What do you think?
Rate this book
Drawn: The Art of Ascent
A graphic-adventure that delves into why we pursue the wild outdoors. Shivering in a cave beneath Mount Fitz Roy in Patagonia, artist and rock climber Jeremy Collins had an intense and anxious vision, "both geographic and artistic," about his life and what he was doing with it. As a result, he left Argentina and commenced on a four-year journey that took him in the four cardinal directions from his home in Kansas City, north, south, east, west, to create art in the wild, climb new routes, and "live out his own map." Drawn: The Art of Ascent shares his exploits, his art, and what he discovered about balancing wilderness adventure with peace and home.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2014
6 people are currently reading
272 people want to read
About the author
Jeremy Collins
15 books26 followersJeremy Collins is a multifaceted artist, climber, and adventurer whose work intertwines the grit of the wild with a mastery of visual storytelling. Known for his breathtaking illustrations and striking narratives, Collins captures the raw beauty and intensity of the natural world through his art and prose. As a climber, his daring ascents in some of the world's most remote and challenging locations have shaped both his work and worldview, fostering a deep connection between him and the rugged landscapes he immerses into. Collins' work invites us to understand the challenges and struggle of wilderness and ourselves, sparking a deeper appreciation for both the environment and the human spirit's capacity to endure.
His complex, cerebral, and whimsical drawings and maps have been featured in books, films, and commercial work. From the cover of National Geographic to his award winning book Drawn: The Art of Ascent, and Earth Almanac, Jeremy is a bottomless well of inspired expression.
His complex, cerebral, and whimsical drawings and maps have been featured in books, films, and commercial work. From the cover of National Geographic to his award winning book Drawn: The Art of Ascent, and Earth Almanac, Jeremy is a bottomless well of inspired expression.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 7, 2015
I highly recommend this book! I read it with an open mouth while shaking my head in disbelief that someone could possess that much mental courage and physical stamina. Jeremy's art is rivaled by his adventurous spirit which is rivaled by his encouraging and mesmerizing words. It's a triple threat win. At times a true cliff-hanger, this is a beautiful book to display as well as a meaningful book on friendship and chasing dreams to soulfully carry with you and absorb.
December 31, 2016
For the artist and/or hiker or climber in your life. Beautiful mixed media layout--I spent more time studying the art than reading the actual book. Drawn tells the story of one climber spreading the ashes of a dear climbing friend in the four directions. And the higher the better. Captures the love of the outdoors and the passion climbers have for their sport. It also shows the tension the love of climbing can have when contrasted to the love of the family. Wonderful story and viewpoint.
June 26, 2019
Fun one sitting read. I enjoyed the drawings, but not a huge fan of the hand written text. Some of his sentiments toward family seemed... Obligatory? I did appreciate the humbleness of his high adventure.
My least favorite part was the line that said "you will never understand woman, but always respect them" with a drawing of a man letting a woman through a door first. Serious face palm. Were we not your target audience too?
Overall, a cool project meshing his loves of art and mountaineering.
My least favorite part was the line that said "you will never understand woman, but always respect them" with a drawing of a man letting a woman through a door first. Serious face palm. Were we not your target audience too?
Overall, a cool project meshing his loves of art and mountaineering.
April 19, 2022
This is just a gorgeous memoir with drawings of the author/illustrator's rock climbing expeditions. He describes what he and his fellow climbers see and the people they meet, during a period of (I think) a few years of his personal project of traveling to do climbs north, south, east and west of his home in Missouri (Canadian Northwest Territories, Venezuela, China and Yosemite). This was partly to scatter the ashes of a friend who had been killed during a climb. The drawings and paintings are amazing, and along with travel stories there are quotes from other writers about nature and climbing, and his own musings about life and meaning. I bought this book in Boulder, Colorado [**Boulder Bookstore: new favorite bookstore west of the Mississippi], during a week when we also got to see some awesome mountains. It was great to read. But it didn't make me want to go rock climbing.
January 30, 2026
I was excited about this book, but it just didn't really click for me. Somewhere between two and three stars. The art, yes, was beautiful. The writing was beautiful. I loved the illustrations, and the diagrams of the climbs that they were doing. The descriptions of the people they met along the way were also very interesting.
However, this book read a bit like an encouraging poster, rather than a motivational story. Some of the quotes stood out to me as just overly obvious, or annoying. "You will never understand women, but always respect them." Fine if it was I will never understand women, annoying if it is you as you are basically saying that only men are reading the book, and also that women are somehow a different species.
