The Artist Within

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 16:25 -0700

Greg Preston's book, The Artist Within, is scheduled to be out just in time for San Diego (it was originally scheduled for last year). Greg has spent about 20 years photographing artists in their studios. The results are beautiful.

I'm in the book, as are Scott Shaw!, Sergio, and so many others. Some, like Jack Kirby and Alex Toth, have already passed on. It should be available at the Dark Horse booth at Comic-con. This would be an excellent book in which to collect autographs, or just to see where artists work. It will also be available through Previews, and can be ordered through book and comic book stores.

Here is a link to a few sample pages:

http://www.darkhorse.com/downloads.php?did=623

Post by **Steve Hubbell** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 22:07 -0700

Cool photo of Sergio in the preview section, not to mention all the other pages they let you see. Unfortunately, they don't let you read the text that is included with each photo of the preview, which was kind of a bummer.

I think I will be buying a copy of this book to go with my copy of The Faces of Fantasy (by Photographer Patti Perret - Tor Books, October 1996), a similar type of volume containing photos and commentary about numerous fantasy fiction authors.

Out of curiosity, how long ago did Greg Preston visit you in your studio?

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 10:50 -0700

Steve Hubbell wrote: Out of curiosity, how long ago did Greg Preston visit you in your studio?

It must have been about 20 years since Greg photographed me. I was one of the very first. It was taken in my old studio.

It started because the LA Times did a feature on Scott Shaw!, and hired Greg to do the photography. Greg had told Scott about his idea to do a book about cartoonists in their studios. Scott knows almost everybody, so hooked Greg up with a bunch of names.

Most of the artists were very cooperative, but a few, like the reclusive Alec Toth, were difficult. Toth had a few stipulations: 1. the photo had to be taken on his porch, not in the studio; 2. Greg only had one minute; and 3. Toth allowed just one shot with a disposable camera. It turned out beautiful, but then Greg is a professional.

morna-san · Post by **morna-san** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 6:06 -0700

Gary spotted this in our favorite comic store yesterday and we splurged - actually it was not expensive. It's a beauty. I like seeing the various artist's studios. As you say Stan there's quite a time span and I kinda wish your entry was more current. It is nice though, to have guys like Eisner, Toth and Kirby who are no longer with us represented.
Who knew Art Adams was such a bolshevik.