The story of David Hockney, one of the most widely acclaimed of all living artists, is one of passion: passion for seeing, passion for telling, passion for images. But to these should be added the passion for life. Hockney's art is a celebration of what it is to be alive. All of his pictures-sometimes tender, as when he draws close friends and family; sometimes playful, as in his paintings of lazy, carefree days at the pool; sometimes awe-inspiring, as with his monumental images of the Grand Canyon-convey what it means to be in the world, to see it, to move in it, to love it. This constant exploration of how to communicate such feelings through his work emerges with particular clarity in this stunning, lively volume, which charts almost fifty years of extraordinary creativity. Hockney's Pictures is the first definitive "retrospective" to show the evolution and diversity of Hockney's prolific paintings, drawings, watercolors, prints, and photography, including new and published works. The pieces, presented thematically, are selected and organized by David Hockney himself, and track Hockney's lifelong experiments in ways of looking and depicting. With 325 illustrations, accompanied by extensive quotes from the artist himself that illuminate the passionate thinking behind the work, Hockney's Pictures is destined to become a classic. David Hockney is Britain's most celebrated living artist and one of the most popular artists working today. His pieces are in the permanent collections of major museums internationally, and his book Secret Knowledge was one of the bestselling art books of 2001.