This book puts the artist per se under a microscope to examine the nature vs. nurture dynamics of "how to build an artist." Using a blank minded, blank-faced social misfit named Benny, Z.B. Sanders begins this illustrated weekend read with a human blank canvas. She even makes WHITE his favorite color, and the inside of his house is painted completely WHITE. In effect, she literarily (as opposed to 'literally') gesso’s the story before adding anything.
With the stage set, Sanders sets Benny on a vision quest loosely based on Cervantes's book Don Quixote. Complete with his parrot (for the donkey) and his friend Larry (for Sancho), Benny visits a fraud fortune teller who convinces him he was a famous artist in a past life and to "get a clue" about himself through some self-examination. Benny takes the advice and literally looks into his bathroom mirror to find this clue. And here's the good stuff...
Sanders intentionally takes Benny through specific circumstances to educate readers about art history from the Renaissance period to current trends. With each circumstance, Sanders pauses the story to discuss each period and the socio-political milieu of the times that influenced (and/or reflected) the evolution of art. For instance, by running Benny through the unforgiving world of art criticism, Sanders forces him to get to know the concept of "style" and what makes a work of art worthy of being called art. (His first show was blank canvases, which were absolutely *NOT* a statement like Rauschenberg’s Seven Panels of White.) With tongue firmly placed in cheek, Sanders has the poor sap decide to go to an art supplies store to purchase some style the same way a person goes to the supermarket to buy groceries. With the guidance of the storekeeper, Benny and his friend, Larry, purchase prints of famous paintings, thereby allowing Sanders to educate the reader with actual pictures included in the text. An exquisite way to introduce the importance of studying the masters.
The book is also a work of art in its own right. Using multiple layers of story built on story, real art history, metaphor, drawings and analysis, Sanders has produced a piece of art that facilitates contemplation without effort on the reader’s part.
This book is perfect for academic study. It actually trains the critical eye on how to perceive works of art beyond the initial impression and into what the artist is seeking to convey. It also pays homage to the life ingredients required to see the muse (indeed to see a muse at all) and fulfill its characteristic expression.
Art history and art appreciation classes are sure to enrich their students' experience of art with this book on their required reading list.
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Reviews with images
Dear Art Historians. Want to know how to build an artist?
This book puts the artist per se under a microscope to examine the nature vs. nurture dynamics of "how to build an artist." Using a blank minded, blank-faced social misfit named Benny, Z.B. Sanders begins this illustrated weekend read with a human blank canvas. She even makes WHITE his favorite color, and the inside of his house is painted completely WHITE. In effect, she literarily (as opposed to 'literally') gesso’s the story before adding anything.With the stage set, Sanders sets Benny on a vision quest loosely based on Cervantes's book Don Quixote. Complete with his parrot (for the donkey) and his friend Larry (for Sancho), Benny visits a fraud fortune teller who convinces him he was a famous artist in a past life and to "get a clue" about himself through some self-examination. Benny takes the advice and literally looks into his bathroom mirror to find this clue. And here's the good stuff...Sanders intentionally takes Benny through specific circumstances to educate readers about art history from the Renaissance period to current trends. With each circumstance, Sanders pauses the story to discuss each period and the socio-political milieu of the times that influenced (and/or reflected) the evolution of art. For instance, by running Benny through the unforgiving world of art criticism, Sanders forces him to get to know the concept of "style" and what makes a work of art worthy of being called art. (His first show was blank canvases, which were absolutely *NOT* a statement like Rauschenberg’s Seven Panels of White.) With tongue firmly placed in cheek, Sanders has the poor sap decide to go to an art supplies store to purchase some style the same way a person goes to the supermarket to buy groceries. With the guidance of the storekeeper, Benny and his friend, Larry, purchase prints of famous paintings, thereby allowing Sanders to educate the reader with actual pictures included in the text. An exquisite way to introduce the importance of studying the masters.The book is also a work of art in its own right. Using multiple layers of story built on story, real art history, metaphor, drawings and analysis, Sanders has produced a piece of art that facilitates contemplation without effort on the reader’s part.This book is perfect for academic study. It actually trains the critical eye on how to perceive works of art beyond the initial impression and into what the artist is seeking to convey. It also pays homage to the life ingredients required to see the muse (indeed to see a muse at all) and fulfill its characteristic expression.Art history and art appreciation classes are sure to enrich their students' experience of art with this book on their required reading list.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2020
With the stage set, Sanders sets Benny on a vision quest loosely based on Cervantes's book Don Quixote. Complete with his parrot (for the donkey) and his friend Larry (for Sancho), Benny visits a fraud fortune teller who convinces him he was a famous artist in a past life and to "get a clue" about himself through some self-examination. Benny takes the advice and literally looks into his bathroom mirror to find this clue. And here's the good stuff...