So, a guy has a mentor who dies climbing, so he wants to honor the friend by abandoning his own family, going and climbing and getting two friends injured. Wow, so impressive and not at all ironic.
However, this book read a bit like an encouraging poster, rather than a motivational story. Some of the quotes stood out to me as just overly obvious, or annoying. "You will never understand women, but always respect them." Fine if it was I will never understand women, annoying if it is you as you are basically saying that only men are reading the book, and also that women are somehow a different species.
So, a guy has a mentor who dies climbing, so he wants to honor the friend by abandoning his own family, going and climbing and getting two friends injured. Wow, so impressive and not at all ironic.
December 24, 2025
a super quick read, but what a stunning piece! the art and writing throughout represented the places and feelings of each experience so well. climbing is something i cannot comprehend enjoying, but i do respect it immensely because what a feat it is to be in such a primal, life-and-death place of urgency and find meaning in that. respect.
really enjoyed the multi-media feeling of this book-- constructed of both handwritten and typed parts, photographs, illustrations, and watercolors-- it really felt like a medley unique to itself. also mad respect to this man's wife for letting him leave her and his two young children to complete each of these journeys. grief can really change a person, but i'm glad this was cathartic for him.
really enjoyed the multi-media feeling of this book-- constructed of both handwritten and typed parts, photographs, illustrations, and watercolors-- it really felt like a medley unique to itself. also mad respect to this man's wife for letting him leave her and his two young children to complete each of these journeys. grief can really change a person, but i'm glad this was cathartic for him.
October 21, 2019
A climber, a father, an artist, in memory of a dear friend lost in an avalanche went in four cardinal directions to ascent new routes, so to scatter his friend's ashes once on top as a way to liberate another's soul onto the mountains not previously touched. In this process of grieving, the climber forged new friendships, hung on when pushed to mental and physical edges, rekindled his inner creative space, and then came back home to bring alive this touching graphic story.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Go where you are drawn and the rest should follow.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Go where you are drawn and the rest should follow.
May 23, 2024
I have a hard time justifying leaving my young kids, my daughter just about Jer's kids age in the book, even for a weekend board game convention. I can't imagine leaving my wife home with my two toddlers to jet around the world, imperiling myself, to dish out ashes of a loved one. It's mind boggling. I could not get past that aspect of his life/stories/choices.
But I do find his art and writing without equal. Truly awe inspiring illustrations and paintings. That's what buoys the book as a three, rather than a 1 for me.
But I do find his art and writing without equal. Truly awe inspiring illustrations and paintings. That's what buoys the book as a three, rather than a 1 for me.
March 23, 2017
Fantastic... I love art and travel memoirs and this one is an excellent example. Gorgeous illustrations, beautiful thoughts, inspiring ideas, what more could one ask for? Jeremy Collins' work fills a person with such longing and such a bittersweet sense of life. This journey we are all on is full of the ordinary, but our summits sustain us.
Highly recommend to anyone with an adventurous spirit who also deeply desires connection, with themselves, with other people, and with the earth.
Highly recommend to anyone with an adventurous spirit who also deeply desires connection, with themselves, with other people, and with the earth.
February 20, 2018
A beautiful book, both physically and contextually. This book was not just written, it was designed. Through the combination of Collin’s artistic talents and engaging writing, Drawn becomes nearly impossible to put down. Great for reading in a single sitting, Drawn delivers humor, intensity, sorrow, and a solemn appreciation for adventure that comes through living it fully.
August 13, 2018
Una obra de arte. A raíz de la muerte de un amigo, Jeremy Collins plasma este diario de expediciones de escalada con absorbentes historias, reflexiones y artísticos dibujos y collages de fotos. Una joya que invita, una y otra vez, a disfrutar de todas y cada una de sus increibles páginas.
May 3, 2025
Un récit d'aventure et de liberté, de dépassement de soi, de rencontre avec l'autre. Celui qui accompagne, celui qui quitte. Se sont les mots lus qui touchent, mais aussi la beauté des dessins, et les portraits des gens rencontrés sur le chemin de l'auteur. Magnifique!
December 17, 2017
Beautifully written and illustrated.
