Songwriter, poet, writer, political activist . . . and, perhaps most fundamental to his work but least known about Woody Guthrie, artist. "Contrary to popular mythology, it was with paint brushes in hand, not a guitar, that Guthrie hit the road for California. He had hocked his guitar . . . and it was his artistic skills that he brokered for room and board." So begins Nora's fascinating revelations about her father's vast body of artwork. Other than the drawings for his autobiography, Bound for Glory, few have seen Guthrie's art. This is because much of it is inextricably bound into diaries and work books into which he poured his images, and which are presented here for the first time. Guthrie worked as a commercial artist, illustrating album covers, books, and newspaper columns, and kept a daily record of his life, and of American life, in thousands of pictures. Some complement song-writing in such a fluid way that they often appear interwoven with handwritten lyrics. The stinging honesty, humor, and wit found in his music are also to be found in his art, layering our understanding of his social, political, and spiritual life. In more than 300 examples, his visual creativity is apparent, from political cartoons to bawdy and comical gouaches to children's art to abstract emotional outpourings. Drawing extensively on Guthrie's words, Brower unveils an enhanced portrait of one of America's greatest creative forces.
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About the Author
Steven Brower is an award-winning graphic designer and writer working in New York City.Nora Guthrie, directs the Woody Guthrie Archives, which opened in 1996.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyment depends on your degree of Woody fandom...,
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This review is from: Woody Guthrie Artworks (Hardcover)
This is an expensive large book in glorious color, designed very well. As a Woody Guthrie fan for the past 45 years, I was delighted to receive it from a dear friend as a birthday gift. I am no artist, nor am I a folk singer, but over the decades my interest in Woody, warts and all, became quite extensive. So I read the brief text and studied the many, many drawings, and I won't be giving the volume away. However, I don't think for casual Woody fans, who like many of his songs but are not interested in biography, this will be a good investment. Woody's "art" is sometimes fascinating, but more often child-like, or vague, or political (and outdated). Presented more or less chronologically, toward the end of the volume Woody's affliction, Huntington's Chorea, shows up in his drawings and prevents the talent from showing through. Although he was a sign painter and illustrator and cartoonist before he became a "famous" folk singer in 1940 with his "Dust Bowl Ballads" collection on 78 RPM records, it is for songwriting that he will remain in our hearts and minds, not for his brush or pencil work. For Woody completists, this is a treasure. If your interest is less scholarly, pass it by and spend your money on his CD's instead. (Five stars for presentation, the four star rating is for content.)
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This art is your art.,
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This review is from: Woody Guthrie Artworks (Hardcover)
Woody Guthrie was a great talent and a complicated person. This book lets you get peek into his mind (humorous, dirty, sentimental, hopeful). If you like his music or want an interesting book to flip through, this is a great choice.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I admire Woody Guthrie and this book made me admire him more.,
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This review is from: Woody Guthrie Artworks (Hardcover)
This is a book give you a good look into the life of Woody Guthrie through art. I highly suggest this for any fan.
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