideas. Some may be more workable than others depending on
the type of book group you have.
I loved my book group, miss it.
Russel
Russel Fouts
Mes Potes & Mes Pots
Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 2 223 02 75
Mobile: +32 476 55 38 75
http://www.mypots.com
Home of "The Potters Portal"
Over 3000 Pottery Related Links!
Updated infrequently
"Look, it's my misery that I have to paint this kind of painting,
it's your misery that you have to love it, and the price of the
misery is thirteen hundred and fifty dollars. "
- Mark Rothko, In Art/Painting
Jess McKenzie on tue 1 sep 09
Hi, Russel. Enjoyed your article.
We've already suggested--offnet--a few books by Aaron Elkins.
We forgot one, a different protagonist this time. The book we
forgot is Elkins' "Loot," about art stolen by the Nazis.
We also forgot a few non-fiction book-- those by Tony Birks-
Hay, author of "The Complete Potters Companion." Birks is a
Slade School honor grad, a potter, a sculptor, and an
excellent writer. We recommend his biography, "Lucie Rie" and
one other book, "Bernard Leach, Hamada and Their Circle."
Find it used, of course. Amazon wants the moon for it.
~joan and jess
Date sent: Tue, 1 Sep 2009 23:38:31 +0200
Send reply to: Russel Fouts
From: Russel Fouts
Subject: Re: Book Club
To: Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
[ Double-click this line for list subscription options ]
I second the vote for Color. It's on my re-re-read list.
How about Dennis Parks' Living in the Desert and Growing
Weird. Very
enjoyable.
There are also the Potters Companion, another book simply
called
'Clay" (I think) with clay covered hands on the cover, there
was also
one about creative thinking (I can't remember the title)
written by
Rosett Gault(?)
Can you tell I can't get to my library and have a poor memory?
;-)
Actually, if the group are all potters, it might be fun to
read one of
the 'classic' potters books. Sure, you've all read them
individually
but it's totally different to read it together and discuss
them. A
Potter's Book, Pioneer Pottery, If you really want something
you can
get your teeth into try Rawlson(?) Ceramics. I think someone
here
called it the very best unreadable book about ceramics. ;-)
Or read one of the newer 'classics' and put it into practice;
John and
Ron (with considerable contribution from Clayart)'s Mastering
Cone 6
Glazes or Revealing Stoneware glazes or Ian Currie's other
book or
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain or the Zen of Seeing,
or The
Origins of Form or, hey, why not, The Hamers Dictionary of
Pottery
Materials and Techiques.
Just some ideas. Some may be more workable than others
depending on
the type of book group you have.
I loved my book group, miss it.
Russel
Russel Fouts
Mes Potes & Mes Pots
Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 2 223 02 75
Mobile: +32 476 55 38 75
http://www.mypots.com
Home of "The Potters Portal"
Over 3000 Pottery Related Links!
Updated infrequently
"Look, it's my misery that I have to paint this kind of
painting, it's
your misery that you have to love it, and the price of the
misery is
thirteen hundred and fifty dollars. "
- Mark Rothko, In Art/Painting
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