"It is a gift to be able to see the beauties of nature," Winslow Homer once said. "You must not paint everything you see. You must wait, and wait patiently until the exceptional, the wonderful effect... comes."
This book is a gift as well, a chance to marvel at the moments Homer left in,whether two pink-bellied trout leaping over ribbons of color or a violent slash of sunset igniting a wave.
Such is Homer's art, though, that once you've stepped into "the exceptional," your own imagination will likely fill in the blanks. These often gorgeous reproductions of more than 200 paintings, watercolors and sketches evoke so many stories. But if it's facts you're after, descriptions of each work are almost always presented on the facing page -- not something to take for granted.
The "beauties of nature" Homer captured are not for the faint of heart; I can still hear his trapped fox scream. But then I'm pacified by the memory of a single, small rowboat masterfully rendered in monochromatic tones. Which is why this book is perfect for someone on the verge of the art world, just waiting for an invitation to wade in.
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