As we leave March behind us, here is a varied selection of inspiration to keep you busy. The colder weather is knocking at the door so why not begin a quick drawing practise, or discover Aotearoa’s own print making legacy all from the comfort of your own cosy nook.

15-minute art drawing / Smith, Jessica
“How do you find time in your busy day to get creative? Why, with 15-minute Art Drawing, of course!” (Catalogue)

All the beauty in the world : the Metropolitan Museum of Art and me / Bringley, Patrick
“Only a few select people enjoy unrestricted access to every nook and cranny of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and among them are the guards who keep a watchful eye on the two-million-square-foot treasure house. . Here he explores his tribe: the artworks and their creators and the subculture of museum guards. Though Bringley gradually returned to the larger world, here he explores the Museum’s hidden wonders– and the people who make it tick.”– Adapted from jacket” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Blk art : the audacious legacy of Black artists and models in Western art / Ware, Zaria
“A fun and fact-filled introduction to the dismissed Black art masters and models who shook up the world. Elegant. Refined. Exclusionary. Interrupted. The foundations of the fine art world are shaking.  From the hushed corridors of royal palaces to the bustling streets of 1920s Paris–this is Black history like never seen before.”– Publisher marketing.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Design happy : colorful homes for the modern family / Wentz, Betsy
“In her first book, interior designer Betsy Wentz shares 13 fabulous family homes. The book is really a practical design guide for anyone who may not want–or simply cannot afford–to hire an interior designer. The story of each home includes color studies, design lessons, and pro tips, plus plenty of practical advice for anyone who might face similar challenges.”–Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

Ink on paper : Aotearoa New Zealand printmakers of the modern era / Vangioni, P. J.
“Revolutionised by the introduction of the linocut, early to mid twentieth-century printmaking is one of the most progressive and dynamic periods in Aotearoa New Zealand’s art history. This exquisitely illustrated book features ambitious and delightful etchings, lithographs, wood-engravings and linocuts by some of the country’s finest artists. Highlights: Engaging introduction to the establishment of printmaking in Aotearoa by Peter Vangioni; Short biographical texts on each artist; Full page colour illustrations of more than 100 artworks; Etchings, lithographs, wood-engravings and linocuts drawn from collections around the country; Beautifully designed hardcover book with dust jacket and marker ribbon”–Publisher description.” (Catalogue)

Kintsugi : the wabi sabi art of Japanese ceramic repair / Mochinaga, Kaori
“Kintsugi is the mindful Japanese art of repairing broken ceramics and glassware by appreciating the cracks and chips as design elements–bringing new life to cherished items. Kintsugi:The Wabi Sabi Art of Japanese Ceramic Repair shares traditional methods you can practice in your own home. Step-by-step lessons in repairs suited to every level of experiences–filling cracks to completely rebuilding and finishing a broken piece–fill the pages of this in-depth yet unintimidating guide.” (Catalogue)