Mixed Media Color Studio by Kellee Wynne Conrad

Mixed Media Color Studio
by Kellee Wynne Conrad

ISBN-13: 9781631599965
Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Quarry Books
Released: August 24th 2021

Source: review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Based on Kellee Wynne Conrad's popular former online True Colors Art Program, the lessons in Mixed Media Color Studio include color explorations designed to strengthen skills and confidence. You’ll learn how to develop your own unique style using acrylic paint, pastels, graphite, ink, and more. See how to mix colors to make signature palettes and get inspired to try new, exciting combinations of colors, materials, and methods that will take your artwork and imagination further.

The imaginative projects include expert information on how to work with colors to evoke moods, emotions, and energy for dynamic landscapes, calming seascapes, vibrant abstract florals, layered architectural pieces, and much more. Discover easy techniques that add texture, details, and interest to your artwork.


My Review:
Mixed Media Color Studio explores color theory while creating abstract, mixed media art. The author started by briefly covering tools and materials, the basic terms and ideas of color theory, and how to create a unique, signature color palette. She prefers using primary cyan, magenta, and yellow but did cover other combinations (some of which weren't really primary colors). She then had a series of step-by-step projects that explored color theory: making a color wheel using primary colors, acrylic painting with complementary colors, high-key/low-key schemes, grays and browns, contrasts, and then green, blue, orange, purple, red, black, and finally yellow as a focal color.

The painting was done in acrylic with inks, graphite, and pastels used along with other mixed media elements to create the finished project. The steps were more about explaining the actions and intent of each step rather than detailing how to make an exact replica of her painting. There were useful pictures illustrating each step. This book will appeal to abstract, mixed media artists who want to explore color theory.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Lymph & Longevity by Gerald Lemole

Lymph & Longevity
by Gerald Lemole

ISBN-13: 9781982180256
Hardcover: 160 pages
Publisher: Scribner
Released: October 5th 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Learn how you can boost your immune system and help prevent virtually every major medical condition—including cancer, heart disease, neurological disorders, GI issues, and obesity—by keeping your lymph system healthy, as explained by renowned cardiologist Gerald Lemole.

The lymphatic system serves as our body’s maintenance department and has a direct effect on our cardiovascular, neurological, and immune systems. At last, renowned cardiothoracic surgeon and pioneer in the study of lymph Gerald Lemole explains in straightforward language why the lymphatic system is the key factor in longevity and disease prevention, and how improving lymphatic flow can help our bodies eliminate the toxins and waste products that contribute to injury, inflammation, and disease.

In ten short chapters he demystifies the lymphatic system, describes how powerful it is, and shows how to maintain a healthy lymph system to combat specific diseases and health problems—from heart disease to cognitive function to weight management. Featuring sidebars with charts and graphs that illustrate basic principles, The Healing Power of Flow also includes flow-friendly menus, recipes, and information on supplements, as well as basic yoga and meditation guides.


My Review:
Lymph & Longevity is an overview of how the lymphatic system works, why good lymph flow is important to long-term health, and ways to get your lymph moving. He talked about using food, supplements, exercise, and different relaxation techniques to help improve lymph flow. He even included recipes and described a yoga-pose sequence for improving lymph flow. He initially talked about how poor lymph flow can cause chronic health problems, like heart and brain problems. He didn't get very technical, and it's written in a conversation tone that's easy to read and understand. Overall, I'd recommend this book to those who don't know much about the lymphatic system and why it's important.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Encyclopedia of the Ordinary Things by Stepanka Sekaninova

Encyclopedia of the Ordinary Things
by Stepanka Sekaninova

ISBN-13: 9788000061283
Hardcover: 96 pages
Publisher: Albatros Media
Released: October 5th 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
We use them daily, pass them by, and it never occurs to us to stop and think about where they came from. Shoes, umbrellas, toothbrushes, toothpicks, socks, dolls, and so on and so forth. How did they come to be? Who invented them? How did they develop and change over time?


My Review:
Encyclopedia of the Ordinary Things is about the history of ten common items and is targeted at ages 6-12 years old. The author covered skates, umbrellas, glasses, dolls, perfume, horse toys, toilets, toothbrushes, beds, and tights. Each item had several pages describing how the item changed throughout history and appeared in different cultures. It's not a lot of information, though, since illustrations took up half of the page space. These illustrations were stylistic rather than highly accurate. Each section concluded with two pages of related items, usually focusing on the inventor of the item (Velcro, zippers, skies, etc.). These were very brief so that several items would fit on each page.

I was disappointed that the author put in speculation when I would have preferred facts. For example, when explaining: "The soles of some prehistoric shoes were made from bear skin....Our ancestors believed that bear skin would give them the strength of the feared animal and protect them." How do we know what they believed? We don't. Prehistory means they didn't leave writing saying this. It's just a guess. I felt like it was misleading to call this book an encyclopedia due to how few items were covered, the speculation included, and the stylistic illustrations. The items weren't even listed in alphabetical order. If you just want a brief overview on these objects, though, it did have some interesting trivia.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.