Pictorialism emerged in the early twentieth century as a prominent style of fine art photography. Artists engaged in this style were interested in the effects of transient light and Japanese compositional elements. They developed innovative darkroom techniques to create unique soft-focus photographs that reflected contemporary painting styles. Historically, pictorial photography was narrowly defined by certain characteristics that gave an inaccurate assessment of its important contributions to the medium. Recent rediscoveries from American regional camera clubs, including the Seattle Camera Club (SCC), reveal that the movement was broader and more individualist than previously thought. Shadows of a Fleeting World provides a rare glimpse into the regional Pictorialist movement. It documents the lives and artistic accomplishments of the SCC photographers. The SCC was one of the most active and successful in the United States, and, fortunately, preservation of its works and history allow for a rich interpretation of its art. Japanese immigrants formed the club's core, and their work routinely blended Pictorialist methods with Japanese aesthetic traditions. The Japanese-influenced Pictorialist works of the SCC made a unique contribution to the international art movement. The book is generously illustrated with images and prints from SCC artists, many of which have never been published before.

Shadows of a Fleeting World: Pictorial Photography and the Seattle Camera Club (Scott and Laurie Oki Series in Asian American Studies)

Arts & Photography

David F. Martin

Bromberg, Nicolette

Photography & Video

University of Washington Press

One of the state's oldest arts organizations, Women Painters of Washington was founded in 1930 with the aim of overcoming limitations faced by women artists. Over its 75-year history, the group has counted among its members talented artists of national prominence whose stories have not been widely shared, until now. From founding members' early efforts to support fellow women artists, to contemporary members' cultural exchanges and international exhibitions, David F. Martin tells the story of Women Painters of Washington. He examines members' artistic achievements and the recognition they received in the national and international art worlds. In addition, a selection of works by current WPW members demonstrates the organization's continued vitality. Abundant color plates clearly illustrate the talent and innovation of these artists.

An Enduring Legacy: Women Painters of Washington, 1930-2005

History & Criticism

Women Painters of Washington

During 2014-2015, Northwest Watercolor Society celebrates its 75th anniversary. The society has attracted many of the most accomplished regional watercolorists as members and exhibitors, and is one of the earliest and most successful continuing arts organizations in the history of Washington State. A Fluid Tradition: Northwest Watercolor Society . . . The First 75 Years – richly illustrated with color reproductions and artist biographies – reestablishes the reputations of many early society members while giving a glimpse of rare works by some of today's leading regional artists. The annuals for the society were sponsored by the Seattle Art Museum for over thirty years and many members were honored with solo exhibitions at the museum during that time. As Seattle grew, several members created many of the region's most iconic cultural images. Northwest Watercolor Society continues to be a leading force in national watercolor competitions. This book is the first in-depth account of its important historic contributions to regional and national culture.

A Fluid Tradition: Northwest Watercolor Society, The First 75 Years

Northwest Watercolor Society

One of the most innovative Northwest artists of her time, Virna Haffer was an internationally recognized and respected Tacoma photographer who has slipped from both regional and national art history books. In a career spanning more than six decades, Haffer found success as a photographer, printmaker, painter, musician, sculptor, and published writer, though she is primarily known as a photographer. Self-taught, she began her ambitious career in the early 1920s, both running a successful portrait studio and also exhibiting her unique artistic images around the world. Margaret E. Bullock, curator of collections and special exhibitions at Tacoma Art Museum, art historian Christina S. Henderson, and independent curator and gallery owner David F. Martin examined more than 30,000 of Virna Haffer's photographic negatives, prints, and woodblocks at the Washington State Historical Society and Tacoma Public Library's Special Collections were examined to create this book.

A Turbulent Lens: The Photographic Art of Virna Haffer

Bullock, Margaret

Henderson, Christina

Tacoma Art Museum

Austere Beauty is the first major survey of Vanessa Helder’s life and artistic career. Born in Washington State, Helder (1904–1968) began her artistic training at the University of Washington and then relocated to New York to study at the Art Students League. She then returned to Washington to work for the WPA Federal Art Project at the Spokane Art Center. In 1943 she relocated to Los Angeles, where she became deeply involved in the local art scene and the California Watercolor Society, for the remainder of her career. Helder’s exhibition history encompassed not only regional museums and galleries but also stretched throughout the country, most notably her inclusion in the American Realists and Magic Realists exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in 1943. Her career spanned several periods of major change in American art, from the advent of modernism in the early part of the 20th century to the rise of abstraction in the post-war years. Her unique personal style was a hybrid of traditional and modern ideas -- she worked primarily in watercolor, creating works that radiate clear color and showing a rare talent for tightly controlling a medium known for its fluidity and soft, blurry line.

Austere Beauty: The Art of Z. Vanessa Helder

Humor & Entertainment

Talk a Lot is a new three-level conversation series for young adult and adult learners of the English language. Understanding that speaking is often the most daunting aspect of acquiring a language, Talk a Lot has been carefully constructed to ease students into each topic before they begin speaking. Topics are fun and stimulating as well as being engaging and relevant to the learners. Group and pair-work encourage lively student interaction and ensures that every student is involved.  Talk a Lot takes students from intermediate to upper-intermediate level, building their abillity and confidence step by step. Students using this series will be sure to talk a lot! Key Features Distinctive elements of real-life spoken English used and explained  Model dialogs help students see language in contextUseful vocabulary introduced in each unit  Brief and clear grammar points introduced with useful examples  Listening exercises present key words and practical phrases  Reading and writing sections help consolidate key skills  Fun games and activities engage students of all levels  Bright and appealing photographs and illustrations stimulate learning  Interesting topics promote open-ended discussions

Talk a Lot 1, w/Listening Transcripts and Audio CD (conversation series that takes young adult learners from intermediate to upper-intermediate level)

Compass-Publishing

Talk a Lot is a new three-level conversation series for young adult and adult learners of the English language. Understanding that speaking is often the most daunting aspect of acquiring a language, Talk a Lot has been carefully constructed to ease students into each topic before they begin speaking. Topics are fun and stimulating as well as being engaging and relevant to the learners. Group and pair-work encourage lively student interaction and ensures that every student is involved. Talk a Lot takes students from intermediate to upper-intermediate level, building their abillity and confidence step by step. Students using this series will be sure to talk a lot! Key FeaturesDistinctive elements of real-life spoken English used and explained Model dialogs help students see language in contextUseful vocabulary introduced in each unit Brief and clear grammar points introduced with useful examples Listening exercises present key words and practical phrases Reading and writing sections help consolidate key skills Fun games and activities engage students of all levels Bright and appealing photographs and illustrations stimulate learning Interesting topics promote open-ended discussions

Talk a Lot 2, w/Listening Transcripts and Audio CD (conversation series that takes young adult learners from intermediate to upper-intermediate level)

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Books by David F. Martin