Tony Bennett: What My Heart Has Seen

by Tony Bennett

Gathers drawings, watercolors, and paintings by the popular singer, and shares his comments on his life, career, art, and travels

Genres: Art

151 pages, Hardcover

First published August 15, 1996

About the author

Anthony Dominick "Tony" Benedetto , better known by his stage name Tony Bennett, was an American singer of traditional pop standards, show tunes, and jazz. He was also a painter, having created works under the name Anthony Benedetto that are on permanent public display in several institutions. He was the founder of the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria, Queens, New York.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Be...


Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name

for the English academic please go to:
Tony Bennett

Reviews

[Westley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tony Bennett's art work. He is very talented.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all know Tony Bennett as a great singer. He' also a very, very talented artist. He's bee drawing and painting since he was a child and carries art supplies with him whenever he's on the road. His paintings hang in many museums and private homes. I'd love to own on but they're out of my price range.
This book contains a forward written by his good friend and long time accompanist, Ralph Sharon, that gives a brief summary of Bennett's life.
The rest of the book is divided into sections centered on ome of Bennett's favorite cities and areas. He describes what inspired him to paint in those spots and the book then contains dozens of reproductions of his painting and drawings.
It's a joy to read.

[Cynthia Lamas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never knew that Tony Bennett was a painter before he became a singer. What a nice surprise. I loved reading about his childhood and how he came upon art and how he never stopped being an artist while still making beautiful lasting music. Only wish I could own an original Tony Bennett, maybe someday.

[Terry Dullum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like his music, wonderful pictures.

[Wendy H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew Tony Bennett was an artist but never saw the breadth of his work until I found this book, which made me fall in love with them. At first, I was more interested in his paintings of San Francisco, a place he loved and that treasures him. Then I decided to start from the beginning of the book and read about his personal life, how he became an artist, his thoughts about painting and art in general, and those of his paintings. The book is divided in 6 parts: New York, Around the World, Portraits, Still Life, and The Painter. I enjoyed learning about the man behind the music and paintings.

His artistic eye was spectacular. His art is so inspiring and makes you want to paint. Three of his artworks are part of the Smithsonian's permanent collection, one of which is his knock out portrait of Duke Ellington. Included in this book are drawings and sketches, but my favorites are his painted landscapes, and not just those of San Francisco. His oil, gouache and watercolor works make you happy, want to be there and buy one of his paintings for yourself.

Painting was number one in his life, amazingly more important than singing. I would love to see an exhibit of his paintings. A museum should organize an exhibit of them for all to enjoy.