Paul J. Stankard: Homage to Nature (Hardcover)

by Ulysses Grant Dietz (Author), John Bigelow Taylor (Photographer) "A Day in the Studio with Paul It is a typical July day in southern New Jersey: hot, humid, an intermittent breeze serving only to..." (more)
Key Phrases: initial cane, cloistered botanical, other glass artists, Diorio Collection, Belkin Collection, New Jersey (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Paul Stankard, Homage to Nature

In Paul Stankard, Homage to Nature, decorative arts curator Ulysses Grant Dietz writes with east and affection about this gregarious, immensely talented artist. With background in technical glassmaking, Stankard began crating his first paperweights in 1971; by the end of that decade he has become nationally known. Today his work is in the collections of such museums as The Corning Museum of Glass, The Art Institute of Chicago, and others. More than 180 photographs by fine arts photographer John Bigelow Taylor display close to 200 paperweights and botanicals made by Paul Stankard. Also included are photographs showing the actual preparation and assembly of the flowers, root people, and insects encased in glass. No other glass art book has ever shown a glass artist’s process of creation as it is depicted here. Collectors of glass and beautiful object will be dazzled and moved the by artistry and appreciation Paul Stankard brings to natural art forms. 160 pages, full color. Hardcover.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Harry N Abrams, Incorporated (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810944731
• ISBN-13: 978-0810944732
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #763,666 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally! How does he do that?, June 9, 2000

By A Customer

While I wouldn't consider myself a "paperweight" fan, I admire Paul Stankard's work immensely.

For so long I've wondered, "how does he accomplish such wonderful things?". This book cannot show his unique genius nor how his imagination works, but it does show just enough of his techniques to sate my never ending curiosity.

You can see how a thistle is built. There are gorgeous pictures of how a glass bee is build and attached to a honey comb. Here are the dragonflies, the orchids and those amazing root people!

The book is filled with full color pictures, and many wonderful detail views. In Paul Stankard's case, "God is in the details".

I admired Paul Stankard's work before I read this book. I admire his ability ever so much more now that I've seen the immesurable detail that goes into each piece.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you like paperweights - BUY THIS BOOK!, January 4, 2000

By	Brad Shute (Andover, NY) - See all my reviews

Filled with beautifully detailed photographs of Paul Stankard's paperweights as well as excellent closeups of the making of his flowers and other paperweight inclusions. It also includes an interesting background on Paul's career and philosophy, but the multitude of wonderful color photographs of his extraordinary work are what make this book truly special.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Creative Candy, March 15, 2004

By	GaCatLady "blazinghussy" - See all my reviews

What a gorgeous book. I've recently become involved in hotglass work myself and picked this book up out of curiousity. Not only is the book full of beautiful pictures and prose but the author also allows us a peek into Paul's techniques, which for me, is incredibly helpful and well worth the price of the book.

Even though it made me late I had to stop and soak in every page from start to finish as soon as I got it in the mail. I think at just about every page a smiling, "Oh my god!" came bounding out of my lips in admiration for this man's extreme talent.

Most of my art books end up on my studio shelf, but this one is so gorgeous and such a joy to view I think I'm going to make it a permanent fixture on the coffee table.