"Being connected by that sinewy vein of rope, your life in the hands of another, amplifies the connection between two people, two souls. It doesn't necessarily mean you are any closer emotionally; it just means you accept each other as family members, with all the weaknesses and flaws that come with it. Whereas genetic family is attached by blood, a climbing family is attached by that rope between us: thousands of nylon fibers, thinner than human hair, braided under tension into a core....I don't think about how it's made when climbing. I think about the family member attached at the other end. It's a bloodline"
"Being connected by that sinewy vein of rope, your life in the hands of another, amplifies the connection between two people, two souls. It doesn't necessarily mean you are any closer emotionally; it just means you accept each other as family members, with all the weaknesses and flaws that come with it. Whereas genetic family is attached by blood, a climbing family is attached by that rope between us: thousands of nylon fibers, thinner than human hair, braided under tension into a core....I don't think about how it's made when climbing. I think about the family member attached at the other end. It's a bloodline"
February 28, 2018
Wonderful climbing adventure story with artwork that I loved. Very good.
August 26, 2020
One of the best books I’ve had in my hands in quite sometime. The graphics are mesmerizing and the writing is inspiring. This is a book I’ll keep next to me in the future.
August 1, 2021
Absolutely amazing
September 13, 2022
The world needs more compelling adult picture books.
August 19, 2023
Love his artwork, and his storytelling is just as good!
May 9, 2015
Last night I had the privilege of being invited to attend Jeremy Collins' book tour in Las Vegas. Hosted by Desert Rock Sports, the event featured a live art show with Jeremy and then a screening of his movie, DRAWN: The Art of Ascent.
The movie follows the story of Jeremy traveling West, South, East, and North in search of adventure, discovery and commemorating the life of a fallen comrade. The film draws you into Jeremy’s personal life, as he balances a self described “love paradox” — where he strives to give both adventure and family his full attention. As the film shows, Jeremy is a committed father and husband, but at his core he is an adventure seeker. The dynamic between raising two small children while being a world traveler and explorer plays out in a beautiful and artistically driven story.
In the book of the same title, we get a detailed look into each of his expeditions into uncharted and (often) dangerous corners of the earth. As a 20 year climbing veteran, the actual climbs often pale in comparison to the dangers found in the local wildlife and weather. With that said, the climbs themselves do not come without unexpected surprises.
He does not make these journeys alone; for each expedition Jeremy brings along real world companions who's individual stories are as interesting as the adventures themselves. From the Venezuelan who runs a water buffalo farm with his family to the writer who has explored over one hundred countries and managed to get arrested in six, there are plenty of rich characters to be found.
Perhaps the most interesting part of Jeremy’s journey is the art which was created on his travels and compliment the story, filling each page with color and life. Flipping through the pages of Drawn is an adventure onto itself, taking you from hand written journal entries to beautifully illustrated images to anecdotes on both family and adventure.
Owning Drawn is owning a piece of living art. Drawn manages to make the transition between story and artistic expression seamless and casual. Each page is full of detail from photos to paint to illustrations that add layers and textures that can be studied and appreciated far more than just words alone.
Jeremy talks about an idea he wants to instill to his young son: “Make money to live life and never the opposite.” After reading Drawn, I was left with a similar feeling— do not spend your time worried about what others think, go out and explore and live your life on your terms, not someone else's.
As Jeremy’s book tour in Las Vegas wrapped up he wrote me a simple note: “Keep taking chances. I did…and it was worth it.”
The movie follows the story of Jeremy traveling West, South, East, and North in search of adventure, discovery and commemorating the life of a fallen comrade. The film draws you into Jeremy’s personal life, as he balances a self described “love paradox” — where he strives to give both adventure and family his full attention. As the film shows, Jeremy is a committed father and husband, but at his core he is an adventure seeker. The dynamic between raising two small children while being a world traveler and explorer plays out in a beautiful and artistically driven story.
In the book of the same title, we get a detailed look into each of his expeditions into uncharted and (often) dangerous corners of the earth. As a 20 year climbing veteran, the actual climbs often pale in comparison to the dangers found in the local wildlife and weather. With that said, the climbs themselves do not come without unexpected surprises.
He does not make these journeys alone; for each expedition Jeremy brings along real world companions who's individual stories are as interesting as the adventures themselves. From the Venezuelan who runs a water buffalo farm with his family to the writer who has explored over one hundred countries and managed to get arrested in six, there are plenty of rich characters to be found.
Perhaps the most interesting part of Jeremy’s journey is the art which was created on his travels and compliment the story, filling each page with color and life. Flipping through the pages of Drawn is an adventure onto itself, taking you from hand written journal entries to beautifully illustrated images to anecdotes on both family and adventure.
