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In the Face of Presumptions: Essays, Speeches, & Incidental Writings
Essays by the illustrator and artist.
- GenresEssaysArtNonfiction
179 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2000
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About the author
Barry Moser
241 books50 followersBarry Moser (born 1940) is a renowned artist, most famous as a printmaker and illustrator of numerous works of literature.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 3, 2020
Barry Moser is, in my little ole opinion, the greatest engraver of book artwork living today. His pictures alone tell the story and his original Pennyroyal Press runs are simply priceless. Here, he writes rather than illustrates, and while the result is not as fabulous, it's quite worthy. These are collected essays describing his thoughts, politics, and family background. The theme is highlighted throughout the book, and it is
Persistence.
Indefatigable energy.
The habit of work.
For artists and other creative types, he insists one should never give up and should never take rejection as a final ultimatum. The title of the book can also apply to his family, as he was born into a Southern American background with racism deeply ingrained. Yet, he moved to New England and his life evolved into a complete opposite of what his birth might have ordained.
Good books are invincible things, neither malice nor stupidity can crush them.
Moser's love of the printed page comes through very strongly. He loves making books, he loves reading books, he loves illustrating books. Books, books, books. There is talk here of incunabla, those books printed before 1501. There is the grunt work he endures to create those florid prints of mystery and magic. There is the consequence of spending your life engraving wooden blocks (loss of hearing & carpal tunnel).
He also devotes a short section to Norman Rockwell, making a point about Rockwell's ability to tell a story with one picture. I really enjoyed that and actually went out and found a large volume of Rockwell's illustrations to add to my collection. It's another well-done publication from the David R. Godine group, with pages of Moser's engravings at the end of the book.
If you're not aware of Mr. Moser, here are a few of his pieces:
MOBY DICK
JAMES JOYCE
THE WIZARD OF OZ
Again, this is NOT a book of his artwork, rather his written thoughts. When he veered into politics (just slightly) and a love affair, it felt a bit uncomfortable, but his overall process on how to be an artist was intriguing. It certainly made my secondhand bookshops trips more filtered as his books now add on to the evergrowing list.
Book Season = Year Round (move the sun)
Persistence.
Indefatigable energy.
The habit of work.
For artists and other creative types, he insists one should never give up and should never take rejection as a final ultimatum. The title of the book can also apply to his family, as he was born into a Southern American background with racism deeply ingrained. Yet, he moved to New England and his life evolved into a complete opposite of what his birth might have ordained.
Good books are invincible things, neither malice nor stupidity can crush them.
Moser's love of the printed page comes through very strongly. He loves making books, he loves reading books, he loves illustrating books. Books, books, books. There is talk here of incunabla, those books printed before 1501. There is the grunt work he endures to create those florid prints of mystery and magic. There is the consequence of spending your life engraving wooden blocks (loss of hearing & carpal tunnel).
He also devotes a short section to Norman Rockwell, making a point about Rockwell's ability to tell a story with one picture. I really enjoyed that and actually went out and found a large volume of Rockwell's illustrations to add to my collection. It's another well-done publication from the David R. Godine group, with pages of Moser's engravings at the end of the book.
If you're not aware of Mr. Moser, here are a few of his pieces:
MOBY DICK
JAMES JOYCE
THE WIZARD OF OZ
Again, this is NOT a book of his artwork, rather his written thoughts. When he veered into politics (just slightly) and a love affair, it felt a bit uncomfortable, but his overall process on how to be an artist was intriguing. It certainly made my secondhand bookshops trips more filtered as his books now add on to the evergrowing list.
Book Season = Year Round (move the sun)
September 19, 2007
My sister bought my grandfather a wood engraving by Barry Moser, which he liked very much. Being the sort of man who delves a little further into something that he likes, my grandpa made inquiries into whether this Moser fellow had written any books. Well, you could say that yes, Barry Moser does write books. After reading it himself, he passed it on to me (I had just started taking art classes at my university), thinking I would enjoy it.
The short review is this: If you make things, read this book. Not just "art" things, but if you write, sing, build furniture, are a mechanic, stuff mattresses, whatever. It will be one of the most important things that you ever read.
Okay, the longer review. Anyone who enjoys a hobby of some sort will always struggle with it. Young "artistic types" (myself included) will be discouraged by failure time and time again. We've all come across those amazing people who seem to have amazing things flow from their fingertips like one of those springs that seem to come from nowhere and never stop. Jealous, ever? Barry Moser tells us to stop feeling small or sorry or inept or whatever, and just get to work. Nothing will ever come from nothing, so don't lament that you're not a natural-born artist. No one is, he says. More than anything else that I read or experienced in my university and "artistic" career galvanized me into working harder than this book. Made me understand what failure really is, and how to recognize (or maybe not) a real success. This book lifts despairing object-makers out of their sorrow, and brings those god-like figures back down to earth. It will make you realize that we are all on a relatively flat playing field, and the only thing that will really make a difference in the end is ourselves, and what we do with that.
Read this book, even if you don't like his style. If lofty, flowery sentences half a page long are your thing, you'll be disappointed. Moser is to the point about his opinions, and makes no excuses for himself. These are his views; he's not drawing from some other source or going to make excuses for himself. The book jumps from personal accounts to speeches to opinion pieces.
The short review is this: If you make things, read this book. Not just "art" things, but if you write, sing, build furniture, are a mechanic, stuff mattresses, whatever. It will be one of the most important things that you ever read.
Okay, the longer review. Anyone who enjoys a hobby of some sort will always struggle with it. Young "artistic types" (myself included) will be discouraged by failure time and time again. We've all come across those amazing people who seem to have amazing things flow from their fingertips like one of those springs that seem to come from nowhere and never stop. Jealous, ever? Barry Moser tells us to stop feeling small or sorry or inept or whatever, and just get to work. Nothing will ever come from nothing, so don't lament that you're not a natural-born artist. No one is, he says. More than anything else that I read or experienced in my university and "artistic" career galvanized me into working harder than this book. Made me understand what failure really is, and how to recognize (or maybe not) a real success. This book lifts despairing object-makers out of their sorrow, and brings those god-like figures back down to earth. It will make you realize that we are all on a relatively flat playing field, and the only thing that will really make a difference in the end is ourselves, and what we do with that.
Read this book, even if you don't like his style. If lofty, flowery sentences half a page long are your thing, you'll be disappointed. Moser is to the point about his opinions, and makes no excuses for himself. These are his views; he's not drawing from some other source or going to make excuses for himself. The book jumps from personal accounts to speeches to opinion pieces.
August 11, 2014
Persistence is Barry Moser's key to pulling and pushing through failure toward success. Read and weep in the face of presumptions!
May 18, 2009
Smart, smart man.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews