Best Individual Artists

"Without The Artist's Way , there would have been no Eat, Pray, Love .” —Elizabeth Gilbert. With the basic principle that creative expression is the natural direction of life, Julia Cameron and Mark Bryan lead you through a comprehensive twelve-week program to recover your creativity from a variety of blocks, including limiting beliefs, fear, self-sabotage, jealousy, guilt, addictions, and other inhibiting forces, replacing them with artistic confidence and productivity. She recommends two ongoing activities that will conquer blocks and self-destructive tendencies: morning pages and artist's dates. The balance of the recording describes how the artist can overcome human tendencies such as jealousy, fear, and addiction.

Growing out of President Bush’s own outreach and the ongoing work of the George W. Bush Institute's Military Service Initiative, Portraits of Courage brings together sixty-six full-color portraits and a four-panel mural painted by President Bush of members of the United States military who have served our nation with honor since 9/11—and whom he has come to know personally. President Bush will donate his net author proceeds from PORTRAITS OF COURAGE to the George W. Bush Presidential Center, a non-profit organization whose Military Service Initiative works to ensure that post-9/11 veterans and their families make successful transitions to civilian life with a focus on gaining meaningful employment and overcoming the invisible wounds of war. It’s also a tale of life’s capacity to surprise, its ability to hand up new and unexpected lives not only to these veterans but also to their constitutional commander.” -Seth Lipsky, New York Post. After staring at the haunting close-up portraits of wounded warriors and reading the searing accounts of their suffering, I’m beginning to understand why this beautifully published book went to No. “Most of [the portraits] show the head and face full size, seemingly bursting out of the frame with genuine presence and considerable expressive energy . “[It’s] impossible to look at these 98 extraordinary images without thinking deeply about the artist who made them: A leader who sent troops off to the battlefield, and who, so many years later, spends his days channeling the damaged but determined warriors who came home . He and his wife, Laura, now live in Dallas, where they founded the George W. Bush Presidential Center at Southern Methodist University.

Naifeh and Smith bring a crucial understanding to the larger-than-life mythology of this great artist—his early struggles to find his place in the world; his intense relationship with his brother Theo; his impetus for turning to brush and canvas; and his move to Provence, where in a brief burst of incandescent productivity he painted some of the best-loved works in Western art. Jo Bonger Van Gogh with son Vincent van Gogh Credit: Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam Vincent van Gogh, Age 13 Credit: Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam Vincent van Gogh, Age 18 Credit: Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam Theo van Gogh, 1890 Credit: Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam The Yellow House Arles Credit: Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam Graves of Vincent and Theo van Gogh Auvers Credit: Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam “ The definitive biography for decades to come .”—Leo Jansen, curator, the Van Gogh Museum, and co-editor of Vincent van Gogh: The Complete Letters “In their magisterial new biography , Van Gogh: The Life, Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith provide a guided tour through the personal world and work of that Dutch painter, shining a bright light on the evolution of his art. What [the authors] capture so powerfully is Van Gogh’s extraordinary will to learn, to persevere against the odds.” — Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times “Captivating . the authors vividly reconstruct the intertwined stories of his life and his art, portraying him as a ‘victim of his own fanatic heart.’ . Their fine book has the potential not only to reinvigorate the broad base of popular interest that Van Gogh already enjoys but to introduce a whole new generation to one of art history’s most remarkable creative spirits.” — Jonathan Lopez, The Wall Street Journal “Could very well be the definitive biography . [The authors’] most important achievement is to produce a reckoning with Van Gogh’s occasional ‘madness’ that doesn’t lose sight of the lucidity and intelligence—the profound sanity—of his art.”—Richard Lacayo, Time “ Brilliant . [ Van Gogh ] rushes along on a tide of research. At once a model of scholarship and an emotive, pacy chunk of hagiography.”—Martin Herbert, The Daily Telegraph (London).

