FOAM MAGAZINE, No. 22, 2010
Book Review of Bird Watching

"This book contains photographs of small birds perched on brances, multicoloured specks observed in their natural surroundings. The images are supplemented by handwritten notes the author made on journeys through the forests of California, Michigan and Oregon as well as small sketches and photographs of leaves against a white background. The appearance of this book will enrapture readers, but we cannot for long ignore the fact that the birds are not real. They are models made to fool your eyes. McCartney operates at the edge of deceivability, mounting her models into our ideal landscapes and captivating us with her rich presentations of actual landscapes. With the help of Darius Himes as editor, Princeton Architectural Press has produed a satisfying and beautiful photobook. It has the look and feel of a private album, bound in linen, with the title tipped in, and design details that lovingly serve the enjoyment of this work. "

PHOTO-EYE MAGAZINE, March 6, 2010
Online Book Review of Bird Watching

"Paula McCartney has been making unique and limited edition artist books for many years. She sees the book as a medium and visualizes much of her photographic work in book form, many of her photographs exist only in the artist book. McCartney's first trade edition, published by Princeton Architectural Press, will be welcomed by individual collectors interested in McCartney's work, as it is both affordable in comparison to her artist books and beautiful. The monograph is an expanded version of her artist book Bird Watching and includes every image from the series. Mimicking a private field guide journal, McCartney takes the reader on the most successful bird watching quest, or so it seems at first glance."—Larissa Leclair (excerpt).

NEW YORK MAGAZINE, March 8, 2010
Weekly Edited Listing

"A closer look at these deceptively dreamy bird-watching photographs of winged creatures perched in their native habitats—including the beautifully composed Bird Watching (Aqua Tanager)—reveals chintzy avian forms composed of craft-store materials, like faux feathers andpainted beaks."

PDN Photo of the Day, March 2, 2010

"A bird-watcher's dream comes to life via Paula McCartney's Bird Watching series in her first solo show in New York."