Product Description

In a Willian S. Phillips painting—a tight formation of F-4 Phantoms screaming over Crater Lake, Oregon; the Blue Angels soaring near the California coast; a violent confrontation between a German Bf-109 and a RAF Spitfire above Sussex’s Beachy Head; a line of Bell Hueys passing through a monsoon-soaked valley in Vietnam—a viewer can almost feel the pressure on his body from the groundblurring speed of the plane, his mouth go dry in the desert air, or the chill on his neck when it’s so cold it hurts to breathe. Phillips is also a superb landscape and “skyscape” painter who places his subjects in geographic and historical context.

A wealth of aviation and military history by Ann and Charlie Cooper accompanies the paintings, as do Phillips’s own archival photographs.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #692265 in Books
• Published on: 2005-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 224 pages

Review
William S. Phillips adds to his skill as a landscape artist the rare ability to place aircraft into these scenes and impart to them a sense of motion that is almost palpable. He is one of the very few aviation artists in whose work you can "see the air," and feel the exhilaration of flight. (Donald S. Lopez, Deputy Director National Air and Space Museum )

Phillips wields his brush with the technical accuracy fighter jocks insist upon. (Booklist )

About the Author
William S. Phillips had the honor of having a one-man show at the National Air and Space Museum and was a U.S. Navy combat artist. Appointed by the U.S. Park Service to be its first artist-in-residence in the Grand Canyon, he has created the paintings for two U.S. Postal Service aviation history stamp series.

Ann Lewis Cooper has written nine books and hundreds of articles on aviation and aviation art. A pilot and flight instructor, she was inducted into the Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame.

CHARLES S. COOPER, a retired major general and commander of the New York State Air National Guard, is a Master Navigator and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.

Apollo XII astronaut, commander of Skylab II and artist—was born in 1932 in Wheeler, Texas. In 1950 he was selected for an NROTC scholarship at the University of Texas at Austin. In 1955, he was commissioned an ensign in the United States Navy. Holder of eleven world records in space and astronautics, as well as numerous national and international honors, Alan Bean has had a most distinguished peacetime career. His awards include two NASA Distinguished Service Medals, the Yuri Gagarin Gold Medal and the Robert J. Collier Trophy. As part of the Apollo XII crew, he became the fourth of only twelve men ever to walk on the Moon. As the spacecraft commander of Skylab Mission II, he set a world record: 24,400,000 miles traveled during the 59-day flight. He has also launched himself successfully into a new career as an artist.
When he wasn’t flying, Bean always enjoyed painting as a hobby. Attending night classes at St. Mary’s College in Maryland in 1962, Alan experimented with landscapes. During training and between missions as a test pilot and astronaut, he continued private art lessons. On space voyages, his artist’s eye and talent enabled him to document impressions of the Moon and space to be preserved later on canvas. His art reflects the attention to detail of the aeronautical engineer, the respect for the unknown of the astronaut and the unabashed appreciation of a skilled painter. The space program has seen unprecedented achievements and Bean realized that most of those who participated actively in this adventure would be gone in forty years. He knew that if any credible artistic impressions were to remain for future generations, he must paint them now. “My decision to resign from NASA in 1981 was based on the fact that I am fortunate enough to have seen sights no other artist ever has,” Bean said, “and I hope to communicate these experiences through art.”
Bean’s book Apollo: An Eyewitness Account which chronicles his first-person experience as an Apollo astronaut in words and paintings was received with critical and popular acclaim upon its publication in 1998.

Customer Reviews

good, but disappointing
I am more of a fan of Phillips "nostalgia" pictures than just the airplane pictures, so I was a little disappointed in the treatment of them. Several were cover pages with printing on them which ruined the nostalgia mood. Several were too small. Several were good. If you are a fan of all of Phillips paintings, then you must have this. The quality is excellent.

Amazing art/coffee table book
Whether an old hand or new to aviation art, this is the book to own. Phillips' art is in itself amazing. However, the presentation and accompanying words make the book even better. The size of the book ensures the reader can appreciate the art without the distraction of page gutters and make it perfect for display. Ann and Charlie Cooper have done a wonderful job describing the thoughts and ideas behind each piece of art - very well researched. You won't be disappointed.

Magnificient Aviation Fine Art Book and Much More
This is simply a magnificent book. I own three dozen other aviation fine art books. If I could have only one of them on my shelf, it would be this one. I'll try to explain why.

The selection of over 150 subjects from the artist's vast portfolio is very satisfying. The book has many air combat paintings, 21 of his USPS postage stamps, and enough of the town of Phillip's Bay to make you feel at home there. There is great variety. The subjects include the very popular fighters & bombers of WWII, but there are many less-often-seen aviation subjects- military trainers, helicopters, jets, blimps, flying boats plus sailboats, lighthouses, trains, and a classic car or two. At the same time, there is a sense of harmony.

The layout and reproduction values are excellent. The size is the definative "aviation fine art coffee table book" format. This means that the page gutter rarely interferes with the reader's ability to enjoy the art.

The book has exceptional visual impact, but the appeal goes much deeper. Beyond the visual statements of the art itself, Bill Phillips has a lot to say. The Coopers' well-crafted text blends it all together -- the artist's biography, his thoughts and reflections, and the stories behind the paintings. When they are finished, they have drawn the reader in, and made the art much more personal.

This book will hold your attention and entertain you for a long time. I hope you get the chance to enjoy this book as much as I have.