I'm exploring whether I should publish the art essays I did for DU for some two and a half years...

[CTyankee]

Last edited Sun Nov 6, 2016, 10:38 AM - Edit history (1)

Some of you urged me to do this but I didn't think they measured up. But now that I have a book editor in my family, I am going to her and ask her opinion...

Some of you asked me to consider it so I have decided to pitch the idea of just the essays that explored the modern idiom (i.e. 20th century) with such painters as Hopper, Magritte, Giacometti, Rothko, Klimt, Bellows, Brancusi, Mucha, Twombly, Picasso.

I'm sure my D.I.L will know what publishers look for and whether there is a market for such a book.

I was held back because I thought people would just say "Oh, you are just recycling stuff that's already been gone over." I feared that I relied too heavily on Peter Schjeldahl, Simon Schama, Arthur Danto, Joyce Carol Oates, and John Updike. So be it. I guess...

what do you think?

[malaise]

3. You;d better

Go for it - I loved them.

[Nay]

4. I always enjoyed whatever you produced, so please, if you want to, reissue them.

[Sissyk]

5. The only one stopping you, is you!

(Said lovingly)

I, for one here, know about zero....well, knew zero.....about fine arts. I've always read and enjoyed them. Tremendously!

Seriously, I've learned a ton from you and think that John Q. Public should have the opportunity to Learn and enjoy as well.

[CTyankee]

8. thanks. I was also fearful because I don't have an art (per se) degree.

My undergraduate degree was in theatre and my master's was in Liberal Studies (where I did design an independent study on Caravaggio). I remember having such a ball designing and doing that study. It was a lot of fun!

I stopped doing them when I could no longer capture the images off of Google using tinypic.com. I was thinking this may be because of fears of copyright infringement.

[annabanana]

17. pfft..

I got my degree in Art History many years ago. Your essays remind me why I enjoyed it. Keen observation and a clear writing style trumps (sorry) book larnin' any day.

[pangaia]

6. Yes. They are wonderful.

[ismnotwasm]

7. They were informative and gorgeous

I think that it is an excellent idea

[CTyankee]

9. thanks to all for the encouragement. I'll let you know what happens!

[edhopper]

10. You can self publ;ish with Amazon.

works for some authors.

[CTyankee]

11. good to know. But I think it's better to get an idea of the market for such a book in the first

place. And my daughter in law knows the publishing world in New York.

Plus, I don't know of the copyright laws on these works in terms of reproducing them in a book. Allthese factors need some thought...

I must say here, Ed, you were one of my most astute readers and helped me develop enormously.

[edhopper]

19. Thanks

they were always some of the most enjoyable post on DU.
I wouldn't mind that kind of diversion now.
The election is a bit stressful.

[CTyankee]

32. Overnight, I woke up realizing I had left out Picasso...oy...

I wrote one about Guernica and the politics around returning that painting to Spain all the way up to the UN covering its sepia colored version back when Colin Powell announced the bombing of Baghdad in 2003. Remember that?

I hope that's not too depressing a thought right now...

[lapislzi]

12. Yes!

Please do! I work for a publishing company and have editorial experience. PM me if you'd like to chat some more

[Solly Mack]

13. I think that is a wonderful idea and very much worth pursuing.

Also, develop one targeting kids. Seriously, intro to art for children would also be a good thing. Worth a thought anyway.

I think your style of delivery is engaging and it holds the interest.

[CTyankee]

14. At a Goya exhibit I gave a little tutorial on the artist to my granddaughter. On the way into Boston

where a new Goya exhibit went up. She was no child but a kid of 19 who hadn't been exposed to too much art. She actually enjoyed it! She was entranced by the Duchess in black lace! It was very cool...

[suffragette]

16. I think it's a fantastic idea. You have a gift. It is to energize people to take a first, second,

third or more look at great art and look deeper, both at the art and the artist, then before.

You also made it so much fun, incorporating a treasure hunt into many of your essays. For me, in trying to remember where I had seen a work before or in searching for a piece based on your clues and other half forgotten memories, I always stumbled upon much more, rich histories of people and places that wove together a fuller image.

I wonder if you could incorporate that somehow into your book. It's a truly original point of view.

[CTyankee]

23. I think it could be like that because in just talking to friends and folks here at DU I have found

out stuff I didn't think of. It's all good...oh, what you find when you go looking...

[Generic Other]

18. If not you should start a blog

To test the waters.

[Lars39]

20. Yes! Please do!

Your art essays are wonderful.

[TeamPooka]

24. I'm a lit manager who represents book authors rights in Hollywood and an art collector. If you want

to DM me some links I'd love to read and give you my opinion.
I also do some book deals every now and then but usually leave those to the agents I work with sharing clients.
If I like what you have I can see what can be done.

[CTyankee]

25. here is a sample

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027458925

Of the artists I have mentioned (that I have written about) is their one you would espcially like to see? Some are more off beat such as http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026867272
This is obviously not everyone's cup of tea...

[livetohike]

26. Please do it! They are wonderful! I would

definitely buy a few copies .

[CTyankee]

27. you are adorable!

[msanthrope]

28. Yes. nt

[dumbcat]

29. I'd like to see them again.

I found them very informative and entertaining.

[burrowowl]

31. Yes! Do it!

[prayin4rain]

33. I'm in the yes boat! nt

[PufPuf23]

34. I enjoyed your art essays at DU.

You communicated well and informed those that may not be that educated and sophisticated about art.

Your presentation is uniquely you.

Do what makes you happy (and also good if one can do a project like this with DIL).

[CTyankee]

35. my DIL may shoot me down and tell me there is a very, very limited market for this kind of book...

but at least I know that I've got fans here at DU. She's very nice, tho and would be gentle about la realite

[PufPuf23]

36. The internet changes the rules of historical book marketing.

Plus there will be buyers from DU and higher visibility because of DU.