For many; Salvador Daliacute; (1904ndash;1989) represents the Surrealist painter par excellence; one whose work explored his own dream life; hallucinations; and fetishes in the process of objectifying the irrational elements of the unconscious. In this rare and important volume; the painter expresses (in his inimitably eccentric fashion) his ideas of what painting should be; expounds on what is good and bad painting; offers opinions on the merits of Vermeer; Picasso; Ceacute;zanne; and other artists; and expresses his thoughts on the history of painting. In a blend of outrageous egotism and unconventional humor; Daliacute; presents 50 "secrets" for mastering the art of painting: "the secret of sleeping while awake;" "the secret of the periods of carnal abstinence and indulgence to be observed by the painter;" "the secret of the painters pointed mustaches;" "the secret of learning to paint before knowing how to draw;" "the secret of the painters marriage;" "the secret of the reason why a great draughtsman should draw while completely naked;" and many other Daliesque prescriptions for artistic success.Illustrated with the artists own drawings; this volume is a fascinating mixture of serious artistic advice; lively personal anecdotes; and academic craftsmanship. It is; according to the San Francisco Chronicle; "in lay-out and clarity of design . . . a remarkable work of art in itself." Especially esteemed for its insights into modern art; 50 Secrets of Magic Craftsmanship is indispensable reading for any student of Surrealism or 20th century painting.
#1368599 in eBooks 2013-06-03 2013-06-03File Name: B00COGXUFU
Review
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful. The Best of EverythingBy Snuggs BrioniWhat becomes a legend most? Who is Brian McCarthy? Having just read the wonderful forward by Bunny Williams - I now know hes a force - a tour de force. I received my copy today from . Mr. McCarthy has produced a stunning book of his work. Each project carefully photographed and his commentary included along the way. Decorators always use too much of the same looks and objets. McCarthy truly adapts to the clients wishes. You can tell. The pages are beautifully produced and the settings are beyond stunning. The best part of all of this is that nobody knows who his clients are. A true artist who carries on the legacy of Albert Hadley. Now - back to my Luminous Interiors and dreaming big.9 of 10 people found the following review helpful. Luminous Interiors: A Very Light ArtBy CorneliaWhy buy a book when you can hire Brian J. McCarthy to give you a taste of the eighteenth century; a segue into Modernism; a look at Neo-Gothic; or a bronze crocodile by Claude LaLanne? This book is to whet the appetites of those that can; and leave the rest of the planet to dream about fabrics; pillows; and the occasional small fluffy white dog; all of which support a vision of living that is grander than most of us; and a good thing for those fed up with minimal chic.McCarthy rightly rejects pseudo-simple; and faux-Soho shabbiness; even if peppered with the occasional Khmer sculpture and Chinese milking stool. Instead; he luxuriates in zebra stripes; gilt mirrors; very expensive paintings; and the best art and craft that money can buy.Hes a king when most nobles hesitate to state their rank.Long live Brian J. McCarthy and his merry clan.11 of 13 people found the following review helpful. Luminous BookBy L. M. KeeferIn the introduction to this stunning book; Bunny Williams recalls how Brian McCarthy became her assistant in 1983: "In the early 1980s; a very tall handsome twenty-three-year-old young man; a recent graduate of design school; applied for a position at Parish Hadley; where I was one of the senior designers. Needing help desperately on my projects; he was given the job of my assistant. His name was Brian McCarthy....within weeks the most beautiful fabrics and trims began to appear in the office after his shopping expeditions."Albert Hadley quickly recognized McCarthys talent; Bunny relates: "Albert Hadley soon saw his amazing potential and took him under his wing to assist him on his projects. This was the beginning; but it was Brians passion for design and all the decorative arts; his passion for architecture and art that has made him the great designer he is today."Although McCarthy initially enrolled at Pratt Institute of Design to study industrial design; he says; "...once I saw what the interior design classes were all about; the prospect of reinventing the electric toothbrush quickly lost its appeal. I became fascinated instead with developing ways of life - of creating original worlds people could inhabit gracefully; in sync with their personalities and needs and; not least; with style."Nine "original worlds" or homes are featured in this book of McCarthys most recent projects which he has decorated over the past six years. As you peruse the pages; you will see that "luminous" is an apt description as the rooms sparkle and shimmer in the reflected light. In one of McCarthys most well-known rooms - a turquoise; ivory and ash brown palette with zebra rug squares in a library - McCarthy put 40 coats of Chinese lacquer on the walls. McCarthy confesses freely to being a perfectionist. One of his distinctive attributes as a designer is that he ensures the envelope of the room - the walls; ceiling and architecture - is perfect. Wall treatments are as important as the furnishings which furnish the rooms.Each chapter highlights a home including:* Urban graphic - a 6000 square foot apartment on Manhattans Upper East Side which Albert Hadley had decorated before.* Classic glamour - white painted brick residence designed by Robert Stern - library has the 90 Chinese turquoise lacquered panels.* The Grand Tour - Atlanta home to resemble a "hotel particuliere" and embrace the Bourbon Kings - McCarthy and owners took 35 trips to Europe to furnish this home.* Seaside Echoes - shingle style home on south shore of Long Island in soft blues - walls echo Monets water lily paintings in muted blue and lilac in dining room and white plaster waves in living space.* Harmonious complexity - McCarthys own 2000-square-foot apartment across from Carnegie Hall in midtown Manhattan ~ one of my favorite rooms is his blue guest room with leopard carpet with a nod to Mme. Castaing.* American splendor - 30;000 sq. foot Louis 16th chateau on Long Islands north shore - check out the Feau Cie crafted mahogany library panels made in Paris with luminous blue ceiling with sunburst in library. McCarthys favorite room in the home is Wedgwood-blue and ivory dining room also by Feau Cie in Louis XVI style with copy of carpet of one at Versailles now at Waddesdon Manor - exquisite!* Tradition Redefined - home on North Shore of Long Island built in 1980s - clients wanted more relaxed style.* Artful Living - cedar home completed in 1938 - furnished in prewar French classics and art that is sexy-glamourous.* Alfalfa House - McCarthy and his partner Dannys own charming home in Ulster County; two hours north of NYC - exterior is humble mid-western Greek Revival style. Lively; personable and comfortable within.The quality of this volume - given McCarthys perfectionism - is perfect; the pages are thick; the color vibrant and true; and the narration articulate and engaging. You will feel luminous after touring McCarthys designs with him.