Sanders intentionally takes Benny through specific circumstances to educate readers about art history from the Renaissance period to current trends. With each circumstance, Sanders pauses the story to discuss each period and the socio-political milieu of the times that influenced (and/or reflected) the evolution of art. For instance, by running Benny through the unforgiving world of art criticism, Sanders forces him to get to know the concept of "style" and what makes a work of art worthy of being called art. (His first show was blank canvases, which were absolutely *NOT* a statement like Rauschenberg’s Seven Panels of White.) With tongue firmly placed in cheek, Sanders has the poor sap decide to go to an art supplies store to purchase some style the same way a person goes to the supermarket to buy groceries. With the guidance of the storekeeper, Benny and his friend, Larry, purchase prints of famous paintings, thereby allowing Sanders to educate the reader with actual pictures included in the text. An exquisite way to introduce the importance of studying the masters.
The book is also a work of art in its own right. Using multiple layers of story built on story, real art history, metaphor, drawings and analysis, Sanders has produced a piece of art that facilitates contemplation without effort on the reader’s part.
This book is perfect for academic study. It actually trains the critical eye on how to perceive works of art beyond the initial impression and into what the artist is seeking to convey. It also pays homage to the life ingredients required to see the muse (indeed to see a muse at all) and fulfill its characteristic expression.
Art history and art appreciation classes are sure to enrich their students' experience of art with this book on their required reading list.
Dear Art Historians. Want to know how to build an artist?
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2020
This book puts the artist per se under a microscope to examine the nature vs. nurture dynamics of "how to build an artist." Using a blank minded, blank-faced social misfit named Benny, Z.B. Sanders begins this illustrated weekend read with a human blank canvas. She even makes WHITE his favorite color, and the inside of his house is painted completely WHITE. In effect, she literarily (as opposed to 'literally') gesso’s the story before adding anything.Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2020
With the stage set, Sanders sets Benny on a vision quest loosely based on Cervantes's book Don Quixote. Complete with his parrot (for the donkey) and his friend Larry (for Sancho), Benny visits a fraud fortune teller who convinces him he was a famous artist in a past life and to "get a clue" about himself through some self-examination. Benny takes the advice and literally looks into his bathroom mirror to find this clue. And here's the good stuff...
Sanders intentionally takes Benny through specific circumstances to educate readers about art history from the Renaissance period to current trends. With each circumstance, Sanders pauses the story to discuss each period and the socio-political milieu of the times that influenced (and/or reflected) the evolution of art. For instance, by running Benny through the unforgiving world of art criticism, Sanders forces him to get to know the concept of "style" and what makes a work of art worthy of being called art. (His first show was blank canvases, which were absolutely *NOT* a statement like Rauschenberg’s Seven Panels of White.) With tongue firmly placed in cheek, Sanders has the poor sap decide to go to an art supplies store to purchase some style the same way a person goes to the supermarket to buy groceries. With the guidance of the storekeeper, Benny and his friend, Larry, purchase prints of famous paintings, thereby allowing Sanders to educate the reader with actual pictures included in the text. An exquisite way to introduce the importance of studying the masters.
The book is also a work of art in its own right. Using multiple layers of story built on story, real art history, metaphor, drawings and analysis, Sanders has produced a piece of art that facilitates contemplation without effort on the reader’s part.
This book is perfect for academic study. It actually trains the critical eye on how to perceive works of art beyond the initial impression and into what the artist is seeking to convey. It also pays homage to the life ingredients required to see the muse (indeed to see a muse at all) and fulfill its characteristic expression.
Art history and art appreciation classes are sure to enrich their students' experience of art with this book on their required reading list.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2018
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2021
A must read for every artist and creative who doubts their talents. Educational and Inspiring with relatable characters and a storyline that will keep you reading til the very end. I highly recommend this book to anyone who feels unsure about their artistic talents.
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