Sindiwe Magona

Craig Fraser

In Xhosa culture the headman and elders of a tribe hold the key to all knowledge. In this visual journey to the traditional dwellings and homesteads of the old transkei, the photographer has elevated these rural abodes to a similar status. For the design, layout and materials used in these humble homes reveal much more than mere structure. They reveal that dire poverty does little to dampen the irrepressible human impulse to adorn and beautify. Here the realities of daily life are manifest in no running water (some journey five times a day to collect water), no electricity and scant employment and yet using little more than materials found in nature or sourced from the surrounding environment, the personality of each homeowner is expressed in a rich, elaborate vocabulary of symbols, geometric patterns, colour and decorative detail that is uniquely individual to each. Collectively these homes reveal the nature of a society that lives according to the deep-seated values of a fast-vanishing way of life. Here life is lived in tune with nature and in cognisance of community. Here your worth - and your lifestyle - is measured by your number of cattle.

Lifestyle and Inspiration from the Xhosa People of the Old Transkei

Mud Chic

"The New Gold Standard in Automotive Step-By-Step Books Automotive Cheap Tricks & Special F/X II, the ultimate book of automotive custom painting has been released. Automotive Cheap Tricks & Special F/X II is a compilation of step-by-step instruction by Craig Fraser, one of the greatest forces behind the popularization of automotive custom painting. In fact, Special F/X II far exceeds its predecessor, F/X I, in superior design, nearly double the content (31 chapters, including 11 introductory sub-chapters and a comprehensive glossary), and size (212 pages). The subtitle, Learn How to Paint Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles, Musical Instruments, Surfboards, and R.C. Cars, really says it all, and lives up to its promise with some of the most cutting-edge work dissected for your reference and execution. This amazing visual smorgasbord tutors on how to achieve stunning graphics, special effects, murals, pinstriping, and more for beginners and pros. It’s especially fascinating how perceptually difficult effects (bullet holes, fire, water droplets, old school flames, and tons more) and textures (alligator and dragon skin, chrome, cheetah fur, faux f/x, and many others) are so easily rendered with stencils, freehand shields, a variety of tapes, vinyl, and even a torch! It almost seems as if the author gave away too much, like a magician who would surprisingly reveal his secrets with impunity. Fraser was thoughtful enough to include enough editorial and instruction for newbies that includes a Back to Da’ Basics chapter, and some great articles on self-promotion, the zen of custom painting, how to photograph your artwork (the importance of this cannot be overstated), the paint and equipment you’ll need to get started, and the business of custom painting. In great, painstaking detail throughout, the book also addresses critically essential information on the proper sequences and steps to working with urethanes and clearcoats, among other things. The fact that improper methods can lead to catastrophic results on, say, a $100,000 vehicle makes this book even more important. Chapters include: Flamin’ Out A Killer Skull (skull and flames on a motorcycle tank), Steampunk Guitar (mind-blowing; gorgeous), Formula Drift (classic graphics with stunning results), Dragon Drums, Da Kine Surf-Tiki (Craig proves that you, too, can paint a bitchin’ surfboard), Rice Fink (sure to be a big favorite), RC Car (you better read this before you attempt one), Donkey Frog, and Homage A Giger (H.R., that is). Automotive Cheap Tricks & Special F/X II is beautifully printed in full color and on heavy paper stock, and it’s obvious that the publisher spared no expense in producing it. At $34.95 this volume is a steal. And it is, without question, the new gold standard for books on automotive custom painting and will remain so for years to come."

Craig Fraser

Books

Your next favorite book is out there