Testimonials

EVENTS and SERVICES REVIEWS

"Steve Aimone offers the serious artist a way to push oneself past what is comfortable into newer depths of his or her abilities. He does not demonstrate methods, but rather acts as a guide for the artist in finding his own interpretations through structured challenges."
-- Sandra D. Lloyd, Artist and Past President, Florida Watercolor Society

"Steve Aimone’s courses have filled long-neglected areas in our schedule. They have rekindled the creative fire of many of our more advanced artist members."
-- Marlene Veite, Artist and Past President, Artists’ Workshop of New Smyrna Beach

"Steve doesn’t teach “how to”... he teaches “what if.”"
-- Charlene Thomas, Longwood, Florida

"It’s been a life changing experience for me. I see differently. Actually, I see what I’ve always seen, but now I’m more aware of what I see and am ready, able, and excited to act on what I have gained and learned."
-- Heidi Mayfield, Jupiter, Florida

Monhegan Island, Maine Workshop…

"The experience for me, artistically, went beyond any expectations I had going in. By week’s end, the ways in which I was seeing things changed.. The intimacy of the island and the members of the group was simply liberating!"
-- Holly Keller Bernstein, La Jolla, California

"The...five-day artists’ working retreat on Monhegan Island provides the serious artist striving to find or enhance one’s poetic voice with the ideal context for artistic maturation. Monhegan is a tiny island; its village is frozen in time: no MacDonalds, no shopping malls, no tv, no news, no phones to speak of. You are happily insulated from the cruel infringements of daily living on your art. For the entire five days, you are totally immersed in art… you are free for thinking, contemplating, absorbing, experimenting, assimilating and painting."
-- Daniel Wozniak, Ormond Beach, Florida

"I learned that I could respond to the landscape reference, paint landscapes in an abstract manner, and be authentic. I was overwhelmed in a positive way with the shapes that surrounded me – all I had to do was turn my head and there was another painting waiting to be painted. The blank canvas became less intimidating than it had been before."
-- Charlene Thomas, Longwood, Florida

"On Monhegan, its like Mother Nature is in your face. The rocks, the cliffs, the wind, the surf shooting up twenty feet all around you, brings out basic primal urges, fear, awe. It’s a ruch and the paintings reflect it. Now, when I go outside to paint, I feel less like an observer and more a part of nature."
-- Jim Cassidy, Ormond Beach, Florida

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BOOK REVIEWS

DESIGN! A Lively Guide to Design Basics for Artists & Craftspeople, by Steven Aimone

Customer Reviews

A must have reference for any artist., September 20, 2004
"This book is informative and inspirational. Each page was like a light bulb experience. Steven is generous with his knowledge and talent. This book is a great reference for all artists. One of the best books I have bought!"
-- Lynette S. De Kok (Melbourne, Australia)

Praise for DESIGN!, May 12, 2004
"What I noticed first in DESIGN! were the many beautiful color photos of art on virtually every page. As a fiber artist (with works in the book), I especially appreciate how comprehensive the book is in representing all arts and crafts media. The text is thorough, readable, and complete with design exercises. I recommend DESIGN! wholeheartedly to artists, teachers, and any readers who enjoy the visual arts."
-- Renie Breskin Adams (DeKalb, IL USA)

Excellent resource and great looking book!, April 26, 2004
"This book not only looks great, it is beautifully written, full of real information and amazing examples all types of design. I would recomend it highly and have learned much more that I would have imagined. The visuals really cover the gamet, from architecture to haircuts and tons of art and fine craft."
-- A reader, posted on Amazon.com

Met the author - loved the book, March 20, 2004
"I saw the proof copy of this book before it was available. As an art teacher, I am always looking for an inspirational book for my high school students. I plan to use this book as a text for my art Fundamentals Class- it is perfect. Very visual, enough text but not too much. Aimone has finally written the design book I have needed."
-- A reader, posted on Amazon.com

Magazine Reviews

FIBERARTS, 2004
"Geared toward novices and artists alike, this book is a wonderful introduction to design, as well as a refresher course on common design concepts. The book is inexpensive and a great tool that’s very accessible. It is filled with examples that encompass the world of design from products to art, advertising to propaganda, hair to landscape, and food to architecture. The book is balanced in its coverage of different disciplines and has a number of stunning fiber examples. Each chapter is filled with provocative images, thoughtful explanations, and useful exercises that clarify concepts."

Academic Reviews

Columbia College of Chicago, March 11, 2004
"Your book arrived in the mail today, and what a handsome thing it is! You should be very pleased with what you’ve achieved here. Too many of the books on design are focused exclusively on products (toasters, tea kettles) or on graphics (how many logos can you really look at?). It’s a very healthy and refreshing thing to encounter a book that recognizes that there is design in fine art, architecture, fashion, crafts, indeed, in all forms of artistic production. How refreshing as well to find examples drawn from art made in the recent past, rather than just the “usual suspects” (i.e. the Bauhaus and its many offspring or the Russian Constructivists). All around, a really splendid book, a pleasure to look at as well, even if I already know the elements of design.

I also showed the book to my chair, a sculptor with two degrees in design (one from ITT), whose husband is an artist who also teaches design. She’s talking about ordering the book for her class this fall, and wants her husband to see it as well, as he typically stands in front of the shelves of design books in their home and sighs, “The same old books.” Now, there’s a beautiful new on instead.

Best of luck with your work. Perhaps it’s living in what is arguably one of the most beautiful places in the United States that encourages such things! (I was at Appalachian State for a conference in the height of the fall some years ago, and will never forget how achingly lovely the area around Asheville is! I’ve long suspected that was why the folks at Black Mountain College did such good stuff.)"

-- Jeff Abell, Assistant Chair, Interdisciplinary Arts Dept., Columbia College of Chicago