AN EXCUSE
TO DRAW
Tommy Kane
P
erched on a little camping
director for more than thirty years.
stool, artist Tommy Kane
His style is inspired by comic artists
draws what he sees. His re-
like R. Crumb and James Jean, and by
markable career has taken him around
Mad Magazine—but his interpreta-
the world, and he has documented the
tions of the world are decidedly origi-
people and places he’s encountered in
nal. With a bag filled with pens and
his unique painting and drawing
watercolors, Kane records the world
style—on location—wherever he goes.
as he travels, bringing readers along
He calls New York home, but has a
for the ride. Witty descriptions and
growing international following.
observations accompany the hand-
An Excuse to Draw is the first
drawn, full-color illustrations found
book-length collection of Kane’s work,
throughout the book. Beautifully pro-
and it is filled with full-page illustra-
duced and exquisitely designed, An
tions and reproductions of pages tak-
Excuse to Draw is the perfect introduc-
en from his sketch books. Kane has
tion to the world of Tommy Kane.
worked in advertising as a creative
For a review copy or other
To place orders in the United
publicity inquiries, please contact: States or Canada, please contact
your local University of Chicago
Carrie Adams
Press sales representative or
Publicity Manager
contact the University of Chicago
Published by Henri Publishing University of Chicago Press
Press by phone at 1-800-621Distributed by the University [email protected]
2736.
773.702.4216
of Chicago Press
$34.95 | cloth
978-0-956-87383-5
216 pages
MY DRAWING BOOKS
8
9
San Francisco
.
KANE’S
JOURNEYS
12
.
Vietn
a
m
This book represents eight years worth of drawings. Just like Marco Polo
and Anthony Bourdain, I’ve circumnavigated the globe in search of groovy
adventures. I’ve actually been to many more places than are represented in this book.
It’s just that drawing in sketchbooks when I travel is a recent phenomenon for me. I used
to take bad snapshots that I never looked at, just like everyone else does. Never again.
13
AUGUST 2006
When I draw on the street, generally two groups of people approach
to each other. Sometimes this would even happen with large tour
me: African-American and Chinese men. They seem to be the most
groups. They had no qualms about doing it, and quite frankly, it didn’t
curious and have fewer inhibitions about approaching people they
bother me in the least. Chinese men would squat next to me with their
don’t know. I’m not saying this is 100% the case, but it happens
face inches from the paper while I drew. I can’t explain how good that
with such frequency that it’s worth noting. And I don’t mind being
made me feel — it was amazing.
approached on the street while I’m drawing.
People from other countries just don’t do that. No one wants to
24
When I was in Venice, Chinese tourists would come up to me, take
invade anyone’s space nor have theirs invaded. But I consider what
the sketchbook out of my hands without asking, and pass it around
I do a bit like street theater, and who doesn’t love a good audience?
25
54
55
MOROCCO
62
63
68
69
JAPAN
88
89
94
95
112
113
126
127
140
141
160
161
172
173