This #1 New York Times best-selling guide to decluttering your home from Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo takes readers step-by-step through her revolutionary KonMari Method for simplifying, organizing, and storing. #1 New York Times Best SellerAmazon's Best Book of 2014 in Crafts, Home & Garden. "Ms. Kondo delivers her tidy manifesto like a kind of Zen nanny, both hortatory and animistic." a literal how-to-heave-ho, and I recommend it for anyone who struggles with the material excess of living in a privileged society. A totally reasonable, scary cult that works, doesn’t kill people (a bonus), but does drastically change your life. the Japanese expert’s ode to decluttering is simple and easy to follow." "Reading it, you glimpse a glittering mental freedom from the unread/uncrafted/unworn, buyer’s remorse, the nervous eyeing of real estate listings. "All hail the new decluttering queen Marie Kondo, whose mess-busting bestseller has prompted a craze for tidying in homes across the world . "How could this pocket-sized book, which has already sold over 2 million copies and sits firmly atop the New York Times Best Seller list, make such a big promise? Marie “KonMari” Kondo runs an acclaimed consulting business in Tokyo helping clients transform their cluttered homes into spaces of serenity and inspiration. With a three-month waiting list, her KonMari Method of decluttering and organizing has become an international phenomenon. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is a best seller in Japan, Germany, and the UK, with more than two million copies sold worldwide, and has been turned into a television drama for Japanese TV. She has been named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time , featured on more than thirty major Japanese television and radio programs, and profiled in the Sunday Times , Red magazine, You magazine, the New York Times , USA Today , NPR's Here & Now , Slate , Family Circle , and the London Times, who has deemed her “Japan’s preeminent guru of tidiness, a warrior princess in the war on clutter.”.

Packed with easy-to-follow instructions and helpful tips for recreating Catherine's stunning looks, you can create one-of-a-kind nail art designs without ever stepping inside a nail salon. I was amazed by how many nail art designs were included in the book. If you love looking at nail or if you love doing your nails, then you will love this book as much as I do.... Whether you're a beginner or someone who wants to explore more nail designs, this book is for YOU!"

Alongside Meg Wolitzer, John Turturro, Tig Notaro, and Hasan Minhaj, readers will encounter: an astronomer gazing at the surface of Pluto for the first time, an Afghan refugee learning how much her father sacrificed to save their family, a hip-hop star coming to terms with being a “one-hit wonder,” a young female spy risking everything as part of Churchill’s “secret army” during World War II, and more. They are stories that attest to the startling varieties and travails of human experience, and the shared threads of love, loss, fear and kindness that connect us." Translated to the page, this book…really becomes an incredible syllabus of vulnerability, one that invites you to cherry pick and re-read stories as you need them.” — Goop (16 Great Reads for the Summer). Each juxtaposes sensational stories by famous names...with those by relatively unknown storytellers, whose narratives, quite often, deliver the biggest emotional punches.” — Megan Labrise, Kirkus Reviews. “ All These Wonders is a journey through the mysteries of the unexpected.... Every tale is its own surprising glimpse into the human story.” — Mary Elizabeth Williams , Salon "The Moth's 20-year retrospective contains all the hope, sadness, triumphs, and tribulations that have defined the pioneering live reading series since its modest debut in 1997.... The Moth is a celebration of both the raconteur, who breathes fire into true tales of ordinary life, and the storytelling novice, who has lived through something extraordinary and yearns to share it.

In fact, that's the single biggest reason that there are so many remodeling horror stories. You will learn how to identify and select the perfect professional remodeler for your project, save thousands of dollars in the process, and preserve your sanity too. Everything needed for a successful professional remodeling experience is inside! Jannine Wooten - Real Estate Investor, Remodeler "Spend a few dollars on this book, there's a good chance you will get it back 100-fold." Ray Brehm - #1 Bestselling Author & Entrpreneur "Molinelli's enthusiasm for the subject shines through on every page of this invaluable guide, and it's quite infectious."

The playscript for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was originally released as a 'special rehearsal edition' alongside the opening of Jack Thorne's play in London's West End in summer 2016. When Albus hatches a plot to go back in time to save the life of Cedric Diggory—what Albus views as the biggest mistake his father made—time becomes distorted and Harry is left to examine his own life, his relationship with his son, and how love can sometimes be much more complicated than it seems. This is an interesting extension of the "Harry Potter" universe, but readers should go into it knowing that it's its own beast. Rowling didn't write it (much to the fury and vitriol of many fans), and it is in script form, so it loses some of the magic that won over millions of readers back when it all began.

Seabrook takes us into a strange and surprising world, full of unexpected and vivid characters, as he traces the growth of this new approach to hit-making from its obscure origins in early 1990s Sweden to its dominance of today's Billboard charts. The stories of artists like Katy Perry, Britney Spears, and Rihanna, as well as expert songsmiths like Max Martin, Stargate, Ester Dean, and Dr. Luke, The Song Machine shows what life is like in an industry that has been catastrophically disrupted—spurring innovation, competition, intense greed, and seductive new products. John Seabrook combines a love of music and an appreciation for personalities to take us on a starry journey from Stockholm and London to New York and Orlando showing how creativity gets discovered, polished, and packaged. -- Walter Isaacson, author of 'The Innovators' and 'Steve Jobs'. "In The Song Machine, John Seabrook tells of a cutthroat and fascinating industry, where readers discover the gifted musical maestros who orchestrate hit after hit but rarely get their name in print. John Seabrook has a marvelous ear for language - and perfect pitch when it comes to music journalism."

