Name of book:  Fruit Watching
Author: Masao Saito
ISBN: 4-7661-0402-1
General topic: Illustration of Fruits and Vegetables
Review: This book is out of print but if you can find it in a used book store or on the internet you will be lucky.  I’ve seen this book on the internet book stores from $150.00-$399.00.  80 pages and 230 full color illustration 80 types of fruit and 40 types of vegetables illustrated to perfection. Before painting each piece of fruit and vegetable Saito eats it to reconfirm the taste and texture.  An interesting history and evolvement accompany each illustration.

Book:  Dutch Flower Painting 1600-1720
Author:  Paul Taylor
ISBN:  0-300-05390-8
General Topic:  Dutch Flower Painting

Review:  Paul Taylor’s book reveals the fascinating origins and growth of a wholegenre of painting that has rarely been studied in the past.  Taylor’s book begins with discussing Holland’s ‘tulipomania’ and how people thought about floral still life.  He discusses the association between religion and flowers, exploring how religious writers spoke of flowers as moral signposts from God and how some of the flower paintings were meant to remind viewers of the transience of earthly existence. Taylor examines the paintings, tracing the development and refinement of flower painting.  A book you will read many, many times.

Puzzle clue: 23rd., 47th, 81st.= E

Title: Jacob Van Ruisdael
Author: Seymour Slive
ISBN: 1903973244
General Topic:  Landscape

Ruisdael is the greatest master of landscape painting and he concentrates on incredible detail. His style makes you fall in love with the land. If you love landscape painting you will be truly inspired because of the reverance that this artist shows the land. The visual textures that are displayed in the cloud formations, trees and foliage, not to mentioned the atmospheric mood, are inspiring for any landscape artist.