Jan Greenberg (1)

Authors Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan, and illustrator Brian Floca have collaborated on this wonderful picture-book tribute to another artistic collaboration, one which brought together the story idea and choreography of Martha Graham, the musical composition of Aaron Copland, and the set design of Isamu Noguchi, to produce the wonderful American ballet, Appalachian Spring. With a simple, but effective narrative, and gorgeously expressive illustrations, Ballet for Martha really show more communicates the creative vision of the three artists behind this landmark ballet, and how that vision was born out of working together.

I found this book unexpectedly engaging - not that I'd expected to dislike it, exactly, but I certainly wasn't prepared for how much I enjoyed it! - and came away with a greater appreciation for all three artists depicted. They each seem extraordinary in their own way - something highlighted, not just in the main narrative, but in the informative afterword as well. I didn't know that Martha Graham's dance troupe was the first to be integrated, or that Aaron Copland had been targeted by the McCarthy hysteria, or that Isamu Noguchi volunteered to join Japanese-Americans being interned in American concentration camps, during World War II. Obviously, I didn't know much! I'm glad to have learned a little bit about these figures, and hope to learn more about them in the future - something I imagine that young readers will feel as well. Recommended to all young ballet, music and art lovers, particularly those interested in these fields, and how they have developed in America. show less

I asked my teenagers whether they had heard of Andy Warhol. One had. When I began talking about the picture of the tomato soup can and the pictures of Marilyn Monroe, all of my teens knew this art in detail. It would be an exceptionally rare soul who has not had some exposure to things Andy today.

Perhaps half of us would chide Warhol’s art or even hesitate to label his prolific output with the term —just as he divided his art professors at Carnegie Tech. It is difficult, however, to show more dispute the influence Warhol had and continues to have on both the art world and popular culture. Whether you consider Warhol to be an artist or a huckster, there is no denying that Warhol was the first to turn our artistic gaze to everyday objects. When I asked my teens why someone would draw eight-foot pictures of soup cans, an argument commenced and each person had a completely different answer. This arguing is exactly why this book is valuable in social studies classes, art classes, or any class that explores popular culture. Readers should note, however, that this book will take you into the heart of the Factory Studio, known for its sex and drugs and rock and roll. Readers should also note that this tour will be conducted with exceptional insight, cultural and historical awareness, and a fair measure of objectivity.

As with the other artist biographies they have written, Greenberg and Jordan skillfully develop the context of the times along with the life of the artist. They show how Warhol developed from the young Shirley Temple fan in the steel mill town of Pittsburgh to the icon of pop art whose influence is stilling rippling today. Perhaps I should withhold judgment on this book until I see the actual book (I am reviewing from a galley copy that does not have the artwork). I think, however, that Warhol would embrace any errors and claim both versions as the truth. show less

This book, recognized as a Robert F. Sibert Honor Book, one of 2013's most distinguished informational books, is a photo-filled biography of George E. Ohr, a master of art pottery. A colorful character and far cry from the reticent or taciturn artist stereotype, Ohr was a self-proclaimed,
"rankey krankey solid individualist," the "Greatest Art Potter on Earth," and "born free and patriotic, blowing my own bugle."

Sadly, his bravado did not serve him well in his lifetime, as one fan wrote,

"Mr. show more Ohr is by no means a crank, but is a naturally bright, even brilliant man, who has been led into the belief that the way for him to attain publicity is through the channel of preposterous advertising, and the signs which he placed round Biloxi do him more harm than good."

Still, he was confident in his own mastery of his craft, and future generations came to recognize that he was indeed brilliant. The Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art was built in his honor, and houses a permanent exhibition of his work.

The Mad Potter is a narrative chronology and includes a history of the museum, instructions on how to create a clay pot, extensive Notes, Bibliography and Picture Credits, and my favorite - "How to Look at a Pot," a useful interpretation of the language and method used in describing and evaluating pottery.

A fascinating glimpse into an artist's life, the art of pottery, and the nature and mindset of the art-collecting world.

Photos and more at http://shelf-employed.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-mad-potter-review.html show less

"For Louise this inconvenient birth was the beginning of a turbulent story that would shape her art."

I must admit, I did not think I would enjoy this book about artist Louise Bourgeois. The title "Runaway Girl" was originally what caught my eye, but once I looked closer I thought it would be just another dragging biography about an artist. I could not have been more wrong!Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan did a phenomenal job writing this enthralling biography. From the slightly sarcastic tone show more at times to the cause and effect setup of the entire biography of Louise's life, I could not put the book down. To make it even better, the pictures were not just cartoon or drawn illustrations, but real pictures of Louise, her family, her art work, etc. Once again, the possibilities for incorporation into the classroom are absolutely endless. show less