BOOK FEATURE : : : :

Velvet paintings are the Harlequin romance novels of the art world.

Though beloved by millions around the world, black velvet paintings have too long been relegated to the shadowy backrooms of art history. BLACK VELVET MASTERPIECES celebrates the best and worst of this kitschy yet sought-after art form, showcasing the most mind-blowing paintings from the Velveteria museum, home to a rotating collection of more than 1,200 crying Elvises, troubling clowns, naked ladies, dogs playing poker, celebrity and presidential portraits, religious icons, black light psych-outs, and the just plain weird.

We've all seen them stacked in the corners of flea markets, hanging from the dark walls of the local dive bar, perhaps even above the mantle at great-aunt Thelma's. And the paintings have some big-name fans: The Shins shot a recent Rolling Stone feature amidst the wall-to-wall treasures at the Velveteria. So what is the attraction to black velvet? According to co-author Caren Anderson, "Velvet paintings seem to call out to the viewer, inviting them to experience the paintings in a tactile way. They have an inner luminescence that plays on the senses and lures you in."

Perhaps it was the sensuality of the medium, but authors Caren Anderson and Carl Baldwin fell in love while on the hunt for black velvet paintings. Together they opened the Velveteria museum in Portland, Oregon, in 2005, and are the world's leading authorities on this underappreciated art. Recently Caren and Carl moved the museum to a new location to accommodate their ever-growing collection—and its popularity.

Black Velvet Masterpieces offers 300 reproductions of these tactile gems complemented by a unique history of the medium, tracing its roots from ancient China and Japan through Victorian England, the South Seas, Southeast Asia, and the Americas. The velvet-covered book also offers step-by-step instructions on how to master the tricky art of painting on this luxurious fabric. Look inside the book here, but be warned: this romance with velvet could sweep you off your feet.

MEET THE AUTHORS!
For our lucky readers in Portland, Powell's City of Books will welcome Carl and Caren for a reception on May 1st, 2008 at 6:30 pm followed by a talk by the authors at 7:30 pm. Attendees are welcome to view hand-picked selections from the museum's collection, and the paintings will be showcased throughout the month of May.

WIN A COPY OF BLACK VELVET MASTERPIECES!
Even if you don't live in the City of Roses, five Chronicle Books fans can win a free copy of the book. Just send an email to webmaster@chroniclebooks.com with the subject line "BLACK VELVET" and tell us about your favorite so-bad-it's-good art. Winners will be selected in a random drawing (but a little less random if you submit pics—we love 'em!).

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