Paint Yourself Positive


Book Description

Bestselling international author and artist Jean Haines' new book takes readers on an exciting journey through painting. Not just a book for artists, this is for anyone looking for a way of enhancing their life and mood through paint. It's also a way into art for people who have never painted and may even have been told they 'can't paint' at an early age. If you love the idea of sitting down and playing with colour and paint as a distraction from the stresses of modern life, then this is the book for you! All of Jean's books have promoted the life-enhancing effects of painting, and this is especially relevant in Paint Yourself Positive. Whether you can already paint or not, the aim of the book is for you to create in a way that you find pleasing, increases your self-confidence and leaves you feeling energized. Jean will very soon have you wanting to pick up a paintbrush and start to paint - and loving every second of it.




Paint Yourself Positive - Limited Edition


Book Description

Follow renowned author and artist Jean Haines as she leads you on an exciting journey through paint; showing you how to overcome challenges and find a new outlook with each stroke of watercolour paint. This book is a special limited edition hardcover. Bestselling, internationally-renowned artist and author Jean Haines takes you on an exciting journey through painting in her new book. Not just for artists, this book is an avenue into art for people who have never painted and may even have been told they 'can't paint' at an early age, but who love the idea of playing with colour as a distraction from the stresses of modern life. All of Jean's books have promoted the energising and mood-lifting effects of painting, and this aspect of her writing is brought into sharp focus in Paint Yourself Positive. It will encourage the reader to take up painting as a wonderful hobby that can transform your life.




Paint Yourself Calm


Book Description

Discover the happiness benefits of putting brush to paper with a guide that puts judgment aside and “encourages simple enjoyment of painting” (Library Journal). Meditative, peaceful, and calming, watercolour painting offers a sense of control and self-worth to everyone, with no judgment or goal beyond the joy of painting itself. This book shows you how to calm and enhance your outlook through the movement of brush on paper. Master artist Jean Haines leads you through the journey, putting the emphasis on the joy of play rather than on pressure to perform or produce—and showing you how to wipe away your worries with the soothing, gentle strokes of watercolour paint. “Starting from the premise that everyone can paint, Haines frees readers of the goals and expectations of end results, and encourages simple enjoyment of painting. Open-ended, detailed exercises guide readers through experimenting with paint to gain a sense of control; to relieve stress; to escape; or to be in a better mood. The emotional and psychological properties of color are discussed as are obstacles to creativity and happiness. . . . [a] unique blend of self-care and expression.” —Library Journal




A Big Important Art Book (Now with Women)


Book Description

Celebrate 45 women artists, and gain inspiration for your own practice, with this beautiful exploration of contemporary creators from the founder of The Jealous Curator. Walk into any museum, or open any art book, and you'll probably be left wondering: where are all the women artists? A Big Important Art Book (Now with Women) offers an exciting alternative to this male-dominated art world, showcasing the work of dozens of contemporary women artists alongside creative prompts that will bring out the artist in anyone! This beautiful book energizes and empowers women, both artists and amateurs alike, by providing them with projects and galvanizing stories to ignite their creative fires. Each chapter leads with an assignment that taps into the inner artist, pushing the reader to make exciting new work and blaze her own artistic trail. Interviews, images, and stories from contemporary women artists at the top of their game provide added inspiration, and historical spotlights on art "herstory" tie in the work of pioneering women from the past. With a stunning, gift-forward package and just the right amount of pop culture-infused feminism, this book is sure to capture the imaginations of aspiring women artists.




How to Paint Colour & Light in Watercolour


Book Description

A stunningly beautiful book that teaches you how to produce loose and expressive paintings, filled with colour and light.




