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An Artist's Life
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.
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.
122 pages, Paperback
Published December 10, 2024
1809 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 23, 2025
MY THOUGHTS -
There are so many reasons and so many ways to enjoy this book. First, of course, there are the numerous self portraits themselves. Each one different and unique. It is interesting to see them change throughout the book. There are also other drawings and sketches from Carlton Davis as well as pictures of artwork from other artists such as Van Gogh, Matisse, Frida Kahlo, and Andy Warhol just to name a few.
Then there is the fascinating story of Carlton, his wife and daughter and their breakup. His struggles with bipolar disorder, drug use and sadly, trying to destroy himself. Finally with professional help, a couple trips to the psych ward, rehab and medication he was able to overcome and basically get his life back on track.
But between all of this, there is also a lot of history. American history and art history. Such as the LA riots and the beating of Rodney King, the Black Panthers, the execution of Gary Gilmore, Mickey Mouse and the making of Fantasia, and even the attack on the twin towers.
This book was absolutely fascinating. It was very well done with something to look at and something interesting to take away from every page. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Author Marketing Experts. Thank You!
There are so many reasons and so many ways to enjoy this book. First, of course, there are the numerous self portraits themselves. Each one different and unique. It is interesting to see them change throughout the book. There are also other drawings and sketches from Carlton Davis as well as pictures of artwork from other artists such as Van Gogh, Matisse, Frida Kahlo, and Andy Warhol just to name a few.
Then there is the fascinating story of Carlton, his wife and daughter and their breakup. His struggles with bipolar disorder, drug use and sadly, trying to destroy himself. Finally with professional help, a couple trips to the psych ward, rehab and medication he was able to overcome and basically get his life back on track.
But between all of this, there is also a lot of history. American history and art history. Such as the LA riots and the beating of Rodney King, the Black Panthers, the execution of Gary Gilmore, Mickey Mouse and the making of Fantasia, and even the attack on the twin towers.
This book was absolutely fascinating. It was very well done with something to look at and something interesting to take away from every page. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Author Marketing Experts. Thank You!
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April 9, 2025Inspirational and Empowering
"An Artist's Life" by Carlton Davis and Peter Lownds is a fascinating memoir and collection of self-portraits that reflect upon Carlton's life as both an artist and as a unique individual desperately searching for peace, love, and fulfillment. I like how he researched other artists and found a connection with them, which was very eye-opening (being an artist myself, I can relate to this). I admire his transparency with his mental health struggles, along with his courage to seek help for it, which many people struggle to do. He turned his life around and discovered coping mechanisms to deal with anxiety and depression, allowing him to build up his self-confidence, especially as an artist. I like how he uses humor throughout the book, which I'm sure many people will appreciate and relate to. My favorite part about this book is how he used the power of his creative mind to his advantage to defeat his mental health issues. How inspirational and empowering! I highly recommend this book to all readers who are looking for creative inspiration and insight into mental health issues.
"An Artist's Life" by Carlton Davis and Peter Lownds is a fascinating memoir and collection of self-portraits that reflect upon Carlton's life as both an artist and as a unique individual desperately searching for peace, love, and fulfillment. I like how he researched other artists and found a connection with them, which was very eye-opening (being an artist myself, I can relate to this). I admire his transparency with his mental health struggles, along with his courage to seek help for it, which many people struggle to do. He turned his life around and discovered coping mechanisms to deal with anxiety and depression, allowing him to build up his self-confidence, especially as an artist. I like how he uses humor throughout the book, which I'm sure many people will appreciate and relate to. My favorite part about this book is how he used the power of his creative mind to his advantage to defeat his mental health issues. How inspirational and empowering! I highly recommend this book to all readers who are looking for creative inspiration and insight into mental health issues.
May 26, 2025
MY Thoughts
There are so many reasons and so many ways to enjoy this book. First, of course, there are the numerous self portraits themselves. Each one different and unique. It is interesting to see them change throughout the book. There are also other drawings and sketches from Carlton Davis as well as pictures of artwork from other artists such as Van Gogh, Matisse, Frida Kahlo, and Andy Warhol just to name a few.
Then there is the fascinating story of Carlton, his wife and daughter and their breakup. His struggles with bipolar disorder, drug use and sadly, trying to destroy himself. Finally with professional help, a couple trips to the psych ward, rehab and medication he was able to overcome and basically get his life back on track.
But between all of this, there is also a lot of history. American history and art history. Such as the LA riots and the beating of Rodney King, the Black Panthers, the execution of Gary Gilmore, Mickey Mouse and the making of Fantasia, and even the attack on the twin towers.
This book was absolutely fascinating. It was very well done with something to look at and something interesting to take away from every page. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Author Marketing Experts. Thank You!
There are so many reasons and so many ways to enjoy this book. First, of course, there are the numerous self portraits themselves. Each one different and unique. It is interesting to see them change throughout the book. There are also other drawings and sketches from Carlton Davis as well as pictures of artwork from other artists such as Van Gogh, Matisse, Frida Kahlo, and Andy Warhol just to name a few.
Then there is the fascinating story of Carlton, his wife and daughter and their breakup. His struggles with bipolar disorder, drug use and sadly, trying to destroy himself. Finally with professional help, a couple trips to the psych ward, rehab and medication he was able to overcome and basically get his life back on track.
But between all of this, there is also a lot of history. American history and art history. Such as the LA riots and the beating of Rodney King, the Black Panthers, the execution of Gary Gilmore, Mickey Mouse and the making of Fantasia, and even the attack on the twin towers.
This book was absolutely fascinating. It was very well done with something to look at and something interesting to take away from every page. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Author Marketing Experts. Thank You!
May 30, 2025
An Artist Life by Carlton Davis with Peter Lownds is a book about the Artist Carlton Davis and his 50 years of self portraits. I mean wow, the self portraits are all different and special as you see them in this book. I also love how the author put in information on the other artists like Van Gogh as an example. There are so many ways to read this book and there is so much to the story of Carlton Davis and his family life also, and how as an artist, he suffered for his artwork and in his life. Alot of artists unfortunately have this same story about how they have had trauma, suffering, life happen to them in horrible and unexplainable ways sometimes. There is so much in this book about historical America also. You get to see a lot of what happened during these 50 years of the artisit's self portraits as well. It has such a message of strength and never giving up in this book, it was a superb read and I am so glad that it was sent my way!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews