Tag: art books

Review of Getting Your Magic Back by Jules Gissler

Susan B

Just as the very brief book description says, “Getting Your Magic Back is a kick-ass gift book about pushing forward through life’s transitions.” In fact, the one-sentence tagline doesn’t do this book the justice it deserves.

I wanted to know a bit about the author and her reason behind writing the book. So, Jules, if you’re reading this, share your backstory – I’m nosy and love hearing personal stories from other authors.

In any event, this book starts out on a kind of low, but fortunately ends on a positive high. Clearly, the author knows about pain. Who doesn’t, right? Told in rhyme, in the author’s own handwriting (love that!), the book talks about struggles and overcoming them to get your magic back.

The colors are vibrant and lovely. The book is sturdy and certainly worthy of gift giving. Basically, I loved it and found it to be a perfect little gem of a book! Thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of Getting Your Magic Back!

5 of 5 Stars, Review by Susan Barton

Review of Peoplescapes by Nancy Calef

Susan B


When I first received my copy of Peoplescapes, My Story From Purging To Painting,  I was struck by the expressive, colorful painting on the cover. Nancy Calef certainly chose one of her more provocative works to represent what was inside the pages of this charming and heartfelt book.Peoplescapes by Nancy Calef

I was immediately drawn into the author’s tales of her atypical and often dysfunctional childhood. The modeling industry is a world where the sexualization of women and girls is still very much prevalent, and it was somewhat shocking to find out that Nancy’s own mother was the one pushing her in this direction. Far from a typical stage mother (or maybe not that far?), Esther was often eccentric and a bit odd.

As often is the case with girls who are made to rely more on looks rather than any other asset, Nancy soon fell into the world of anorexia and bulimia. Yet, rather than bemoan her unconventional upbringing, battle with eating disorders and life with stage mom, Esther, Nancy found a more productive outlet in her artwork. Peoplescapes also includes some of Ms. Calef’s  personal travel stories (depicted with additional artwork), which I found quite interesting as well.

I enjoyed Peoplescapes. I absolutely love Nancy’s artwork. She’s clearly a talented contemporary artist. While I would like to have read more about her battle with eating disorders, that certainly didn’t take away from the book. Nancy Calef is proof that we can all overcome life’s difficulties and turn negative experiences into positive creativity. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about triumph over adversity, and finding ones’ own creative path and purpose.

5 of 5 Stars, Review by Susan Barton