Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/43043
play in your free time Art Throb The urban jungle by Pete Lundberg We Wisconsinites are blessed with many things—ample green space being one of them. While we have plenty of room to stretch our legs, most of us love a big city. I especially appreciate the vitality of the urban landscape when it is captured on canvas. The cityscape as an art form is as old as cities themselves, but the manner and methods of its portrayal have changed over the centuries. The city was merely part of the back- ground of early paintings, and really did not become a focal point until the 17th century. It wasn't until the advent of Impressionism in the second half of the 19th century that cities (particularly Paris) became a popular subject. Today these canvases give us a wonderful peek at an ex- citing era. American artists, many who studied in Paris, first captured the idealized city of their impressionist mentors before depict- ing the plaintive, even seedier side of urban life. As Edward Hopper demonstrates in his famous diner scene "Nighthawks," higher density living can also foster a lonely life. Whether you travel this fall to a large me- tropolis, or simply enjoy our wonderfully livable city, think about your urban envi- ronment, catch the nuances, and use all of your senses to appreciate each landscape for what it is. Pete Lundberg is not only an art lover but owner of Janus Galleries in Madison. Book Club 100 Years of Fashion Illustration By Cally Beackman Boasting page after page of design sketches spanning several decades, this illustrated history of fashion is like eye candy for both the fashionista and art lover alike. Published by Laurence King Publishing, $40 50 Fashion Designers You Should Know By Simone Werle An insightful and fascinating look at the history of design, this coffee table- worthy tome showcases the industry's greatest designers alongside photos of their noteworthy works. Published by Prestel, $20 Oh No She Didn't: The Top 100 Style Mistakes Women Make and How to Avoid Them By Clinton Kelly Humorous and fun, this guide by Clinton Kelly of TLC's "What Not to Wear" offers a perspective your girlfriends might not—telling you when you're making fashion blunders and how you can fix them. Published by Gallery Books, $26 Top left: Vivid colors and shapes help build a fascinating patchwork in this towering homage to the urban jungle. Left: Lamar Stravinsky employs classic impressionism in his portrayals of cities. This gem celebrates the dichotomy of serene parkland in the middle of a bustling city. Above: A master of the night scene, artist Hall Groat II searched the streets of New York for fitting subjects. This lively oil of Harlem's Apollo Theater proves a dark painting can be filled with life. Happening this month: For the crafty: The Glitter Workshop on Madison's near west side offers Tuesday Make & Take events. Check in each week for a new drop-in project to tackle along- side great company; glitterworkshop.com. For the design inclined: Monona Terrace begins its annual Wright Design Series (formerly the Wright Lecture Series) on Sept. 15 with the local designers of Design Concepts offering a look at how designers create the products that change the way we live, work and play; mononaterrace.com. 70 BRAVA Magazine September 2011 Parisian Chic: A Style Guide By Ines de la Fressange with Sophie Gachet Part guide, part inspiration and part insiders look at French style, this handy read will have you ready to walk the streets of Paris dressed like a local. Published by Flammarion, $30 Style up your bookshelf with these fashionable reads