Owning Drawn is owning a piece of living art. Drawn manages to make the transition between story and artistic expression seamless and casual. Each page is full of detail from photos to paint to illustrations that add layers and textures that can be studied and appreciated far more than just words alone.
Jeremy talks about an idea he wants to instill to his young son: “Make money to live life and never the opposite.” After reading Drawn, I was left with a similar feeling— do not spend your time worried about what others think, go out and explore and live your life on your terms, not someone else's.
As Jeremy’s book tour in Las Vegas wrapped up he wrote me a simple note: “Keep taking chances. I did…and it was worth it.”
August 19, 2015
I follow Jeremy Collins on Instagram (and you should, too!), but I admittedly didn't expect the stories behind his beautiful art to be as deep and as deeply moving as I found them to be. Maybe it's the tangible-turned-collective memory of a loss so vast, so life-changing, that you'd travel to four corners of the earth just to carry that loss with you. Just to remember. To show them you made it, to be there with them, because of them. Because they once believed in you. Because you believed in adventure enough to forsake all else to find it. To find yourself on top of a mountain no one else has climbed. To hike a trail, or swim a channel, or canoe an inlet that meant everything to them. That meant everything to both of you. This book made me miss my dad. It made me remember how vast that loss, while simultaneously remembering the stunning beauty that is living with loss that vast. The reminder not to take a single second for granted. The reminder to be as fearless as you can be, because our days are the vibrant hues of a sinking sunset, and this world is so full of stunning vistas to find.
[Four stars for stunning illustrations that climbed off the page and underneath my skin.]
[Four stars for stunning illustrations that climbed off the page and underneath my skin.]
April 12, 2016
The cover made me do it, pick up the book, that is. So thank you, Jeremy Collins, for a design that made it impossible for me to look past this book.
The inside lived up to the cover. I was once married to a climber so was really drawn to this exploration of the draw of mountains and unclimbed routes. Saying farewell to a friend, by scattering his ashes in the four directions, was the impetus for the climbs Collins briefly and poetically describes. But at heart this book is a love story, to mountains and family and friends and passion.
I've read a lot of climbing books over the years. I'm not drawn to hanging off a steep pitch, but I've wanted to understand it. Collins describes his love of those steep masses of rock in a way that is both enlightening and lyrical. His book is a feast for eye and heart.
The inside lived up to the cover. I was once married to a climber so was really drawn to this exploration of the draw of mountains and unclimbed routes. Saying farewell to a friend, by scattering his ashes in the four directions, was the impetus for the climbs Collins briefly and poetically describes. But at heart this book is a love story, to mountains and family and friends and passion.
I've read a lot of climbing books over the years. I'm not drawn to hanging off a steep pitch, but I've wanted to understand it. Collins describes his love of those steep masses of rock in a way that is both enlightening and lyrical. His book is a feast for eye and heart.
November 13, 2015
Great book. Collins' art, photography, narration, and quotation all work together to create a unique book where getting outside and attempting to have an adventure is the goal. His story shows that not all plans work out, but if you keep an open mind and do good things along the way, you will live an adventurous life.
January 15, 2016
Very creative telling of a story of climbing, friendship, loss and life. Love the mix of media in this book and the story. It's a keeper! Get the hard copy of this one and put it somewhere it will be seen.
August 21, 2022
I ADORE everything about this book: the message, the art, the colors, the spreads, the typography, the quotes, the adventure. It's pretty much the best damn illustrated storybook for adults. Makes me, a hermit and homebody, want to get out there and explore beyond my comfort zones.
January 2, 2017
Great book, but the changing fonts were distracting. Especially when it morphed from hand-written bold to hand-written cursive mid-sentence with variations in size and written at a 45 degree angle. Most paragraphs had to be read twice.
January 10, 2016
A soulful exploration of adventure. Collins is an amazing artist and his story glues the illustrations together to create a really captivating work. I blazed through this book.
April 14, 2016
This is a beautiful collage adventure book is awesome. The art is wonderful and moves you through this story of love, loss and adventure.
September 8, 2016
Good book. Wonderful illustrations. Much different than I thought it would be. Actually had a point and not just a "hey, look, I did this" type of thing.
December 29, 2016
A beautiful coffee table book for anyone who loves climbing and good art. (Or anyone who wants to love climbing and good art.)
January 17, 2016
Great adventure story with incredible artwork.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews