Synopses & Reviews
Born to working-class parents in a small town in Italy, and reared in Chicago, Ivan Brunetti (b. 1967) was drawn to cartoons and comic strips from an early age. Finding inspiration in Spider-Man and Peanuts, he began crafting his own stories and gradually developed a unique style that he applied to imaginative, sometimes shocking subjects. The dark humor of his graphic novels earned him a cult following, yet his illustrations have had broad appeal. Now recognized as an award-winning cartoonist and illustrator, Brunetti has published his work in the New Yorker, the New York Times Magazine, and McSweeneyandrsquo;s, among others.
This eye-popping illustrated autobiography by Brunetti traces his artistic trajectory and output, from youthful doodles to his latest cover illustrations and comic strips. Aesthetics: A Memoir unearths a trove of previously unpublished materials, including working drawings, sketches for cartoons, book covers, personal photographs, and items from the artistandrsquo;s collection of toys and handmade objects. In an introductory essay and captions, Brunetti explainsandmdash;in a voice that is as quirky, smart, and clear as his drawingsandmdash;his creative process and aesthetic sensibility. This overarching retrospective conveys Brunettiandrsquo;s philosophy of life and cartooning through his keen words and unforgettable images.
Review
and#8220;A handsomely designed encapsulation of the artistic life of a unique American illustrator . . . essential for fans but fascinating for those new to Brunettiand#8217;s work as well.and#8221;andnbsp;and#8212;Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
Review
"Indispensable . . . superbly designed . . . an appropriately indefinable book for an artist whose distinct career phases defy convention."and#8212;Jeffrey O. Gustafson, The Comic Pusher
Review
"[A] handsome collection . . . the curation and captions here might make this his most revealing work yet . . . [an] impressive volume."and#8212;Jake Austin, Chicago Tribune
Review
and#8220;Great moments of insight into cartooning . . . [and] wise advice from a true professional.and#8221;and#8212;Publishers Weekly
Review
and#8220;The happiest surprise of the year . . . reminds us how much fun Brunetti is as a cartoonist.and#8221;and#8212;Tom Spurgeon, Comics Reporter
Review
and#8220;Aesthetics is as expertly curated and devoutly minimalist as [Brunettiand#8217;s] other projects, and his insights into life and craft are real and pragmaticand#8212;and funny.and#8221;and#8212;Sean Rogers, Globe and Mail
Review
“Engaging and inspiring”—Whitney Matheson, USA Today “Pop Candy” blog Sean Rogers - Globe and Mail
Review
and#8220;A fascinating read . . . a little gem.and#8221;and#8212;R. Sukumar, Mint
Review
and#8220;A fascinating tour of Brunettiand#8217;s mind . . . some of the most formally virtuosic page compositions in Brunettiand#8217;s entire oeuvre . . . a joy to collectors, students, and scholars of the medium.and#8221;and#8212;David M. Ball, Los Angeles Review of Books
Review
Winner of the 2013 Great Midwest Book Festival in the Photography/Art category, given by JM Northern Media LLC
Review
and#8220;Engaging and inspiringand#8221;and#8212;Whitney Matheson, USA Today and#8220;Pop Candyand#8221; blog
Synopsis
Aand#160;glimpse inside theand#160;mind and artistic process of a fascinating contemporary cartoonistand#160;
Synopsis
A glimpse inside the mind and artistic process of a fascinating contemporary cartoonist
Born to working-class parents in a small town in Italy, and reared in Chicago, Ivan Brunetti (b. 1967) was drawn to cartoons and comic strips from an early age. Finding inspiration in Spider-Man and Peanuts, he began crafting his own stories and gradually developed a unique style that he applied to imaginative, sometimes shocking subjects. The dark humor of his graphic novels earned him a cult following, yet his illustrations have had broad appeal. Now recognized as an award-winning cartoonist and illustrator, Brunetti has published his work in the New Yorker, the New York Times Magazine, and McSweeney's, among others.
This eye-popping illustrated autobiography by Brunetti traces his artistic trajectory and output, from youthful doodles to his latest cover illustrations and comic strips. Aesthetics: A Memoir unearths a trove of previously unpublished materials, including working drawings, sketches for cartoons, book covers, personal photographs, and items from the artist's collection of toys and handmade objects. In an introductory essay and captions, Brunetti explains--in a voice that is as quirky, smart, and clear as his drawings--his creative process and aesthetic sensibility. This overarching retrospective conveys Brunetti's philosophy of life and cartooning through his keen words and unforgettable images.
Synopsis
The fascinating contemporary cartoonist Ivan Brunetti explains his creative process, artistic trajectory, and obscure interests in this eye-popping account filled with drawings, doodles, ephemera, and sketches spanning multiple decades.
About the Author
Ivan Brunetti has published several graphic novels and taught courses on editorial illustration and comics at the University of Chicago and Columbia College Chicago.