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soupisreading's review
4.0
*An Advance Reader’s Copy was provided by Edelweiss in return for an honest review.
4.5 STARS
Stepping into the space of the artist was an intimate experience. One that I had the opportunity to visit through this book.
I think I’m a nosy person who enjoys seeing the way people live, the idea that their lives are so different to mine... and through this book, I was able to read about 17 homes of various artists across different eras from a time and country that I do not know much about.
While it sounds like a history lesson, it felt as if I was reading about what home meant to each of the artist. It wasn’t much about the aesthetics of the home or the interior, but the memories, experiences and stages of life. It sheds a new light on the artist, less about their achievements and legacy, but more of how their art reflected in the place they live, their surroundings, and how their lives reflect on their art. It also extends to how the artist shares art with their surroundings, inviting friends to their homes for a meal, to stay and to paint.
While I loved the unique approach of illustrations that (in the author’s words) “immerses readers in the atmosphere of each artist's home more than photos ever could,” I find myself searching the houses on Google since the watercolour paintings did not provide the impact I wished it gave. Perhaps, a small photo could’ve been included, since not many of us will have the opportunities to ever visit these homes. I really don’t think a painting could satisfy my curiousity, but if I had seen the homes, then the paintings would be a memorable keepsake.
In the book, the chapters of Hassan Hajjaj, Louise Bourgeois, Vincent Van Gogh, Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner’s houses were my favourite. I also loved how the author explained the way these houses inspire a multi-sensory approach to her interior design decisions, which also inspire me to think about my own.
4.5 STARS
Stepping into the space of the artist was an intimate experience. One that I had the opportunity to visit through this book.
I think I’m a nosy person who enjoys seeing the way people live, the idea that their lives are so different to mine... and through this book, I was able to read about 17 homes of various artists across different eras from a time and country that I do not know much about.
While it sounds like a history lesson, it felt as if I was reading about what home meant to each of the artist. It wasn’t much about the aesthetics of the home or the interior, but the memories, experiences and stages of life. It sheds a new light on the artist, less about their achievements and legacy, but more of how their art reflected in the place they live, their surroundings, and how their lives reflect on their art. It also extends to how the artist shares art with their surroundings, inviting friends to their homes for a meal, to stay and to paint.
While I loved the unique approach of illustrations that (in the author’s words) “immerses readers in the atmosphere of each artist's home more than photos ever could,” I find myself searching the houses on Google since the watercolour paintings did not provide the impact I wished it gave. Perhaps, a small photo could’ve been included, since not many of us will have the opportunities to ever visit these homes. I really don’t think a painting could satisfy my curiousity, but if I had seen the homes, then the paintings would be a memorable keepsake.
In the book, the chapters of Hassan Hajjaj, Louise Bourgeois, Vincent Van Gogh, Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner’s houses were my favourite. I also loved how the author explained the way these houses inspire a multi-sensory approach to her interior design decisions, which also inspire me to think about my own.
annieb123's review
4.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Artists in Residence is a simply and colorfully painted book with scenes and vignettes from 15 famous residences of 17 famous artists. Due out 2nd Feb 2021 from Chronicle Books, it's 144 pages and will be available in hardcover format.
There really is a nice cross section of short bios and glimpses in this collection of artists. There are no photographs, it's all painted sketches and contextual tidbits about the lifestyles and residences of artists from Monet and Matisse, Frida Kahlo (and Diego Rivera), to Van Gogh, and Basquiat. I had never really thought holistically about their works partially being a product of the places they lived and their home lives.
I especially enjoyed reading about Georgia O'Keeffe's simple life and serenity/escape in her kitchen. Somehow I had never really thought of her as particularly domestic or at home outside her own emotional strength and self reliance and the description of the scope, simplicity, and efficiency of her food growing and self-sufficiency gave me a deeper understanding of her life and maybe her art.
The illustrations are simple, in gouache and watercolor, as well as clear and appealing. There are a number of profound takeaways from the artist/authors' introduction which invite reflection and thought.
This is a really well presented and appealing book. I would recommend it unhesitatingly to students of art, art history, biography, interior decor, painting, and allied subjects. This short volume would make a good selection for library acquisition, as well as an appropriate choice for an artist's studio library.
Very well done. Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Artists in Residence is a simply and colorfully painted book with scenes and vignettes from 15 famous residences of 17 famous artists. Due out 2nd Feb 2021 from Chronicle Books, it's 144 pages and will be available in hardcover format.
There really is a nice cross section of short bios and glimpses in this collection of artists. There are no photographs, it's all painted sketches and contextual tidbits about the lifestyles and residences of artists from Monet and Matisse, Frida Kahlo (and Diego Rivera), to Van Gogh, and Basquiat. I had never really thought holistically about their works partially being a product of the places they lived and their home lives.
I especially enjoyed reading about Georgia O'Keeffe's simple life and serenity/escape in her kitchen. Somehow I had never really thought of her as particularly domestic or at home outside her own emotional strength and self reliance and the description of the scope, simplicity, and efficiency of her food growing and self-sufficiency gave me a deeper understanding of her life and maybe her art.
The illustrations are simple, in gouache and watercolor, as well as clear and appealing. There are a number of profound takeaways from the artist/authors' introduction which invite reflection and thought.
This is a really well presented and appealing book. I would recommend it unhesitatingly to students of art, art history, biography, interior decor, painting, and allied subjects. This short volume would make a good selection for library acquisition, as well as an appropriate choice for an artist's studio library.
Very well done. Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
bookwoman37's review
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
This is a beautiful book to look at. The illustrations perfectly capture the artists homes. The essays explain how their homes inspired their art. I liked the selection of artists and was familiar with many of them. At the end of the book the author shows how to make your home more creative. The book was well written and easy to read. Enjoy
sjwilliams's review
3.0
This was a quick read. Cozy and sweet but not particularly informative. I loved the illustrations but ended up looking for photos of the homes being described.
maryreadstoomuch's review
4.0
Artists in Residence is a lovely coffee table book that examines the home spaces of seventeen artists and how these spaces relate to their work and life. Rather than showing photographs of the residences, the book contains beautiful illustrations of the spaces by co-author Kate Lewis. The illustrations were a nice touch to pull together the artists across time period and nationality. I appreciated the diversity of artists featured - the book covers Georgia O'Keeffe, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Claude Monet, and Frida Kahlo, just to name a few.
For each story, the authors hone in certain aspects of the artist's space - it was interesting to see how some artists viewed their homes as refuges from their art, while others saw the home as another studio space. As mentioned in the blurb, this book is accessible to the non-expert reader in describing each artist's work. In fact, I found that I wanted more information about each artist, as well as a more substantial conclusion section to tie everything together. That being said, this book is a nice introduction to the homes of multiple famous artists, and it may motivate the reader to take a more detailed look at a favorite artist or two.
Thank you to Chronicle Books for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
For each story, the authors hone in certain aspects of the artist's space - it was interesting to see how some artists viewed their homes as refuges from their art, while others saw the home as another studio space. As mentioned in the blurb, this book is accessible to the non-expert reader in describing each artist's work. In fact, I found that I wanted more information about each artist, as well as a more substantial conclusion section to tie everything together. That being said, this book is a nice introduction to the homes of multiple famous artists, and it may motivate the reader to take a more detailed look at a favorite artist or two.
Thank you to Chronicle Books for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
shereadsontrains's review
4.0
Beautifully illustrated with fascinating tidbits about 17 artists lives and homes. An intimate portrait into the importance of space to the creative process.
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