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The Leader in Art Periodicals
ART IN AMERICA seems to have won the vote for most popular periodical on the arts. The quality of reporting of world events, the informed writers who critique and investigate, and the style of referencing used in the articles makes this magazine immensely readable. This is not the most sophisticated journal of art (MODERN PAINTERS and some of the other European magazines win there), but the balance between coverage of reviews in America as well as the international scene is very fine. Ads are well designed and reproduced - even if there are a few too many for 'vanity spaces'. The constant for all of the available art magazines that can stand as a complaint is the overemphasis on New York gallery reviews: New York is not the hub it once was and the importance of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, etc is not recognized by the writers/editors.The exhibitions reviewed are solid in reportage, if unduly weighted to the edgy installation and quirky art. But for the August Issues of the Gallery Guide this magazine has them all topped!

Beautiful and glossy, but...
Art in America is of limited use for practicing professional artists.The magazine lives in the world of Big Art Shows, pompous curators, name brand artists and writers trying to determine the Next Big Thing.

It's beautiful, no doubt about it.The August guide of galleries (cover price $$$) is a great resource for national gallery mailing addresses and contact info.If you are an artist trying to find outlets for your work, practical suggestions and solutions for finding gallery contacts, try the magazine Art Calendar.

I went to a name brand art school, am still a practicing artist, and a self-supporting one.I have spent many years purging the "art speak" from my language.Magazines such as Art in America usually alienate the novices and those not steeped in art culture.I find it more often obscures rather than illuminates.Cryptic articles full of artistic navel contemplation (the writer's embellishments, not usually the artist) doesn't say much about the art or the artist, but it says a lot about the aspirations of the art reviewer, the curator and the board of directors at a particular museum.

Do I sound bitter?I'm not.I'm just tired of people who are interested in art feeling like they don't belong, feeling intimidated by the thought of going to an openingor asking an artist a question about their work because they have been made to feel "ignorant".What purpose does that serve?The curious should ask questions about art and the artists, how else are they going to learn? Making it an exclusive club does not serve a purpose.

informative & interesting
A subscription to Art in America is a good way to keep up with what's going on in the "art scene", mostly in the USA, but there are quite a few articles and reports that deal with art worldwide. As an example, the February 2002 issue has "Journey to China", showing the extraordinary work of Ah Xian, a Beijing-born artist who has lived in Australia since 1990. His porcelain portrait busts are inspired and unique, and this one article alone is worth buying the issue for.

The 2/2002 issue also has "Wayne's World", about California's wonderful Wayne Thiebaud, "Transition Yoko", on Ono's N.Y. exhibit (I like that "Half-A-Room" piece !), "Who is Cleopatra ?", with some fascinating sculpture from 50-30 B.C. on exhibit at the Field Museum in Chicago, and 2 other articles, rounding out a diverse mix covering many interests.

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And then there is ARTNews
ARTnews takes its hits from readers: paper is not high quality, the inks smear after a couple of readings, there is a lot of `outsider art' in the ads and a lot of competitions, schools, prizes etc most of which seem to stress entrance fees over artistic interest, and the reporting seems weighted to out of focus art shows.But there must be some reason it is still around, despite the competition.ARTnews is a quick read, lots of things happemn between its coevers, and it seems to be of more interest to working artsts than to the big gun collectors and museums.That is fine: the art world is bizarre enough in its diffuse goals (when there are some evident!), and this journal seems to satisfy the casual magazine collector.The writing by contributing editors is definitely improving and some of the critiques are very eloquent.A good bargain art periodical

keeping up with the trends
As an artist, I need to be "in the know" a bit, and ARTnews is one of the 3 magazines I subscribe to for this purpose.
I use it primarily for: # 1, the ads, which are mostly gallery ads, and let me know what is showing, and where. # 2, the exhibit reviews (N.Y., National, International), for the same reason as # 1, and the classifieds, which sometimes give a competition notice not available elsewhere.

