Overview

An Artist's Life tells of artist, author, and architect Carlton Davis's relentless search for his soul's desire. With degrees in architecture, he works with luminary architects, but his métier is making art. He relates to the art stars while berating himself for lacking their talent and discipline. Yet his antennae are always alert. Despite terrifying mood swings, he is a keen observer of human nature which he documents with drawings and words. Life's travails bedevil Carlton. He attempts suicide, has a failed marriage, becomes addicted to crack cocaine, and discovers he contains a female self he calls Carlotta ""because she's a whole lotta Carl."" He struggles to sit in silent meditation, but ends up at a mental hospital, where a gifted psychiatrist proves to him that he is suffering from Bipolar I disorder and helps him initiate sobriety and recovery. Self-portraits grace every chapter of An Artist's Life, covering 50 years. At first glance, there appear to be a dozen sitters rather than one, but this shows the essence of Carl's harrowing unrest. An Artist's Life pleases the eye and ear, whether perused at random or read cover to cover. The book reflects a joyous collaboration between Davis and co-author Peter Lownds, who bring this moving story that combines art history, reminiscence, and the pleasure of success.

Full Product Details

9798991174824

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Reviews

The book is a confession, meditation, and an intimate self-study. All forms of artistic expression and emotional experience emerge from these fundamental elements. An Artist's Life is a life lived out loud. It is a moving portrait of what it means to seek meaning through art, even when the path is anything but linear. Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite There's more going on in this untamed autobiography than a short review can adequately capture. I live in this world, and I found it very relatable and authentic. I would suggest this book to anyone who's struggled as an artist, whether you've overcome those struggles or not, for that's the author's message. As Goethe remarks in Werther, it is always about the chase, never the conquest. Davis does a good job of reminding us of this in his no-holds-barred look at the complexities of a life devoted to art. Reviewed by Paul Knobloch for Reader View An Artist's Life by Carlton Davis is a beautiful, unfiltered work of self-reflection. The word ""memoir"" almost doesn't do it justice; it seems to me that Davis has essentially created a self-portrait using words as a medium. The book was exactly what I hoped and expected it would be, and by far my favorite read of the summer. At no point did this memoir feel whitewashed or sanitized-it was honest and blunt, and I loved every word of it. I enthusiastically rate An Artist's Life a full five out of five stars. There was absolutely nothing in this book that I didn't love. I'd like to give a particular shout-out to the editing team, as the book was technically flawless. This is definitely not a book for the lighthearted or for young readers, but if you are interested in a literary work of art, then I'd definitely recommend that you pick up a copy. Reviewed by Sandy Saucier An Artist's Life by Carlton Davis is a beautiful, unfiltered work of self-reflection. The word ""memoir"" almost doesn't do it justice; it seems to me that Davis has essentially created a self-portrait using words as a medium. The book was exactly what I hoped and expected it would be, and by far my favorite read of the summer.I was very moved by Davis's commitment to painting with the harsh colors of reality. At no point did this memoir feel whitewashed or sanitized-it was honest and blunt, and I loved every word of it. I enthusiastically rate An Artist's Life a full five out of five stars. There was absolutely nothing in this book that I didn't love. I'd like to give a particular shout-out to the editing team, as the book was technically flawless. This is definitely not a book for the lighthearted or for young readers, but if you are interested in a literary work of art, then I'd definitely recommend that you pick up a copy. Reviewed by Justen Christensen for the Online Book Club

Author Information

Carlton Davis is an author, artist, and architect. In 2024, Davis published a book that recounts 50 years of self-portraits. He wrote for LA Architect and was their design critic. In 2009, He published a book entitled Bipolar Bare, which documents his 40-year struggle with Bipolar Disorder. In September 2012, he published The Art Dockuments, the story of the Art Dock, the drive-by art gallery. In 2011 Davis had a one-man exhibition in the District Gallery, Downtown Los Angeles. He had writing residencies at Montalvo in Saratoga, CA and at the Dorland Mountain Arts Colony in Temecula, CA. Mr. Davis considers himself a draftsman, and sculptor as well as a writer. In his architectural practice he designed the North Hollywood Subway Station for Los Angeles' MTA Red Line, and the headquarters of the Los Angeles Mission for the homeless. He is known for incorporating artist's work in his projects. Carlton Davis was a lecturer in Architecture at UCLA, Woodbury University, and an assistant professor at the University of Wyoming. He taught drawing at Otis Art Institute. He graduated from Yale University and the University of London's Bartlett School of Architecture

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