Landscape Meditations [Paperback]

Elizabeth Mowry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2005

Landscape Meditations examines the process of capturing a sense of place through a series of views of a single landscape subject, like Van Gogh did with sunflowers or Monet did with haystacks and cathedrals. Topics explored include using mist, wildflowers, the beach, fields, trees, and roads and pathways. Each of these topics begins with a brief introduction to the specific theme, followed by paintings that show the progression of the idea being explored. A concluding discussion provides artists with further thoughts about how the theme might apply to their work.



• For landscape painters at all levels of ability and in all painting mediums

• From the author of The Poetic Landscape (0-8230-4067-4), which has sold more than 16,000 copies, and The Pastelist's Year (0-8230-3935-8), which has sold 10,000 copies

• Includes the work of such landscape masters as Camille Corot, Martin Johnson Heade, and George Juness

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Mowry addresses both specific and general themes in landscape paintings, and fills a niche by emphasizing series paintings within that genre. Commitment is key, she says, noting that the endeavor to understand nature, or at least a part of it, is implicit in painting landscapes, which can be a form of meditation. Just as meditation leads to an uncluttered mind, the artist can move beyond rendering the subject and begin to paint ideas about the subject, reaching for the essence, or "core of place." Claude Monet was the first to restrict an exhibit of his work to a single series of 15 works, the Poplars, and to stir interest in thematic series painting, that is, explorations of such subjects as wildflowers, mists and hazes, and roads, paths, and waterfalls as metaphors for life. Thoughtfully written with spare but far-reaching text, and generously illustrated throughout with full-color reproductions of Mowry's and others' work, this contemplative how-to reminds artists that "seeing cannot be forced. It happens when we are ready." Whitney Scott
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Elizabeth Mowry is a Master Pastelist of the Pastel Society of America and a Distinguished Pastelist of the Pastel Society of the West Coast. She taught at the Woodstock School of Art in New York for 14 years and now teaches master classes in foreign countries. She is the author of The Poetic Landscape (0-8230-4067-4) and The Pastelist's Year (0-8230-3935-8), which has sold 10,000 copies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill (March 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823026027
• ISBN-13: 978-0823026029
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 0.4 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #152,681 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > Arts & Photography > Painting > Still Life
  • #32 in Books > Arts & Photography > Painting > Landscape

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring, magical book!, July 27, 2008

By 

Elizabeth Lane "desert rat" (Las Cruces, NM) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Landscape Meditations (Paperback)

When you are weary from toiling over your masterpiece, you must grab this book by Elizabeth Mowry, curl up in your favorite spot and just enjoy this wonderful book. The author & artist wants you to get involved with your painting and learn to FEEL what your eyes see, so that what you put on paper is part of yourself. It's your story, your vision of life. Ms. Mowry is a very talented artist who shares with the reader her thoughts & ideas that went into the many beautiful paintings she rendered in pastels & some in oils. The book is so beautifully done, with many, many beautiful landscapes she painted during her travels all over the world and her narrative about her travels and her personal thoughts about the many scenes she painted, that I didn't realize until I got well into the book that she was also giving the reader many valuable lessons in such things as structure of a painting, light source, theme painting, & individualizing one's work. Wow, what a book. It's a joy.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Elizabeth Mowrey's "Landscape Meditations", February 1, 2009

By 

J. David McNeely - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Landscape Meditations (Paperback)

It was my privilege to recently obtain a copy of Elizabeth Mowrey's latest book, "Landscape Meditations." I thorougly enjoyed her two earlier books and eagerly looked forward to receiving this one. I was not disappointed! This is not a "how to" or a "look what I did" book. As in her earlier books, she teaches us more of a philosophical even spiritual approach to artistic expression. To those of us that can't approach her talent, she lets us glimpse how a true artist thinks. I especially appreciated her sense of place in her paintings which to me is akin to the writings of Wendell Berry. Her writing and, of course, her wonderful oil pastels are good for the soul.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Permission, December 2, 2010

By 

A. Tabor "lady arlene" (Jacksonville FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Landscape Meditations (Paperback)

Landscape Meditations
Landscape meditations is by far one of the best books I have ever read on being an Artist! In my, almost 70, years as an artist I have struggled with my eccentricities. For years I have been looking at a dead tree in a field off a busy hi-way. Elizabeth Mowry has given me "permission" to do what I should have done long ago, pull of the road and get some pix of it!!! In my case just a bit to late. The tree had finally fallen over so all I have is memories, but thats O.K. too, Now I have two, starting a third painting of that tree that I have pulled out of my mind. She has helped me realize that I am an "CRAZY" artist and that's just what I am supposed to be. Move out of the way world cause here I come. I am a MUCH better artist because of this book. It is beyond must have, it is essential!