The Art of Procrastination


Book Description

At last: Self-help for procrastinators. (The secret: acceptance!) Filled with charm, tongue-in-cheek wit, and the insights of a lifelong introspective dawdler, The Art of Procrastination is a philosophical self-help program for every reader who suffers the pangs of being a procrastinator. John Perry celebrates this nearly universal character flaw by pointing out how often procrastinators are, paradoxically, doers. They may not be accomplishing everything on their to-do lists, but that doesn’t make them slackers. It just indicates a need to rethink the to-do list. He also introduces the philosophical notion of akrasia (the mystery of why we often choose to act against our better judgement), examines the torturous relationship between procrastination and perfectionism, and shows how to give yourself permission to do an imperfect but, in fact, perfectly good job. These are strategies—task triage, horizontal organization. Underlying causes—right-parenthesis deficit disorder. Anecdotes and ideas. But above all, an attitude of acceptance. Pat yourself on the back for what you manage to get done—but don’t stop enjoying that time you waste, too. Who knows where daydreams will lead?




A Little Life


Book Description

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A stunning “portrait of the enduring grace of friendship” (NPR) about the families we are born into, and those that we make for ourselves. A masterful depiction of love in the twenty-first century. NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST • MAN BOOKER PRIZE FINALIST • WINNER OF THE KIRKUS PRIZE A Little Life follows four college classmates—broke, adrift, and buoyed only by their friendship and ambition—as they move to New York in search of fame and fortune. While their relationships, which are tinged by addiction, success, and pride, deepen over the decades, the men are held together by their devotion to the brilliant, enigmatic Jude, a man scarred by an unspeakable childhood trauma. A hymn to brotherly bonds and a masterful depiction of love in the twenty-first century, Hanya Yanagihara’s stunning novel is about the families we are born into, and those that we make for ourselves. Look for Hanya Yanagihara’s latest bestselling novel, To Paradise.




Frida Kahlo


Book Description

Through original artwork by the renowned artist Tomie dePaola-a longtime aficionado of Frida Kahlo's work-as well as beautiful reproductions of Kahlo's paintings, this latest Smart About book explores the creative, imaginative world of Mexico's most celebrated female artist.




A Coat of Yellow Paint


Book Description

Life doesn’t come with an instruction book for the role of perfect wife and mother. However, as Love Taza creator Naomi Davis?discovered on her journey from newlywed Juilliard dancer to mother of five, a joyful life is a work of art that only you can create for yourself. When Naomi launched the popular blog Love Taza a decade ago, she had no way of knowing where that first blog post would lead or the millions of lives she’d impact. In A Coat of Yellow Paint, Naomi details an exploration of her faith, personal heartaches, challenges balancing a home life with career, motherhood, and her struggles with infertility. Along the way, Naomi illustrates the urgency of celebrating life’s most important things––family, faith, friendship, and an upright piano painted bright yellow––ignoring the critics. Through stories time-stamped?as intimate and vulnerable essays, Naomi shares life lessons she’s learned, including how to: communicate openly and honestly in your marriage and friendships be confident in the choices you make as a mother--and why you’re more than “just a mom” overcome criticism--including from yourself--on body image, infertility, and doing “enough” make childhood feel magical and seek out adventures with your little ones navigate spiritual upheaval and reclaim your faith find more soulfulness in your social media and online experience If you dream of a life celebrating family, self, and work in a way that feels right for you, A Coat of Yellow Paint will?inspire you to drown out the noise of others’ opinions and expectations--so you can be empowered to love your life.




Acrylic Painting Step by Step


Book Description

Beginners and accomplished artists alike are attracted to the beauty and versatility of acrylic painting. In this comprehensive book, you will find all the instruction and inspiration you need to master the medium or improve your painting skills. Accomplished artist Tom Swimm guides you step by step through 12 stunning acrylic projects, offering easy-to-follow instructions along with his personal artistic insights. Acrylic Painting Step by Step covers dozens of beginning and advanced acrylic techniques, from underpainting and glazing to impasto and texturizing. You will learn to paint a variety of subjects, including a lively floral, a striking still life, an eye-catching street scene, and a gorgeous seascape.