NDERSON — Artist David Liverett’s latest book, mixing his pointilism style and biography, focuses on country stars. With more than 200 artists, few are left out of “Those Grand Ole Country Music Stars.”
“It takes a lot of research to find out about these people. I’m not an authority but I’ve certainly got an education in country music,” said Liverett who lives with his wife on Anderson’s eastside.
“Two years ago, if you’d ask me who Rascal Flatts was, I wouldn’t know what you were talking about,” said Liverett who is becoming an “expert” in gospel and country stars.
“Those Grand Ole Country Music Stars” is to be published this week and Liverett will sign copies of that and his other books on Tuesday at Moneyhun’s Fine Gifts, 115 W. Eighth St.
Known for his previous eight books, this one follows the style set in his most recent “This is My Story,” featuring the world’s greatest gospel singers such as Elvis Presley and Bill, Danny and Gloria Gaither. Each full-page biography is accompanied by one of Liverett’s trademark sketches. Using pointilism — essentially dots that complete a portrait — his detailed pen-and-ink illustrations can each take up to 12 hours to finish.
His new book is dedicated to his guitar-playing father, Monroe William Liverett. As a youth, the artist and his two siblings were given a mandolin and guitar as Christmas gifts in hopes they would pick up their father’s skills.
“I just never picked it up. My wife plays piano, my son plays piano and trumpet but I didn’t get any musical talent at all,” acknowledged Liverett.
The new publication started a few years ago after “Just Beyond the Passage,” a compelling book that combines Liverett’s artworks of famous doorways with 60 guest essays.
“Country Stars” evolved from that concept.
The first selection was easy: Loretta Lynn. As he researched more, he studied younger artists including Carrie Underwood.
“I drew Johnny Cash in one day. .... He’s got a lot of black and that’s easy to draw. Black is easy in pen-and-ink drawings. What’s difficult is getting the shading,” he said. “That’s the only one I think I ever drew in one day.”
For example, Underwood’s page in “Country Stars” includes her date and location of birth (March 10, 1983 in Muskogee, Okla.), a quarter-page drawing and a biography noting that she was successfully picked by “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell to win the competition in 2005.
He researched each country stars and often gets touch with the artists or their representatives to confirm facts.
As a child, Liverett went to the “Grand Ole Opry” in Nashville with his dad, arriving as the show was beginning. There, they had a Coca-Cola and saw the late Opry star Minnie Pearl, who is among those featured in “Country Stars” book.
“All I remember is arriving late, the Coca-Cola and Minnie Pearl. But I tried to include people in the book that my Dad loved like Roy Acuff, Ernest Tubb, and the old-timers, Little Jimmy Dickens.
“But I certainly included the newer ones, too, like Carrie Underwood.”
Liverett’s previous books are “When Hope Shines Through,” “Faith for the Journey” “Love, Bridges of Reconciliation,” “Light from the Barn,” “This is My Story: 146 of the World’s Greatest Gospel Singers,” “They Called Him Sparky: Friends’ Reminiscences of Charles Schulz,” “Just Beyond the Passage” and “Oh, to be in Miss Collier’s Class again!”
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If you go ...
Artist and author David Liverett will sign copies of his books from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, at Moneyhun’s Fine Gifts, 115 W. 8th St., Anderson.
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December 20, 2008
Artist/author Liverett goes country
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