The Art of Everyday Joe: A Collector’s Journal

Michael K. Corbin
AuthorHouse (2008)
ISBN 9781434332134
Reviewed by April Sullivan for Reader Views (6/08)




When I saw this book, my thoughts echoed a phrase on the back cover exactly, “Finally, It’s Here!”  A book that would explain the ins and outs of art collecting.  What type of art should I collect?  Who are the up-and-coming new artists?  Where do I find the best art?  What should I be looking for to make my art collection shine? 

In “The Art of Everyday Joe: A Collector’s Journal” I found the answers I needed, without finding the answers to any of these questions.  There is no right and wrong when looking at art, you go with what moves you.  I should have known that.  It was nice to have this book remind me in a subtle, easy manner. 

As an artist myself, I was also drawn to this book to find out how others view art.  What is an art collector looking for?  What does an art collector look like?  Where do I find them?  Again, I was expecting hard and fast answers.  I got a reminder in simplicity.  The art collectors are looking for the artists to create from their hearts so that they can buy from their hearts.  Art collectors are anyone and everyone.  The “Everyday Joe!”

Michael Corbin’s “The Art of Everyday Joe” is the second in a series of “Collector’s Journals.”  A writer by profession and lover of art, Michael uses essays on all topics to make the reader realize that art is all around us.  In his essays he talks about a varied range of topics such as rudeness, airports, and bubblewrap.  Some essays are about specific artists or art forms.  Others barely mention art at all.  But all have the same purpose -- to show us that collecting art is not stuffy and only for the rich.  Cover your walls from floor to ceiling with art from living, working artists.  Tear that Picasso image out of that magazine and frame it.  Revel in the beauty of the oatmeal box! 

In “The Art of Everyday Joe: A Collector’s Journal,” author Michael K. Corbin uses images from his art collection to enhance the book and complement the essays.  He did a great job of matching art with essays and showed a variety of art styles.  It was a pleasure flipping through and looking at the art, and I am sure quite a thrill for the author to show off his art collection to so many people.  Corbin’s writing style is simple, sometimes rambling, but always passionate, no matter the topic.  This series is exactly what the art world needs.  I expect Michael Corbin to spread the word far and wide.

Listen to interview with Michael Corbin

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