With an insider’s passion, Misty opens a window into the life of an artist who lives life center stage, from behind the scenes at her first classes to her triumphant roles in some of the world’s most iconic ballets. An unexpected page-turner...Her story is an inspiration to anyone—man or woman, black or white—who has ever chased a dream against the odds, and the grace with which she triumphs is an example for us all. (Booklist (starred review)). Engaging... [Copeland is] a poised, intelligent writer whose temperament—disciplined, determined, driven—gives the book a special spark… In LIFE IN MOTION, she looks back on the past without bitterness or anger, only gratitude. Hers is an out-of-the-ordinary story about defying stereotypes, and she shares it in an inspiring narrative that’s enlivened by her own grace and generous spirit. Instead of rags to riches, Copeland goes from baggy shorts to leotards as she navigates the whitewashed world of ballet. An unexpected page-turner...Her story is an inspiration to anyone—man or woman, black or white—who has ever chased a dream against the odds, and the grace with which she triumphs is an example for us all. Engaging... [Copeland is] a poised, intelligent writer whose temperament—disciplined, determined, driven—gives the book a special spark… In LIFE IN MOTION, she looks back on the past without bitterness or anger, only gratitude. Hers is an out-of-the-ordinary story about defying stereotypes, and she shares it in an inspiring narrative that’s enlivened by her own grace and generous spirit. Misty Copeland, a ballerina of extraordinary talent and charisma, offers an autobiography as mesmeric as her dancing. She overcame adversity in the studio, in her home life, and in ballet's own traditionalism to become one of its brightest stars — her passion and perseverance will inspire dancers and non-dancers alike. [Misty Copeland's] book is a breezy read for such deep subject matter, but her beautiful and prevailing spirit shines through on every page. Instead of rags to riches, Copeland goes from baggy shorts to leotards as she navigates the whitewashed world of ballet. Reading her memoir...it becomes even more apparent how this 31-year-old woman has parlayed her natural talent along with an uber intense discipline, passion and focus, into a stellar career. She is the Jackie Robinson of the ballet world, and a true role model for an entire generation of new ballerinas. Written naturally, modestly, and conversationally...[readers will] feel her triumphs and tragedies, wincing whenever she falls and cheering her on every time she gets back up….Brava, Misty. Told in graceful prose...[Copeland's] achievements will encourage all those attempting to beat the odds in competitive fields. But when a teacher encouraged 13-year-old Misty to take ballet at the Boys and Girls Club of Los Angeles, she discovered a hidden talent. Her natural flexibility and grace had her on pointe within two months, something other ballerinas work years to achieve. She speaks with candor about having to lose her luscious curves and cover herself with white makeup to look more acceptable on stage, but she never places blame on those who asked her to do so. Her story is an inspiration to anyone—man or woman, black or white—who has ever chased a dream against the odds, and the grace with which she triumphs is an example for us all.

How to Draw Cool Stuff shows simple step-by-step illustrations that make it easy for anyone to draw cool stuff with precision and confidence. It will be really useful during drawing sessions to guide students in a very practical and methodical way. Some of the ideas given are fun and unique and it is also a stress-free way of learning which makes it very useful guide for those who enjoy drawing and also for those who are trying to get into drawing."

500+ ORIGINAL PICTURES. NO STOCK PHOTOS. Many pictures include links to the full-size image so you can zoom in to see every pixel. First, beginner photographers will master: * Composition. * Exposure. * Shutter speed. * Aperture. * Depth-of-field (blurring the background). * ISO. * Natural light. * Flash. * Troubleshooting blurry, dark, and bad pictures. * Pet photography. * Wildlife photography (mammals, birds, insects, fish, and more). * Sunrises and sunsets. * Landscapes. * Cityscapes. * Flowers. * Forests, waterfalls, and rivers. * Night photography. * Fireworks. * Raw files. * HDR. * Macro/close-up photography. Advanced photographers can skip forward to learn the pro’s secrets for: * Posing men and women. including corrective posing (checklists provided). * Portraits (candid, casual, formal, and underwater). * Group photos. * Remotely triggering flashes. * Using bounce flash and flash modifiers. * Using studio lighting on any budget. * Building a temporary or permanent studio at home. * Shooting your first wedding. * High speed photography. * Location scouting/finding the best spots and times. * Planning shoots around the sun and moon. * Star trails (via long exposure and image stacking). * Light painting. * Eliminating noise. * Focus stacking for infinite depth-of-field. * Underwater photography. * Getting close to wildlife. * Using electronic shutter triggers. -- Philip Greenspun "Amazon" Award-winning author and photographer Tony Northrup has published more than 30 how-to books and sold more than a million copies around the world.