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The Art of Wonder: Inspiration, Creativity, and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts

On the occasion of its 100th anniversary in 2015, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts asked some of the finest writers, photographers, and illustrators working today to muse about art—the nature of creativity and wonder. No instructions. No rules. The MIA commissioned these imaginative works not as a celebration of itself but of art as inspiration—an anthology of wonder.

The contributors rose to the challenge with fiction, essays, photojournalism, and illustrated stories, by turns delightful and reflective, a contemporary argument for art’s ongoing vitality. Interspersed in the book are personal reflections from the museum’s own director, curators, and staff on beloved artworks in its collection.


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The Best of Quilting Arts: Your Ultimate Resource for Art Quilt Techniques and Inspiration

Celebrate the first 10 years of the groundbreaking Quilting Arts magazine with The Best of Quilting Arts, a collection of the best articles, projects, and techniques.

Pokey Bolton, founder of Quilting Arts magazine, has compiled the most popular articles that have inspired quilters and artists alike to move beyond the basics of art quilting and re-explore machine and hand stitching, fabric embellishment, surface design, and more.

Inside you’ll find:Quilt art techniques from fabric collage and applique to resist dyeing, stamping, and foiling.Machine-stitching and thread-painting tips and tutorials from award-winning art quilters.Ideas and advice for the professional quilt artist.An array of binding and stitching techniques to make your art quilt stand out.Methods for making realistic representational art quilts, including portraits of pets and people. Whether you’re making your first art quilt or are a seasoned quilt artist eager to enhance your designs, you’ll find endless instruction and inspiration in The Best of Quilting Arts.

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Inspirations, Visions and Traditions in Fiber Arts

Inspirations, Visions, and Traditions in Fiber Arts is a glance into a modern-day group of African American quilters and dollmakers who have joined together to create and enjoy Fiber Arts. This collection of beautiful quilts and dolls will lead you to turn page after page as you share the vision these artists have brought to fruition. Their personal stories will enable you to understand their fiery passion for the art. Because local guilds did not seem to understand the Black perspective, The African American Quilt and Doll Guild became a safe place for artists to freely express themselves and incorporate the history and stories stored in the hearts of African American fiber artists. They found the freedom to incorporate a different perspective of color, design and African Art in quilts. They have also used that same love of color to create Black cloth dolls that reflect the Black experiences in their lives and those of their families. The African American Quilt and Doll Guild and its’ Storyteller members, honor Africans and African Americans by telling the history through quilts and dolls. The artistic images will grab your attention and a knowing smile will grace your lips when you sit back, relax and enjoy the craftsmanship of the artists.

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Martial Arts Wisdom: Quotes, Maxims, and Stories for Martial Artists and Warriors

Martial Arts Wisdom is the most extensive quote book on the market for martial artists, warriors, law enforcement officers, and military personnel. It contains over 800 quotes, maxims, and stories, compiled specifically for martial artists and warriors. Never before has any one book contained such an amazing amount of wisdom from so many different martial arts masters, sages & enlightened teachers! The wisdom contained in Martial Arts Wisdom will guide you on your martial arts path and will teach you valuable lessons about the martial arts, self-defense, and living life to the fullest with honor, character, integrity, and gusto. Every single quote and story in this book of wisdom will open your eyes to important aspects of living the warrior lifestyle, practicing martial arts, learning real self-defense, and living life to the fullest. Read the philosophy of the warrior lifestyle straight from the martial arts masters themselves and learn life lessons from many of the wisest men and women to have ever lived. Martial Arts Wisdom is sure to motivate, inspire, and enlighten you on your path as a martial artist and a warrior. Martial Arts Wisdom is a MUST READ for every martial artist and every warrior, and is a great addition to any martial arts library.