BLOGMAS #9: CHRISTMAS LIST
Anybody who knows much about me can tell you that buying me presents is often boring, as just about the only thing that I love enough to ask for is books. Yes, I have way too many books. Yes, I purged over 500 books after my divorce, and I still have at least 500 on my shelves. I've ever curbed my habit as best I can by subscribing to Audible, which keeps me happy without taking up physical space. All that said, there are two books put out by friends of mine this year, and I want them both. Badly. So much so that they're the only two things on my list.
UH-OH, released this past September, is the new and best collection of Derrick C. Brown. It contains all new work from All The Energies of Death and the best selections from Derrick’s previous works: Born in the Year of the Butterfly Knife, Scandalabra, Strange Light, Our Poison Horse, and I Love You is Back.
I first met Derrick when I was an undergraduate student at the University of Arkansas. At that point, he'd released two poetry collections and won the California Independent Book Critic's award (in addition to holding a number of amazingly eclectic jobs, from paratrooper to gondolier). Since then, he's founded Write Bloody, consistently described as the best indie book publisher in the nation, written almost a half-dozen new books, and collaborated with a European opera to create Strange Light. Frankly, I will spend my money on everything Derrick produces. He's a hell of an artist and an even better friend.
Pen & Ink combines practical instruction with inspirational artwork to awaken a new generation of pen-and-ink enthusiasts.
Drawing with pen and ink has been a celebrated art form for centuries. In addition to ballpoint pen, today's pen-and-ink artists use a variety of tools, including fountain pens, graphic pens, and brushes to create photorealistic drawings. Pen & Ink, the premier title in Walter Foster's new Artistry series focusing on specialized fine-art mediums, combines practical instruction with inspirational art and photographs for a comprehensive guidebook designed to awaken a new generation of pen-and-ink enthusiasts. Professional pen-and-ink artists take readers on a creative journey through each of their distinct techniques, from learning basic pen techniques to stippling portraits and adding watercolor washes. Instructions for rendering each technique, as well as beautiful finished artwork across a variety of styles, give aspiring artists a contemporary look into working with pen and ink.
One of the authors, Desarae Lee, is not just one of my best friends, but the artist/illustrator I collaborated with on my newest collection of poetry, They Rewrote Themselves Legendary (look for more about the official release soon). To say that I'm a fanboy is to sell my enthusiasm for Desarae's art short. I own at least two dozen of her pieces, and the only thing holding me back from buying more is Mallerie.
