Beauty Is A Rare Thing: works of Ian Johnson...

Artist Ian Johnson primarily paints images of Jazz musicians and authors. Although a huge jazz fan, Johnson's initial attraction to his subject matter was the personal style that many of Jazz legends of the 50's, 60's, 70's carried. The look was sharp and clean, an understated coolness permeated the culture. Johnson took these visual ques and added a modern sensibility to these characters. The poses and compositions are classic but the style they are rendered in is very modern. His use of the color and pattern mimics the improvisational nature of jazz and further enhances the modern nature of the work. This beautiful little book features the artwork of Ian Johnson, with over 60 full color reproductions of jazz portraits including Don Cherry, Chet Baker, Sammy Davis Jr., Eric Dolphy, Thelonius Monk, Louis Armstrong, Art Blakey, Nina Simone, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Ortnette Coleman, and many more. Smokin'.