The Artist's Eye. - book review

Arts & Activities, April, 2002 by Jerome J. Hausman

THE ARTIST'S EYE (2001; $19.95), by Harriet Shorr. Watson-Guptill Publications, 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003.

This is a very personal book written by an artist. The strength of the book can be found in the many still-life images that comprise the artist's work. The author is a professor of painting at the State University of New York at Purchase. The works shown are not "conventional still-life paintings"; rather, they are of the color field genre. As the artist put it: "My eye sees shapes, colors and tones. My mind knows that these shapes are objects and surfaces with around and between them," (p. 13).

The book is organized using three major themes: perception and conception; style and subject; and meaning and metaphor. This is not a "how to do it" book. Yet, it might well serve to give encouragement and direction for painting students at all levels. In this publication, an artist has told of her own perceptions and discoveries. It may well be inspirational for teachers and students to approach their work with a newfound openness and understanding. --J.J.H. For information about this publication, circle No. 393 on the Reader Service Card.