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'I am an artist. Even to write it makes me feel deeply uneasy.'

Renowned American artist Anne Truitt kept this illuminating and inspiring journal between 1974-8, determined to come to terms with the forces that shaped her art and life.

She recalls her childhood on the eastern shore of Maryland, her career change from psychology to art, and her path to a sculptural practice that would 'set colour free in three dimensions'. She reflects on the generous advice of other artists, watches her own daughters' journey into motherhood, meditates on criticism and solitude, and struggles to find the way to express her vision.

Resonant and true, encouraging and revelatory, Anne Truitt guides herself - and her readers - through a life in which domestic activities and the needs of children and friends are constantly juxtaposed against the world of colour and abstract geometry to which she is drawn in her art.

Beautifully written and a rare window on the workings of a creative mind, Daybook showcases an extraordinary artist whose insights generously and succinctly illuminate the artistic process.

'Truitt wrote as she sculpted, returning to the past again and again to find fresh truths.' The New Yorker

'This miracle of a book will inspire artists for generations to come.' Celia Paul
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No other art movement in history has contained two artists as different as Magritte and Miró. This is because Surrealism was not in origin an art movement, but a philosophical strategy. It was a way of life - a rebellion against the establishment that had given the world the hideous slaughter of the First World War. Instead of trying to analyse the work of the Surrealists, bestselling author and Surrealist artist Desmond Morris concentrates on them as people - as remarkable individuals. What were their personalities, their predilections, their character strengths and flaws? Did they enjoy a social life or were they loners? Were they bold eccentrics or timid recluses?

Drawing on the author's personal knowledge of the Surrealists, this book captures their life histories, idiosyncrasies and often-complex love lives, vividly illustrated with images of the artists and their works. The arts of Surrealism were both spectacular and international, shaped by the darkest, most irrational workings of the unconscious. Shocking, witty and always entertaining, Morris's tales illuminate the striking variation in approaches to the Surrealist philosophy, both in the artists' work and in their lives.

With 72 illustrations

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Unpack the powerful visual symbols artists have used throughout history.

From a single flower to a carefully placed skull, works of art across history are filled with symbols that carry powerful meanings. The Symbols of Art reveals how artists use these symbols to communicate ideas without relying on words.

Why is there a lily in that religious painting? Why does a still life include an hourglass, a mirror, or a piece of fruit? In some cases, these symbols would have been immediately understood by contemporary viewers but now need decoding for a modern audience. In other instances, symbolism is more deliberately elusive, inviting viewers to look closer and think deeper.

This richly illustrated visual reference includes:

Over 100 key symbols drawn from art history
Symbols from the natural world, the manmade world, the supernatural, and colors and shapes
Famous artworks used as case studies to show symbolism in context
How meanings change across cultures, movements, and centuries
An easy-to-navigate, fully indexed structure designed for quick consultation as well as browsing

Bringing together examples from across periods, cultures, and artistic movements, art historian Susie Hodge explains how symbolic meanings can shift depending on time, place, and intention, revealing layers of interpretation that radically deepen our understanding of artworks.

Clearly organized and expertly written, The Symbols of Art is both an authoritative reference and an inviting guide for curious readers.

Whether you're visiting a gallery, studying art history, or simply want to see artworks with fresh eyes, this book gives you the tools to decode visual meaning and experience art more deeply.

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The Letters Of Vincent Van Gogh

by Vincent Van Gogh & Ronald De Leeuw (editor) & Arnold J. Pomerans (translator)