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Chuck Close, Up Close
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This 48-page picture book tells the story of Chuck Close's life as an artist and his struggles -- from overcoming learning disabilities as a child to fighting paralysis as an adult. Close's monumental portraits, interpreted from photographs to reveal the fragments and wholeness of personality, are featured in collections around the world.The publication of Chuck Close:, Up
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Hardcover, 48 pages
Published
March 15th 1998
by DK Publishing (Dorling Kindersley)
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This is a children's picture book explaining the work of Chuck Close and his life. I have heard his name once or twice mentioned in popular culture, but did not really know who he was. Really, it's kind of difficult to know about people whose work was of the post-war era, since they are often not taught about in school. It's pretty interesting to learn about how Close developed his paintings - I wonder if these techniques (such as painting using a grid or painting like a printer would, using blu
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I love this book. Honestly, this book was another deciding factor in my becoming a children's librarian. And, I often think, "if only there had been books like this when I was a kid!"
In picture book format, Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan (who have numerous other phenomenal art books for kids) introduce the reader to artist Chuck Close. It's a fabulous venue for exploring an artist's world and the meaning of portraiture. One of the first works in the book is the artist's ginormous 7x9 foot photo ...more
In picture book format, Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan (who have numerous other phenomenal art books for kids) introduce the reader to artist Chuck Close. It's a fabulous venue for exploring an artist's world and the meaning of portraiture. One of the first works in the book is the artist's ginormous 7x9 foot photo ...more
Another cool, informative book by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan.
Yes, it's a kid's book, but a very cool kid's book.
If you'd like to learn a bit about famous painter Chuck Close, this is a great place to start. The authors interviewed the artist so a lot of the text is in his own words. The book includes many of Close's portraits as well as photographs of the artist at work. His reductive, disciplined process is really fascinating. ...more
Yes, it's a kid's book, but a very cool kid's book.
If you'd like to learn a bit about famous painter Chuck Close, this is a great place to start. The authors interviewed the artist so a lot of the text is in his own words. The book includes many of Close's portraits as well as photographs of the artist at work. His reductive, disciplined process is really fascinating. ...more
My rating reflects the general question that remained in my mind after reading this wonderful book, "Who was this book written for?" Written at a Jr. High level, this picture book was great but it far above the abilities of young children who might pick it up. And High School students will be turned off by the book's large font and children's picture book qualities. Despite those issues, this is an incredible book which I would recommend even to adults interested in learning about famous artists
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Utter brilliance, too much amazing artistry to be confined to one book. I loved the middle portion of the book, the persistence and creativity of the artist, and the inspiration of creating art even after a devastating physical experience. Highly recommend for anyone who has a child 4th grade through high school interested in art. The question and answer section of the book was perfect and the one area of the book I raised my eyebrow at was so quickly and properly addressed I was quite impressed
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This biography picture book is a story of a boy struggling with learning disabilities in a time when they were not recognized then later a physical disability and how he overcame those struggles. Chuck Close became a very successful innovative artist, one who could not see three-dimensional but only things that were flat. To combat this disability he began drawing "heads" by taking a photograph similar to a mugshot letting that be his map. His style was a "concept of self-imposed rules that woul
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This is very short book, but what it has is gold. I read one of my favorite quotes ever in this book.
“I think problem solving is highly overrated. Problem creation is much more interesting. If you want to react personally, you have to move away from other people’s ideas. You have to back yourself into your own corner where no one else’s solutions apply and ask yourself to behave as an individual”. - Chuck Close
“I think problem solving is highly overrated. Problem creation is much more interesting. If you want to react personally, you have to move away from other people’s ideas. You have to back yourself into your own corner where no one else’s solutions apply and ask yourself to behave as an individual”. - Chuck Close
As a kid I always hated that when it came to more complex art they never actually gave much insight on how I could do it. Instead, projects would be included that often did not challenge me enough. This book spoke to the young artist in me and gave me more of a clue of how I could do something like Chuck Close. I know I would have cherished this book as a child and I loved reading it even as an adult.
I loved this biography. It's so easy to read and extremely inspiring. I find it so fascinating how Chuck Close is in a wheelchair and how hard he had to work out so hard so that his muscles would work again; just to get back to painting. His creativity is so unique and he definitely has a story to tell.
I can identify myself with him in many ways. The way he talks about his creativity is exactly how I would talk about mine. I also love all the pictures of his artwork in this book. ...more
I can identify myself with him in many ways. The way he talks about his creativity is exactly how I would talk about mine. I also love all the pictures of his artwork in this book. ...more
This book was written for a Junior-High reading level. There's even a glossary of terms at the end. I didn't know that when I put it on hold at the library, but it was still pretty neat. A nice 20-minute read with big pictures. I propped the book up on my coffee table and looked at the pictures both up close and from a distance.
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Great images of his work in detail. Bio stuff was engaging and well-written. Young adults would like this book, too, because it's short, easy to identify with and the paintings are examined in a really different and unique way (just like the paintings themselves).
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May 23, 2016
Angela
marked it as to-read
Its a great book!
Very interesting, well written book. Good lessons by just relating the artists life.
Mar 10, 2010
Kate
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Gigantic. Smooth surface. Cool. Gray. Precise. Deadpan. Dazed. Quiet. Wordless. Every inch of the face is revealed. You can count the eyelashes. The pupils are larger than Ping-Pong balls.
I only wish this book were longer! What a fascinating guy. Fascinating life. And truly remarkable artist. Cheers to Chuck Close!
Do I really need two Chuck Close books in my school library? When both are amazingly written and designed, yes!
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