It’s interesting. My copy of this book has an autograph inside that says (in fluid sketch): “Jerry Saltz did not sign this because of COVID-19”—-and the “o” in “of” is the left eyeglass of a hand-drawn self-portrait. I might have an autographed copy and I might not—but if it’s a forgery, it’s a good one.

This inspirational little book contains 63 bits of advice in six categories organized chronologically throughout the life an artist. Jerry Saltz, a Pulitzer-winning critic himself, seeks to help encourage and inspire would-be artists to learn from history, pursue honesty, stretch their bounds, dedicate themselves, and not worry too much about what others think. In it, he also includes 12 very useful short exercises that involve both artistic freedom and critical thinking, and I think it would be a helpful addition to any artist’s library for those days when procrastination has gotten the better of him.

Things I Learned from the Book

I like to think of myself as an amateur artist. I sketch with ink and sometimes colored pencils. I dabble in watercolors and oils. I enjoy making decorative wall-hangs out of driftwood, keys, or pebbles. I occasionally carve wood and throw clay and “doodle” with LEGO bricks. I simply enjoy the expression that such avenues provide me, because I honestly don’t like it when my brain’s not working, and my hands aren’t moving. Thus, I found the many small bits of advice in this book to be like goads pushing me on to try new things without worrying about failure or criticism. Perhaps some other aspiring artists need the same.

Saltz includes a number of examples works in this book (including some nudes, FYI) and references many a famous artist whose style and perspective, though misunderstood by many, can be appreciated when approached from the right angle. Take for example Robert Ryman, a guy whose art gallery would likely bore the masses with his consistent use of nearly-white paint on virtually every piece he produced. Saltz encourages readers, though, in his exercise on page 70, to ask oneself a series of very important questions about Ryman the artist, his thinking, his settings, and the news around him while he painted. These bland squares and rectangles suddenly take on personality that fly-by glances easily miss, and Ryman goes from being a “kindergarten fingerpainter” to an artistic genius. The transformation, however, doesn’t happen in Ryman or his works but in the viewer, if he takes the effort to become a thoughtful critic.

Book Summary

I could very easily repeat Satlz’s 63 bits of advice from this book and call it a day, but that’d be unfair to the author. Some, too, simply wouldn’t make sense without his explanations (for example #18 Picasso and Matisse at the Border and #20 Art Is a Flatworm). Thus, I’ll just share his 6 categories and two of my favorites from each. Hopefully that’ll whet your appetite to try the book yourself (though I honestly can’t imagine reading this thing on Audible, despite it being an option!).

Step One: You are a total amateur – Things to think about before you even get started

• #3 “Tell your own story and you will be interesting.” (Louise Bougreois)
• #7 Recognize Convention—and Resist Constraint

Step Two: Hot to actually begin – An instructional manual for the studio

• #16 Imitate…Then Separate.
• #22 Find Your Own Voice—Then Exaggerate It.

Step Three: Learn to think like an artist – This is the fun part

• #27 All Art Is Subjective.
• #37 Make Art for Now, Not the Future.

Step Four: Enter the art world – A guide to the snake pit

• #40 Don’t Define Yourself by a Single Medium.
• #47 Learn to Write about Your Work.

Step Five: Survive the art world – Psychic strategies for dealing with the ugliness (inside and out)

• #50 Make an Enemy of Envy
• #55 Having a Family Is Fine

Step Six: Attain galactic brain – Cosmic epigrams from better heads and mine.

• #57 “Artists do not own the meaning of their work.” (Roberta Smith).
• #61 You Are Always Learning.

Saltz’s style in this book is both sharp and highly quotable, since he writes anywhere from a few sentences to a few pages explaining each of his 63 points. Although my own quotations book is filled, I’ll share only 3 here that I really liked.

Doubt is a sign of faith: it tests and humbles you, allows newness into your life. Best of all, doubt banishes the stifling effects of certainty. Certainty kills curiosity and change. (x)

Artists are terrific procrastinators, but our creative minds are working even when we are not; the coral reefs and tides of our inner life are still churning even when we’re cowering, immobilized, from fear of work… If you are an aspiring artist, I want you to remember: Nothing happens if you’re not working. But anything can happen when you are. (xi, xii)

The artist Laurel Nakadate points out that being a parent is already very much like being a an artist. It means always lugging things around, living in chaos, doing things that are mysterious or impossible or scary. As with art, children can drive you crazy all day, make you yearn for some peace and quiet. Then in a single second, at any point, you are redeemed with a moment of intense, transformative love. (110)

Conclusion

“The Art World” as it’s known is a place of snobbery, angst, idolatry, and sin. It’s nothing I want to promote or pursue, so take that at face value. Still, as a man of artistic expression myself, I appreciated the advice that Jerry Saltz provides in this book, and I believe it’d be a helpful, inspiring book for artists of all stripes. You might not agree with everything he says here (I don’t), but if you read it well, it’ll get you thinking and (hopefully) creating. Those are signs of a great book.

After reviewing it now, in fact, I think I’ll bust out the watercolors again later tonight and finish that portrait I began a month ago. I mean, there’s no better time for the procrastinating artist than “later,” right?

©2024 E.T.