I’m excited about this book! I think musicians, particularly blues musicians, would be great sources for this book. For example, Furry Lewis was a street sweeper almost his entire life and John Lee Hooker worked at an auto plant while recording his first hit singles
Hi Mason, I have been married to an artist for 45 years. The economy and gentrification has changed where he has worked and our lives together considerably. For year's he can could get good studio spaces for about 25 cents/ sq. ft. Now these space are condos and upscale shops and he is working in the bedroom with a storage space to house all his work. I hope you will be able to include artists living in recent times. I loved your first book and have ordered your book on women in the arts. Good luck!!
First - great news! I'm really enjoying your newsletters - and it's a great topic
Second - Kafka is quoting Moby Dick ch. 32. Melville talking about writing his book. “For small erections may be finished by their first architects; grand ones, true ones, ever leave the copestone to posterity. God keep me from ever completing anything. This whole book is but a draught—nay, but the draught of a draught. Oh, Time, Strength, Cash, and Patience!”
This is SO GREAT. Warmest congratulations, and godspeed! If anyone is equipped to crush this, it's you.
I'm curious what era(s) the book will span. I ask because Kickstarter, Patreon, GoFundMe, and other contemporary crowdfunding initiatives are fascinating. Think of what Amanda Palmer, for instance, has done over and over again, under great scrutiny/criticism.
Congratulations, when I read the title I thought "man this is a great idea", how come noone ever wrote on this subject ! Makes total sense with your editorial posture. As for your deadline, you can do anything you set your mind to (quote Eminem ;). Looking forward to reading it !
The new Magritte biography talks about his career as an art forger (including Cezanne), I was shocked! But of course Genet was a criminal early on as well.
Arriving late to this thread but VERY EXCITED about this topic and love your humble, brass tacks strategy to getting it done!!! Will you touch on artists whose work is possible, in part, by virtue of their roles as primary householders (with partners who provide financial support)? Not quite patronage since they are doing lots of other non W-2 work in addition to their art, but still....I feel like these artists—traditionally women—are often not taken as seriously ...On another note, consider the story of recently passed "The Screaming Eagle of Soul" Charles Bradley, who worked as a cook and James Brown impersonator for twenty years before being discovered in his 50s. His unwavering positivity, commitment, and hope in the face of living on the streets and other difficulties is beyond inspiring. Thanks, Mason, for just "keep[ing] your hand moving" (Natalie Goldberg)--your work is changing lives and making the world a better place!
Hi Mason, Reading this one post, having just discovered Substack, prompts me to subscribe. I love your book project. This is an angle on the history of artists I've never seen before and look forward to reading it all. Please do write it!!! I am a lifetime artist rebuilding myself after a fire destroyed everything. There is something strangely magical about having one's slate wiped clean. Starting over isn't so much scary as it is liberating. IDEA - If you haven't explored him yet, I suggest Monet's struggles with cataracts and the scary surgeries he went through before he was able to do his final masterpieces of the water lilies.
I want to read it NOW!
I’m excited about this book! I think musicians, particularly blues musicians, would be great sources for this book. For example, Furry Lewis was a street sweeper almost his entire life and John Lee Hooker worked at an auto plant while recording his first hit singles
Hi Mason, I have been married to an artist for 45 years. The economy and gentrification has changed where he has worked and our lives together considerably. For year's he can could get good studio spaces for about 25 cents/ sq. ft. Now these space are condos and upscale shops and he is working in the bedroom with a storage space to house all his work. I hope you will be able to include artists living in recent times. I loved your first book and have ordered your book on women in the arts. Good luck!!
First - great news! I'm really enjoying your newsletters - and it's a great topic
Second - Kafka is quoting Moby Dick ch. 32. Melville talking about writing his book. “For small erections may be finished by their first architects; grand ones, true ones, ever leave the copestone to posterity. God keep me from ever completing anything. This whole book is but a draught—nay, but the draught of a draught. Oh, Time, Strength, Cash, and Patience!”
This is SO GREAT. Warmest congratulations, and godspeed! If anyone is equipped to crush this, it's you.
I'm curious what era(s) the book will span. I ask because Kickstarter, Patreon, GoFundMe, and other contemporary crowdfunding initiatives are fascinating. Think of what Amanda Palmer, for instance, has done over and over again, under great scrutiny/criticism.
Congratulations, when I read the title I thought "man this is a great idea", how come noone ever wrote on this subject ! Makes total sense with your editorial posture. As for your deadline, you can do anything you set your mind to (quote Eminem ;). Looking forward to reading it !
I always thought this was a quote from Melville. Google search confirmed this. Did you find it attributed to Kafka?
Loved learning about the new book and now even more excited about it! Godspeed!
Very excited to hear about the new book. Can't wait to read it!
The new Magritte biography talks about his career as an art forger (including Cezanne), I was shocked! But of course Genet was a criminal early on as well.
Arriving late to this thread but VERY EXCITED about this topic and love your humble, brass tacks strategy to getting it done!!! Will you touch on artists whose work is possible, in part, by virtue of their roles as primary householders (with partners who provide financial support)? Not quite patronage since they are doing lots of other non W-2 work in addition to their art, but still....I feel like these artists—traditionally women—are often not taken as seriously ...On another note, consider the story of recently passed "The Screaming Eagle of Soul" Charles Bradley, who worked as a cook and James Brown impersonator for twenty years before being discovered in his 50s. His unwavering positivity, commitment, and hope in the face of living on the streets and other difficulties is beyond inspiring. Thanks, Mason, for just "keep[ing] your hand moving" (Natalie Goldberg)--your work is changing lives and making the world a better place!
I am so excited about this book! Can't wait to read it! :)
Hi Mason, Reading this one post, having just discovered Substack, prompts me to subscribe. I love your book project. This is an angle on the history of artists I've never seen before and look forward to reading it all. Please do write it!!! I am a lifetime artist rebuilding myself after a fire destroyed everything. There is something strangely magical about having one's slate wiped clean. Starting over isn't so much scary as it is liberating. IDEA - If you haven't explored him yet, I suggest Monet's struggles with cataracts and the scary surgeries he went through before he was able to do his final masterpieces of the water lilies.
Congratulations! Can't wait to read!
Consider my anticipation stoked!
You had me a Titian & Durer! Good luck with this project and don't fart around starting it :)