Al Parker: Illustrator Innovator (Hardcover)

The latest volume in our series highlighting the great American illustrators. This lavishly illustrated book covers every aspect of this important artist s career with authoritative articles hundreds of incredible full color illustrations and rarely seen photographs. One of America s best known magazine illustrators from the 1940 s to the 1960 s Al Parker was an innovator a trend setter and a constant experimenter. Each chapter describes his top work for every key American magazine from fiction illustrations to advertising to covers. He was the go-to artist in all the early slicks the highest peak a commercial artist could attain in his day. Colliers Ladie s Home Journal Cosmopolitan Good Housekeeping McCall s. And in genre pieces: Grand Prize Automobiles Jazz and the series Jane s Blanket plus Kit Parker films. A chapter captures his wonderful photography From Models to Print using beautiful models as well as himself and his family. A 1964 interview captures his thoughts at the peak of his career. His niece talks about growing up with Uncle Al in Carmel Valley California. Stephenie Plunkett writes about about Al Parker and the American Woman s Magazine 1940-60. David Apatoff writes about Parker s ability to change styles as effortlessly as you or I might change socks. In 1948 Norman Rockwell wrote Al a fan letter: It is simply extraordinary; your amazing creativeness taste and versatility. While the rest of us are working knee-deep in a groove [you] are forever changing and improving. You have brought more freshness charm and vitality to illustration than any other living illustrator.