Customer Reviews

The Art of Joan Brown (Ahmanson-Murphy Fine Arts Book)

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This is a very attractive book about a little known artist, San Francisco native Joan Brown (1938-1990). A difficult childhood led her to escape at an early age into her imagination. Her art work is definitely quirky - she experimented with many different mediums and subjects. Most of the pictures in this book, though, are somewhat autobiographical: self portraits; portraits of friends and pets - (what is referred to in the book as her "Visual Diary"). Also many nudes rendered in abstract or expressionist fashion.

A Chronology at the back of the book contains black and white photographs of the artist at different times in her life.

A nice, heavy, well-made paperback book with dozens of examples of her work. If you like the art of Joan Brown, are interested in the San Francisco art scene of the time, or just appreciate quirky art, you'll enjoy this book.

Lots of people copy Joan Brown, maybe not intentionally, but it happens. Unfortunately she died in a freak accident installing one of her works of art so we don't get to see her next creative incarnation. Her life was exciting and interesting and she embodied what is a true artist. Driven and consumed with creative genius. Read this book, and see what it means (and takes!) to be an artist. Then try and see her works of art in person. I'm thinking the SF Museum of Modern Art SHOULD have her stuff as well as MOMA in NYC. Even if her works aren't there...someone she admired will be. A must read for every young artist.