Journeyman

We have come to know Paper Tiger for its excellent high quality SF and Fantasy art publications. These are superb coffee-table accessories, drawing admiring glances and a quick, five minute, entertaining flip through. To my knowledge, however, there has never been such a splendid marriage of luscious art and entertaining text. The artwork is stunning, well that goes without saying, from a master in the medium for many years. The text, by Stephen Gallagher is diverse, consisting of a long interview with Chris as well as section introductions which meditate on art and the surroundings the interviews took place in. The interview covers Chris's life and work taking in many anecdotes as well as his method of work. The title of the book, Journeyman, comes from Chris's attitude; as a craftsman but not producing high art. Many would disagree, but without Gallagher's witty probing of his friend's dismissive surface, the text could have been stale and unengaging. As it is, art and interview encourage the reader to devour the book from cover to cover in one sitting. This must be a first for an art book!