Customer Reviews

Dragon's Dream: Roger Dean

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

It has been many years since I sat with Roger Dean in San Francisco. It was the release of his second oeuvre, Magnetic Storm. Thta book was an amazing work that I felt certain could never be topped............well, I was wrong. This volume, is so full of ideas, text, images, and more, it is scarcely to be contained between it's two covers. It is more than I could have ever expected frankly. It defies words and can only be experienced. So, that being said, get a copy and do so.

This book is a great value. I've owned a few coffee-table art books, & this one is a keeper. Any fan of atmospheric fantasy art depicting nature will appreciate this publication. The price is right, so I purchased two & gave one as a gift to a friend of mine who, like me, is an avid fan of the progressive rock band "Yes". This work details many of Roger's commercial endeavor's in "new media" (computer games) & logos / company branding. Towards the end there's many pages dedicated to his architectural ideas. One thing that struck me was the comment (paraphrased): "If there's a piece that's still in Roger's studio, it is always subject to additional modifications." When this fellow has an idea, it becomes a study that remains a work-in-progress for years . . . often decades. I was struck by the number & complexity of sketches & mock-ups that Roger does as he fleshes out his ideas. When viewing Roger's imaginative landscapes, I often I think to myself "This looks like a very lonely, isolated & perhaps hostile place, but I'd love to take a long vacation there!"

Great addition to the trilogy, # 3 of Rogers works. Wonderful details, captions and illustrations.

I had a book of this guy's art back in the 70's, got it as a present from my brother. Haven't ever seen anything like it before or since - love it.

Since 1973 I have admired Mr. Dean's visionary art. His art has influenced my life in so many ways, I am inspired every time I open one of his books [and I have all of them].

As a nature photographer I use Mr. Dean's work to influence my art. The text that accompanies the illustrations is phenom because it gives us insight into the art and what Mr. Dean was feeling and thinking to produce his art.

The architecture in the villages and hotels is futuristic and provides a sense of the familiar at the same time. Working with the lay of the land the hobbit-like villages is very attractive. The curved spaces feel very safe and secure - even to this 52 year old guy!

Mr. Dean - I live on 20 acres in the middle of a forest reserve - let's create one of your villages here! :-)

I had the great honor to meet Mr. Dean 5 years ago at a Yes concert in Seattle. He was a treat to talk with for a few minutes during the set break. The man is genuine!

Cheers from the Forest!

The review title pretty well sums up my feelings towards this book. Roger Dean fans don't need a review--they will have already purchased it. For those wavering on the edge of Deandom, my advice is simple: buy it! The artwork is gorgeous and evocative. You won't regret it. This retrospective is long overdue.

Having seen Roger Dean's work since High School on album covers (back when we had records, not CDs) such as Yes' Fragile, I bought his first book "Views" as soon as it came out back in '76. I was enthralled with his work, and wore out more than one copy of this book.

I also enjoyed his second book, "Magnetic Storm," but was not as excited by it as the original. Thirty years later comes the release of "Dragon's Dream," and I am just as excited in seeing the evolution of Dean's work, as I was at reading the original "Views."

Roger Dean has evolved form medium sized watercolor paintings to large, sometimes huge, acrylic paintings, but has not strayed from the fantastic imagery that is his trademark. This is not to say he is simply repeating old trick, by any means. While maintaining the other-worldliness of his older work, he has also continued his journey deeper into these worlds, finding new ways to communicate with the viewer. Combined with the larger formats and newer painting techniques, Dean provides us with numerous new images to keep fans enthralled once again. I have been so pleased with this book, and the hardcover format, that I have purchased additional copies for friends I expect will be equally thrilled. As an aside, Mike Kaluta fans will be thrilled to see a couple of pages of his work included, on a project Dean and Kaluta collaborated on.

This book is everything I had hoped for, and I am also thrilled to see that a hardcover re-issue of "Views" is about to be released.

short and sweet: this [long awaited] art book is another great collection of Roger Dean's artwork. for fans of his work, its a must have. also includes many concept and alternate sketches for many of the now famous images. its broken into chapters on his art for videos games, album covers, stage/set design, logos, and a section on visionary organic architecture.

Este libro no está traducido al español; como a todos los que nos gusta la música, Roger Dean es un referente y curiosamente no por ser interprete sino por su arte que complementa la música. Es una pena que no exista en español pero como en general son imagenes, para aquellos que no entienden nada de inglés pueden volar con su imaginación, ah!! y es muy fácil comprarlo...

I have baught all the Dean books over the years,but this one is the best.
The colection of his art from cover to cover is fantastic. If you or someone you know are into Roger Dean you have to get this book.