American painter James McNeill Whistler probably never expected the portrait of his mother that graces the cover of this book to become a cultural icon. Begun on a whim when another model failed to show up for a session, the painting, familiarly known simply as "Whistler’s Mother," has become one of the best known and most beloved in the world and now hangs in the Musee d’Orsay in Paris. Nor, we can be sure, did Anna McNeill Whistler expect that her "cook book" would one day be published and thereby enjoyed by myriad readers beyond her own family. Irreverently referred to by her son as her "Bible," the manuscript book was kept faithfully by Mrs. Whistler of many years and contained recipes for such varied and delectable dishes as bread-and-butter pudding, "oisters," "mackroons," "whigs," quince marmalade, and pickled walnuts. Bequeathed by Whistler’s sister-in-law, along with other books and letters from his estate, to the University of Glasgow, the manuscript has been edited for...

While it is clear that artist Robert Bissell (American, b. England 1952) derives his inspiration from the animal world, his paintings are not simply portraits of bears, rabbits, and other creatures. They are allegories for the challenges and discoveries all living beings encounter on life's journey. Bissell's work is largely informed by the writings of the mythologist Joseph Campbell (American, 19041987), who held that myths from disparate cultures and eras all share fundamental structures. Bissell's reading of Campbell's The Hero with a Thousand Faces initiated his own journey as artist to portray "the callings we have, the quests we undertake, difficulties we share, helping hands that appear out of nowhere (it seems), and finally the elations and conclusions we all have in common." Hero: The Paintings of Robert Bissell is organized according to the construct of Campbell's hero's journey. Each of the 10 chaptersfrom "Genesis" and "Vision" through "Crossing" and "Initiation" to "Return" and "Elixir"presents paintings that interpret these archetypal experiences. Bissell's grand and detailed landscapes provide Edenic stages for each scene in the journey. Carl Little's introduction offers biographical background and explores Bissell's process, motivations, and revelations, and the artist has supplied brief stories for many of the paintings. The path of human experience is joyfully recounted in Hero, illuminated by Bissell's animals, who invite our contemplation as they mirror our own quests, conundrums, and resolutions.

William S. Rice Art and Life is the first retrospective devoted to the artist. Author Ellen Treseder Sexauer, Rices granddaughter, presents a synthesis of scholarly and uniquely personal perspectives, examining the artists development, artistic methods, and private life. Insightful passages from interviews with Roberta Rice Treseder, Rices daughter, and illuminating excerpts from Rices own published articles and books provide an intimate portrait of Rice as artist, naturalist, teacher, writer, and father. More than 300 illustrations convey the mastery of Rices work and the breadth of his achievements.

This book combines two of Gorey's Thoughtful Alphabets (long out of print) in one volume never before published in hardcover. In each, Gorey's twenty-six-word stories (wherein the first word begins with A, the last with Z) weave a tale of suspense and intrigue; the story proceeds as the alphabet progresses. *Gorey's deft and witty use of language is apparent even in these twenty-six-word stories. *The book combines two of Gorey's Thoughtful Alphabets in one volume never before published in hardcover. *A must-have for all Goreyphiles!

An Edward Gorey classic back in print after four decades. Emblus Fingby's life was changed forever with the unexpected arrival of the osbick bird. The two became inseparable companions. Their curious relationship came to an end only with the utmost display of loyalty. In The Osbick Bird, Edward Gorey examines the uncertainties of life with his signature humor and illustrations.