Beast-The Collected Works of John Banovich: Beast [Hardcover]

John Banovich (Author), David Cabela (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 9, 2009

BEAST is the first book to be published on the life and works of John Banovich. This beautifully designed and executed volume is both a powerful presentation of his accumulated work and an inspiring story of his struggles, dead-ends, heartbreaks and ultimate triumphs

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: Banovich Fine Art Publishing (October 9, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0981976107
• ISBN-13: 978-0981976105
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 14.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #986,748 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW, May 19, 2010

By 

David Duncan - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beast-The Collected Works of John Banovich: Beast (Hardcover)

Incredible artwork. The most detailed and realistic wildlife art I have ever seen. Beautiful natural settings, exquisite animal likeness... and all on canvas. Absolutely sensational, absolutely the best!

PLUS an interesting look into John Banovich's life... the athlete, the global conservationist, the artist's beginning and his family. I still cannot quite get my mind around the idea of John as a "body builder"... you have to see the picture. Great stuff!

Even if I cannot afford a canvas rendition, I can still enjoy Banovich's awesome art through BEAST.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beast by John Bandvich, February 6, 2010

By 

Nora E. Campbell - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beast-The Collected Works of John Banovich: Beast (Hardcover)

I took a workshop from John a few years ago. He is somebody I respect as a artist - and a person. I have been in Africa a couple of times and his art work comes to life. I am so glad to buy his book - it doesn't disappoint!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent Collection of Wildlife Paintings!, October 14, 2010

By 

Michael OConnor "Wordsmith" (Wausau, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beast-The Collected Works of John Banovich: Beast (Hardcover)

Wow! And Double Wow!! Having never sampled the incredibly lifelike and wonderfully atmospheric wildlife paintings done by this artist, I was blown away by BEAST, THE COLLECTED WORKS ON JOHN BANOVICH! This man's work has to be seen to be believed. Whether you're a nature lover or a lover of fine art, you owe it to yourself to hunt up a copy of BEAST.

Self-published by the artist, BEAST features 112 Banovich paintings, 43 sketches showing his artwork in progress and 72 photographs; some 264 pages of world-class artwork in all. Banovich works in a variety of formats, large canvases that can range up to 48x115" and smaller artworks 10x15", 12x17", etc. which he terms "Zawadis," which is Swahili for "precious gifts." The paintings and accompanying commentary are divided into chapters that detail Banovich's life and career chronologically, i.e. '1965-89: The Early Years,' '1990-95: The Dark Continent,' '2000: The Road Less Travelled,' '2001: Searching for Shere Khan' and so on.

Though I detect a partiality for lions and tigers, Banovich's artworks feature hyenas, elephants, gazelles, whitetail deer, leopards, polar bears, grizzlies, flamingos, rhinos, hippos, antelope, wolves, zebras, etc. What is so striking is not only his ability to capture the animals so realistically - for a moment, I thought 'White Wallow' was a photograph(!) - but his facility to capture the essence of each subject. For instance, the Cape Buffalo in 'Slightly Shady' glares at the viewer with an unmistakeable "Don't mess with me" menace. Another painting, 'Spring Loaded,' perfectly captures a stalking lion's total focus and rigid muscular control. His settings and backgrounds are equally well-done. And it struck me that, although the artworks depicted "wildlife in the raw," most of them conveyed a feeling of tranquility.

Banovich's narrative was wonderfully informative. His devotion to and love of nature is everywhere evident in his words. It's also refreshing that a sly sense of humor is evident. His powerful depiction of two male hippos bellowing and postering is entitled '104th Congress,' a delicious dig at politicians.

If possible, I'd give BEAST six stars. To begin with, Banovich's superb, compelling and evocative artwork is wonderfully presented in the book. Then too, the accompanying narrative allows the reader a rare, up-close-and-personal look of a great talent - and dedicated conservationist - at work. BEAST sells for $69.95; it's worth every penny! Highly recommended.