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Everett Raymond Kinstler: The Artist's Journey Through Popular Culture 1942-1962 by Jim Vadeboncoeur Jr and Everett Raymond Kinstler
01/01/2006 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 
pub: Underwood Books. 228 page illustrated softcover. Price: $24.95 (US). ISBN: 1-887424-93-8. Buy from Amazon US - Buy from Amazon UK
nb: US titles may only be available from Amazon US, and UK titles from Amazon UK. check out websites: www.underwoodbooks.com and www.everettraymondkinstler.com/
I have to confess that when this book arrived, I was a little unsure why. Ray Kinstler might be a famous portraiture artist in the States but isn't really known over here in the UK. Although having investigated his website, then that's probably an understatement. He didn't start as a portrait painter. If you've seen any 50s American Romance or Western pulps, then there's a fair chance you might actually have seen some of his artwork and admired it. Kinstler has done a little work in Science Fiction but not as much as in other genres. What is interesting is that its all documented, ie the pictures themselves, in this book. It also gives an account of the life and times of an artist in the 40s to early 60s making a living as an artist, how he developed contacts and developed his skills. A clear indication that you have to start at the bottom before you can make your way to the top in any decade. If you're planning to be an artist or as a writer need some real life background for the time period, there is a lot to be learnt from this book. If you're an art historian then you will certainly want to own this book.
Kinstler is a very good artist to learn from. He is extremely good with line work and textured his illustrations that took into account the problems of printing at that time when black and white printing wasn't that good at fine detail and how Kinstler got around it. There are several examples in this book which compare the finished product to the original as well. The same can also be said for his painted covers and how they were done. It would be hoped that some enterprising publisher could convince Kinstler to do a masterclass how to book as it would sure to be successful.
The biography of Kinstler from this period is in the opening 50 pages with a whole host of people he became friendly with from other artists to writers and celebrities living the Bohemian life style. The text is lively and involving and I found it a delight to read.
I found this book quite an eye-opener. If you're only after SF art then I'm not sure if this book is for you. If you just like cover art in general or purely good work, then I think you might find it worth having a look at this book.
GF Willmetts
November 2005
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