Regular departments include: "ARTtalk", which is the lighter side of the news, and "National/International News", which has more of a business slant, obituaries, etc.

Each issue has a "theme". The November 2001 for instance, has fashion design, with 3 articles on art/fashion, and one on Mary McFadden's sculpture collection. It also has "The New Climate", about art after 9/11, from a response by several artists to the loss of a 100 million $ in art.
Also included is a large section on new art books, and the obligatory "avante garde" piece. There are too many "shock art" articles in this magazine for my taste, therefore 4 instead of 5 stars, but I guess some people still consider this a "trend".

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hotel art
this is great if you're a hobbyist.or a maker of hotel..no motel paintings.
sucks if you're not.

a must for students and teachers of all levels
The Artist's Magazine is full of advice and ideas for anyone studying or teaching art; from its first monthly department, "Dialogue", which is a question and answer column from readers, to the final page "Master Class", which gives the history and analysis of a famous work, you will get articles that cover many techniques and media, as well as guidelines on the business side of art.

Taking the March 2003 issue as an example, the cover story is on the exquisite gouache paintings of Daniel K. Tennant. One of the four works pictured is broken down and shown in six stages, from the initial layout to the final delicate details.
Artist Joseph Frassetta explains his technique in "Reining it In", and tells us what materials and tools he uses to create his realistic portraiture and animal studies.
There is another article on landscape painting through the four seasons, and others on doing a self-portrait, mixing the use of colored pencils, and so much more. Some favorite monthly articles are "Art Clinic" and "Technical Q&A", which always have useful tips.

The back of the magazine has classified listings of art related opportunities, workshops, etc., and even the ads can be an informative resource.
The Artist's Magazine also sponsors a yearly competition, with many categories, including a student/beginner division.
The magazine has medium weight paper, good color reproduction, andteachers and students, especially of a traditional style of art, will find much to enjoy and learn in every issue.

Indispensable Source of Information and Inspiration
I've enjoyed this magazine for years and have the habit of keeping all issues because they never fail to possess something of proven value. It's top-notch for getting great ideas and quality advise on anything pertaining to art. Like any other magazine, it gives you a dose of advertising, but it's not incredible over done.

Subjects range from portrait/self-portrait to landscape, still life and abstract design. But it doesn't end there; this magazine details style diversities from all across the board. Offering examples for improving techniques in various mediums, but generally pencil, watercolor, pastel, oil and acrylic. And no matter what the area or medium you specialize in, you'll be able to pick up handy tips in every issue. Sections of interest regularly highlight a specific tool or technique idea. Inform readers on market issues and other important business concerns. As well as provide interesting articles on artists and a little news and awareness of art related events. Plus will occasionally dip into art history and perform art contests.

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nice magazine
I've received three issues in the mail now, I wanted to wait a few issues before giving a review so that I could compare them.

I had assumed these would have drawing techniques, etc. for the pen or pencil...but these issues do not. These seem geared toward PAINTINGS not drawings (or at least these issues do). I have yet to see a drawing. Everything so far are paintings, with the exception of 3 color pencil drawings in the back of the magazine in the latest issue.

What I DO see however are various color pages of paintings submitted to the magazine with articles about how the artist did the painting... with little behind the scenes tidbits within the article (like for one painting of the boston skyline, the article said the man took pictures out of an open door of a helicopter).

I was a little disappointed with the lack of instruction, this book does NOT give techniques or advice.

But it IS a wonderful artistic magazine for all artists if you want inspiration and see how the pros do it!

American Artist Magazine Review
I find the information within the pages of American Artist to be extremely valuable. The technical page offers insight to various problems the artist will encounter, and offers detailed advice on how to rectify those problems. The magazine highlights several artists in a variety of media within the same issue, so there is something for every art enthusiast.The artist sections offer a birds eye glimpse into the particular way that they create their art. I find myself referring frequently to past issues, enjoying the artwork that it entails, and often rereading many of the articles time after time. An immense amount of useful information in each issue.Not bogged down with pages of advertisements. I highly recommend The Artist Magazine.