Congratulations to Peter Selgin on the publication of his latest book--Painting Stories: A Life in Pictures and Words

Congratulations to Professor Peter Selgin on the publication of his latest book, Painting Stories: a Life in Pictures and Words, just out with Serving House Books. 

PAINTING STORIES: a Life in Pictures and Words is a unique memoir of an artist’s life. For decades, Peter Selgin struggled to reconcile his two great passions, writing and visual art, feeling that he had to choose between them or fail at both. In this unique memoir pairing pictures with mini-essays, Selgin unites those two once irreconcilable passions. The result is a singular intimate portrait of a multi-talented artist’s life, his inspirations, his methods, his challenges, his anecdotes and adventures. With over 100 full-color illustrations.

“Entertaining, often hilarious, and deeply personal, Painting Stories pairs striking artwork with stories from the artist’s life. In one passage, Selgin wryly diagnoses himself with a ‘fatal’ disease: hypergraphia, the overwhelming urge to draw or write. Throughout these pages, he proves he excels at both.”.—Chika Unigwe, author of Grace and The Middle Daughter

“Painting Stories is an irresistible portrait of an artist. Pairing artworks with essays ranging from a childhood recollection of a first trip into Manhattan to the epiphany that led to his embrace of naïve art, Peter Selgin has created a book that is pure joy.” —Susan Forrest Castle, author of Richard Segalman: Black & White: Muses, Magic & Monotypes

“Rarely does a person show exceptional talent in two different creative disciplines. Selgin is that rare person. Part memoir, part travelogue and completely engaging, Painting Stories’ essays and pictures are filled with wit and whimsy. Having them side by side produces a most singular experience.” —Bob Marty, artist and Co-Founder GTOWNArts.com

“What an utterly charming book! What a way to see the world, and to live! Peter Selgin is one of our best contemporary storytellers, whether he’s telling a story in images or in words, and this latest collection combines his gifts in the most delightful, inspiring ways. Painting Stories is a memoir of artistic consciousness and the record of a charmed life.” —Cecilia Woloch, author of Tsigan and Earth

"Writing and art are the giant halves of Peter Selgin’s creative self. In "Painting Stories," a book so full of beauty, the two sides come together in a wonderful artist’s “reveal.” An inspiring art book with a glimpse backstage at the creator’s own inspiration." —Paulette Licitra

“Peter Selgin is a born writer, capable of taking any subject and exploring it from a new angle, with wit, grace and erudition.” —Oliver Sacks

Peter Selgin is the author of Drowning Lessons, winner of the Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction, two essay collections, three books on the craft of writing, three novels and several children’s books. His memoir, "The Inventors," won the 2017 Housatonic Book Award and was a finalist for the Bridge Translation Prize. His novel, "Duplicity," won the Best Indie Book Award and the Indie Excellence Book Award. His drama, "A God in the House," won the Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference award. His most recent novel, "A Boy’s Guide to Outer Space," was a runner-up for the Townsend Prize, Georgia’s top literary award. His visual art has appeared in the New Yorker, Forbes, Gourmet, The Wall Street Journal and exhibits throughout the country. He lives in Milledgeville, Georgia, and Granada, Spain.

Congratulations, Peter!