Lark Ceramic Books 500 Series

500 Figures in Clay: Ceramic Artists Celebrate the Human Form

It's an absolutely unequalled photographic gallery: no other book has ever presented such a varied, captivating collection of contemporary ceramics based on the human form. The works range from representational to abstract, from artful realism to provocative surrealism, and many of them come from leaders in the field such as Judy Fox, Kurt Weiser, and Andy Nasisse. Kay Yourist has produced female forms that are smooth, minimalist vessels with only the slightest hint of breasts and belly. The simple, rounded features of Diane Lublinski's black-and-white figures possess a fun, clown-like whimsy. Michael A. Prather's mournful ceramic portraits have frowning faces and pointed dunce-like heads in a muted color palette. Many of the ceramics come with detail images and illuminating artist's commentary.

500 Bowls: Contemporary Explorations of a Timeless Design

Five hundred inspiring variations on the simple, functional bowl will fire any potter's imagination. Displayed on each page are bowls that reinvent and reinterpret the form, and use techniques from across the globe and through the centuries. More importantly, every piece, such as Kate Maury's wheel-thrown porcelain, Stephen F. Fabrico's slab-built bowl with handles, and Ruchika Madan's stoneware Fruit Bowl, testifies to the artist's boundless inventiveness. Captions give each bowl's size, with details on its material and glazes.

500 Glass Objects: A Celebration of Functional & Sculptural Glass

Including flame worked goblets, cast vases, and blown cups, this work presents 500 pieces of handmade glass objects from top artisans worldwide.

500 Pitchers: Contemporary Expressions of Classical Form

Presents a collection of ceramic pitchers. This work offers 500 images that include almost everything from handbuilt to wheel-thrown, practical to sculptural, round to square.

500 Plates & Chargers: Innovative Expressions of Function & Style

Plates and chargers can serve as more than just places to put your food: they can be glorious art to show off on a table, sideboard, or hutch. These 500 spectacular pieces chosen by esteemed juror Linda Arbuckle range from the utilitarian yet beautifully glazed plate to dramatically decorated work, and they're crafted from a remarkable variety of materials—including pristine porcelain and bold earthenware. Nick Joerling's stoneware is the perfect canvas for a design: vigorous brush strokes set in wax resist race across its attractive surface. Kelly McKibben's hand-built Going for a Stroll showcases delicately inlaid and silk-screened images. The stunning gallery provides a unique and wide-ranging snapshot of contemporary ceramic arts.

500 Animals in Clay: Contemporary Expressions of Animal Form

No other volume has ever presented such a diverse and captivating collection of contemporary animal-themed ceramics. Juried by distinguished artist and educator Joe Bova, this magnificent gallery includes pieces from an international group of artists; the beautifully crafted works range from the representational to the abstract, from artful realism to provocative surrealism (including animal-human hybrids). Ann Marais' image of a waterfowl painted onto a porcelain dish has a restrained, Asian quality. Sharkus' painted and smoke-fired stoneware turtle could easily be mistaken for the living creature. Bova provides astute and illuminating commentary overall, with selected artists' notes.

500 Teapots: Contemporary Explorations of a Timeless Design

It's a fabulous source book with 500 of the most creative teapots ever. From handbuilt to wheel-thrown, functional to sculptural, traditional to funky, there's a bit of everything in this artistic celebration. Some find inspiration in classic Asian designs. Others take a figurative approach. Still more look to the natural world. Browse through a variety of surface treatments, from intricate carved forms to narrative painted patterns.

500 Tiles: An Inspiring Collection of International Work

From press-molded pieces to carved works showcasing spectacular surface treatments, these magnificent tiles will inspire beginners and professionals, as well as collectors and enthusiasts. Some of the larger handcrafted displays here were made to decorate public and private spaces; others use single tiles to interpret nature, tell a story, or make a bold cultural observation. As always in this acclaimed series, all the contributors are accomplished artists, renowned in the field. Mary Lynn Buss creates the ultimate kitchen backsplash: a field of mosaic-tiled long-necked irises. Peter King and his wife and working partner Xinia Marín fashion large, expressively rendered, and sculptural installations. And Melody Ellis's low-relief earthenware tiles pack intriguing narratives into every tile.

500 Cups: Ceramic Explorations of Utility & Grace

In the hands of an expert ceramist, the once-simple cup can become an extraordinary work of art—as these 500 magnificent examples so beautifully prove. The exciting pieces come from an international array of artists, each with a unique perspective. The stylishly varied collection has a little bit of everything: the cups range from handbuilt to wheel-thrown, practical to sculptural, round to square. Benjamin Schulman's “Stacked Teacup Set” takes a strictly functional approach, while Heather O'Brien's “Dessert Cups on Stand” focuses on aesthetic form rather than usefulness. Annette Gates' “Espresso Shot Cups with Rubies” has a surface design of simple abstract lines and dots of glaze and jewels. Some are whimsical, others starkly conceptual. Every one is a treat for the eye.

500 Vases: Contemporary Explorations of a Timeless Form

Form, function, beauty: vases are versatile and flexible, and beloved by potters for the variety of techniques, ideas, and aesthetics they embrace. 500 Vases is the tenth book devoted to ceramics in the popular series, and a welcome addition. It showcases the finest contemporary work from international artists, capturing the full spectrum of styles, each potter's original voice, and whenever possible, close-up details that truly capture the surface quality of the piece.