Synopses & Reviews
All of us struggle at one time or another with creative block. Always striking at the worst moment, it can leave you feeling completely paralyzed. Take solace in knowing that you are not alone. It happens to everyone and is actually an inevitable part of the creative process. Breakthrough!is a lively compilation of strategies for combating creative block offered by a who's who of leading graphic designers, typographers, cartoonists, photographers, illustrators, musicians, writers, and other creative professionals. Because every block is different, they offer a wide variety of solutions-from cleaning the house and eating spicy food to making a plaster cast of your hands and feet-that are surprising, amusing, at times weird, but always inspiring. Breakthrough! is rocket fuel for any creative individual in need of a catalyst to get ideas flowing again.
Review
"Crammed to the brim with whimsical line drawings depicting the subjects' hobbies, romantic partners, favorite articles of clothing, vices, and more, each page explodes with creative and intriguing details. Hancock has captured the essence of his subjects with these snarky and humorous mini-biographies. Browsers will be in for a treat, and more artistic readers may even be inspired to create their own portraits of celebrities or friends." - School Library Journal
Review
"In Artists, Writers, Thinkers, Dreamers: Portraits of Fifty Famous Folks and All Their Weird Stuff, artist James Gulliver Hancock illustrates historical icons in a fun, infographic style - surrounded by their possessions, baggage, favorite locations and personality quirks. You're guaranteed to come away with new facts to cover any lull in cocktail party conversation - Abraham Lincoln started Thanksgiving? Albert Einstein hated Scrabble and didn't believe in marriage? Take that awkward party silences!' - Design*Sponge
Synopsis
This cultural who's-who illuminates 50 famous figures, from Leonardo da Vinci to Coco Chanel, through the fascinating trivia of their lives. Artist James Gulliver Hancock depicts historical icons in quirky annotated portraits surrounded by their associated possessions, baggage, and foibles. Hemingway's hobbies, Amelia Earhart's preferred dessert, Martin Luther King Jr.'s favorite TV show—each portrait reveals the ordinary quirks of these extraordinary people and captures their personalities in the process. An exquisitely illustrated almanac and cultural literacy cheat sheet, this fun and informative collection offers both history buffs and art lovers a treasure trove of interesting facts about beloved artists, writers, thinkers, and dreamers.
About the Author
James Gulliver Hancock is an artist and illustrator based in Brooklyn, New York, and Sydney, Australia.