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Summary: Not just for the artist.
Review: My friend who was an artist gave me this book to read. Now it is one of the few that I carry around at all times. Robert Henri saw that there is no division between art and life. To be an artist, or trully alive for that matter, one has to experience life to his fullest. This means finding yourself and the people/things/and way of living that inspire you. When beauty strikes you so, and your full of love and joy it is hard not to do things beautifully. Henri tells us to find that beauty within us and the rest will follow. And one of the most enjoying things I found about this book was that the authors personality is very bright in every sentence. It made the book a great read. To enjoy this book, you need not to know art but to know life.
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Summary: The most important book in Amercan art education
Review: Robert Henri was the most influential art educator in american history. This book describes the psyche and impetus common to american artists more succinctly than any other writing of the 20th century. In a time where art education has become stagnant and bankrupt, The Art Spirit is still as applicable now as during Henri's lifetime.
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Summary: Joyful, Sensible, Essential
Review: Saying that this book is merely great somehow falls short of telling the full story. You see, this book is utterly essential--essential, that is, if you have any desire to glimpse the real meaning of what art is and how it comes to be. This book is joyful, yet completely sensible; spiritual yet fully earthbound. Though nearly a century old, every word in The Art Spirit is relevant today, perhaps more so than ever! I have bought several copies of this book and make a practice of loaning them out when finished, asking each "borrower" to pass it along rather than return it to me. A book like this should never sit closed on a shelf.
Rating:
Summary: Joyful, Sensible, Essential
Review: Saying that this book is merely great somehow falls short of telling the full story. You see, this book is utterly essential--essential, that is, if you have any desire to glimpse the real meaning of what art is and how it comes to be. This book is joyful, yet completely sensible; spiritual yet fully earthbound. Though nearly a century old, every word in The Art Spirit is relevant today, perhaps more so than ever! I have bought several copies of this book and make a practice of loaning them out when finished, asking each "borrower" to pass it along rather than return it to me. A book like this should never sit closed on a shelf.
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Summary: Transcends any sort of Categorical Boundary
Review: This book came recommended to me by my professor of theatre design at NYU. He said, in so many words. "I don't want you to read it cover to cover. Keep it on your toilet and just open to random pages when you get the urge."One of the most fantastic qualities of Henri's book (which, by the way, is a series of quips and longer anecdotes recorded in print by Henri's students) is that it's non-linear structure allows you to do precisely that- open it to wherever you want and begin. The genius and omniscience of Henri's words saturate this book to make it not only timeless and relevant, but also convenient. Certainly this book is a must for any artist, visual or not, but Henri's wisdom can be applied to anyone who is literate and breathes. To quote: "If you want to know how to do a thing you must first have a complete desire to do that thing. Then go to kindred spirits-others who have wanted to do that thing- and study their ways and means, learn from their successes and failures and add your quota. Thus you may acquire from the experience of the race." (55) Follow Henri's advice- read the book and add your quota.
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Summary: Essential reading for any student of the arts
Review: This book is probably more geared towards high school students or recent college freshmen - still it's an amazing account of a brilliant teacher and artist's love of painting and the arts
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Summary: A must read for any artist or inspiring artist!
Review: This is a book of notes, articles, letters and student instruction from the teacher himself (not any ordinary teacher, mind you) about the concept and technique of picture making, the study of art generally and on appreciation. This is an easy read; one that can be read a bit at a time at leisure. It felt like a visit with an old friend. Full of inspiration and a touch of philosophy here and there, it brings it all together. I quote just this once from Mr. Henri: "Art appreciation, like love, cannot be done by proxy: It is a very personal affair and is necessary to each individual." He is giving advice here on not following the critics! I include this to give the reader the "flavor" of the book. I feel this book is a must read for any artist...and a wonderful re-read, over and over again!
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Summary: Truly Uplifting! --- Sends your own art spirit soaring!
Review: Within his treatise on art and its many facets, well-known artist and teacher Robert Henri shares insight on the making and viewing of art. He offers insight on areas which all artists must eventually come to terms with, including proportion, technique, color, style, and subject matter. He discloses a lifetime of his personal "life-lessons" about his own art and his personal struggles as an artist, and he shares honestly the perils and triumphs of both he and his students. In a mere moment the reader learns lessons about art and its making which take artists years to learn. This book is a joy in every sense of the word -- from Henri's suggestions on rendering light reflecting from a woman's lower lip to his secrets to making a portrait "glow". Henri's The Art Spirit is a must-read for any reader interested in any aspect of art. ---- A classic.
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