In this book, Jeffrey Makin, artist and long-time visual arts critic for the Herald Sun, presents 150 short essays and reviews of individual artists' works under some sixteen important subject categories such as 'In the Abstract' and 'Female Sensibilities'. The time-frame of these writings extends from 1970 to 2008 and sometimes offers the opportunity to meet artists at various points within their developing careers. The text commences with an outline of Makin's philosophical stance regarding the role of artist as critic and then proceeds to demonstrate this approach with reviews of the works of artists too numerous to name but including Sidney Nolan, Arthur Boyd, Charles Blackman, Joy Hester, Criss Canning, Rick Amor, Howard Arkley, John Brack, John Olsen, Fred Williams, Robert Jacks, James Gleeson, Roger Kemp, George Johnson, Bill Henson, Tim Storrier, Les Kossatz and many more. The book is illustrated with photographs of artists in their studios.