Central Kansas Library System

What did Maya Angelou do to keep the words flowing? What is a NASA engineer's lucky charm? How does Thom Yorke prep for a concert? This book bottles the singular recipes for success of leading creatives, politicians, scientists, and athletes who made their own luck. Revealing an array of unique practices from quirky superstitions to preperformance rituals, this visual compendium celebrates in text and charming illustrated portraits the real personalities,...

Vincent van Gogh was a restless soul. He spent his twenties searching for a vocation and once he had determined to become an artist, he remained a traveller, always seeking fresh places for the inspiration and opportunities he needed to create his work. Living with Vincent van Gogh tells the story of the great artist's life through the lens of the places where he lived and worked, including Amsterdam, London, Paris and Provence, and examines the...

Richard Thompson is renowned among cartoonists as an "artist's" cartoonist. Little known to all but those close to him is the extent of his art talent. This is the book that will enlighten the rest of us and delight us with the sheer beauty of his work. Divided into six sections, each beginning with an introductory conversation between Thompson and six well-known peers, including Bill Watterson, the book will present Thompson's illustration work,...

"From Selfies to Satire" by Aaron Vick is an extraordinary digital art collection that delves deep into the fusion of technology and personal expression. Each artwork, available exclusively on the Tezos blockchain, represents Vick's innovative use of AI and post-editing techniques to transform personal selfies into thought-provoking pieces. These artworks are not mere visual spectacles; they carry a profound satirical commentary on modern digital...

Art has always reflected society with all its intricacies-culture, victories, fears, and ineffable joys. And now, here we stand, presenting to you the book "Be Art World." This book is our way of preserving moments, transforming memories into inspiration, and granting each reader the opportunity to sense the spirit of our time. Within the pages of this book, you'll have the chance to relive the incredible moments as we created exhibitions and contests,...

Antoine Watteau (1684-1721) epitomises the grace, intelligence, and poetry of the eighteenth century, a period when French tastes reigned supreme throughout Europe. He is renowned as a pivotal figure in Rococo art. Watteau excels in depicting scenes of daily life and theatrical costumes. His work, while highly stylised, reveals an undercurrent of melancholy beneath its apparent frivolity. It captures profound emotions, hinting at love that transcends...

"El crítico como artista", de Oscar Wilde, es una exploración elocuente y sugerente de la naturaleza de la crítica y del papel del crítico en el ámbito artístico. Wilde cuestiona las nociones convencionales de la crítica y defiende la importancia de la interpretación subjetiva y el individualismo en la apreciación del arte. El autor profundiza en la idea de que el verdadero crítico es, de hecho, un artista por derecho propio, que contribuye...

Jean-Honoré Fragonard (1732-1806) punctuates the eighteenth century with a burst of fireworks, closing the arc opened by Watteau with his enchanting poems of love and melancholy. While Watteau was ethereal and profound, Fragonard was delightfully light. He captivates us even as he amuses himself, his emotional distance ever apparent. Specialising in "fêtes galantes" executed in the Rococo style, Fragonard was a pupil of François Boucher and also...

L'oeuvre du Russe Nicolas Roerich (1874-1947) est marquée par ses nombreux voyages à travers l'Europe, l'Amérique et l'Asie, notamment l'Inde. Il a puisé dans ses pérégrinations une inspiration empreinte d'un certain mysticisme. Ainsi, ce passionné d'archéologie s'est plu à représenter l'origine du monde telle que la voient les grands mythes sacrés et profanes. Il a peint, dessiné et sculpté. La diversité de son oeuvre se retrouve dans...

We can't be good all the time, and no one knows it better than Anne Taintor. This generous collection of her most popular artwork includes more than 150 images in categories such as friendship (a real friend will help you hide the body), motherhood (WOW! I get to give birth AND change diapers!), money (screw the budget!), attitude (let a smirk be your umbrella), and more. Also featuring an introduction by Taintor, this hilarious volume perfectly captures...