Getting Buff

I have a lot of books. A lot. Most of them are art books of some sort. My family picks on me for my extensive collection of books I don't read. I am not much of a reader. Sometimes a book will catch my eye and I give it a peek. Mostly I just gather them and place them on my bookshelves.

That may change. I have been giving my books a little more attention lately. Over the summer I read “The Artist's Way” by Julia Cameron and even did the homework. I loved it and plan to talk a group of artist friends into reading it with me next year.

I find most of my books at thrift stores for about a dollar each, sometimes even ten cents. I secretly think I am saving society's history, as the world seems to be forgetting books and everything in them. If I have them, I can read them, or not.

One book I got recently, I only picked because I thought it was absurd. “The Art Buff's Book” by Arthur Caddy. I picked up the yellow hardback book and thumbed through the pages (I usually pick a random page in the middle to assess whether or not I think it is worth reading).

I was taken aback by how awkward the writing was. It was very conversational with strange choices of words. Arthur the author was not only speaking in the first person to the reader, he was also having a back and forth conversation and including his inner monolog along with a side conversation with his brother. As a fellow awkward writer/talker, I was amused and intrigued. I decided for a buck, this little disaster should could home with me. Maybe I could talk someoone into reading it.

I got a lot of great books that day. When I got home, I placed them near the bookcase and wandered off.

Today my new Monet book caught my eye along with the beautiful Van Gogh with such detailed pictures. I started placing them on the shelves. At the bottom of the stack I found the yellow book again and peeked inside.

This awkward little gem was actually a very informative, creatvity boosting book. It was like having your own personal art teacher in your head. Sure, he’s weird like me, but he is actually giving great advice. I felt a little wtong for judging him so harshly. I should have appreciated the fact the he found a way to teach art without sounding boring and pompous.

ARThur Caddy seemed like a pretty cool guy. The copyright of his book is 1965.

Mr. Cady’s paintings were characterized by a sharp, distant, northern light and a small-town sense of intimacy and optimism. His work conveyed a deep, almost pantheistic affection for everything he painted, for the earth and particularly the sky, and for such mainstays of rural life as country stores, gas stations and rocking chairs.

‘’He was a wonderful man, full of humor and life and strength,’‘ Alexandra Anderson, senior editor of Portfolio magazine, said. ‘’He excelled at depicting the edges of country and the sites of daily life. He was concerned with humble subject matter, in essence, and he captured it in both a lucid and romantic way.’‘

New York Times

I started reading his book and was throughly sucked in. As you read it he gives you little assignments. I think it would be fun to follow along and try each thing. As an art buff, this may be perfect for me.

Who knows, I may just share my progress and we can both get buff together.