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Typewritten Portraits
The great writers of the 20th century physically experienced what they wrote. They filled small rooms with the sound of it. They hunched and pounded and swung with a hypnotic rhythm: clack-clack-clack-clack-ding-kashonk!-clack-clack-clack. They thought about what they'd put down, then hammered it out, marking out typos and misplaced words and even entire lines with x's, revealing their very human process in hard marks on the white paper.
My typewritten portraits honor the creations of writers who've been formative in my life. I start by typing out the first several pages of their book onto one big page with my wide format typewriter. This mimics the experience of their original creation; the manuscript, complete with x'ed-out typos, with which they first presented their words. Next, I create a portrait of the author and overlay it on the page, marking it out letter by letter to form the darker and lighter areas. I then feed the page back into the typewriter where these pencil marks serve as a guide, allowing me to type over each letter with a new ribbon color.
Framed Prints
Octavia Butler
14" x 17".
In 1995, Octavia Butler was the first sci-fi writer to win the MacArthur Genius grant. She'd already won multiple Hugo and Nebula awards.
Parable of the Sower is a captivating example of her talent. The novel tells the story of a young "empath" leading other children through a tortured, post-apocalyptic America towards the promise of safety. It's a page turner that masterfully explores the nature of leadership, examines the foundations of religion and religious loyalty, and gives perspective on classism in regards to environmental issues.
This portrait honors the long hours she spent writing it on her cherished Olivetti typewriter.
The process of writing on a typewriter is different from any other writing method. It's captured here in the visual texture of the letters, the slight variations in spacing, the typos that come from the necessity of always moving forward. It's fully legible and clear, allowing you (or visitors to your home) to actually read first couple of chapters of the book as they stare at your wall.
This is a digital print on archival matte paper. It's very high resolution, virtually indistinguishable from the original, and will arrive rolled in a tube.
Other format options:
+ Framed & matted: simple black frame, off-white matte and acrylic glass.
+ The original is also currently still available.
In 1995, Octavia Butler was the first sci-fi writer to win the MacArthur Genius grant. She'd already won multiple Hugo and Nebula awards.
Parable of the Sower is a captivating example of her talent. The novel tells the story of a young "empath" leading other children through a tortured, post-apocalyptic America towards the promise of safety. It's a page turner that masterfully explores the nature of leadership, examines the foundations of religion and religious loyalty, and gives perspective on classism in regards to environmental issues.
This portrait honors the long hours she spent writing it on her cherished Olivetti typewriter.
The process of writing on a typewriter is different from any other writing method. It's captured here in the visual texture of the letters, the slight variations in spacing, the typos that come from the necessity of always moving forward. It's fully legible and clear, allowing you (or visitors to your home) to actually read first couple of chapters of the book as they stare at your wall.
This is a digital print on archival matte paper. It's very high resolution, virtually indistinguishable from the original, and will arrive rolled in a tube.
Other format options:
+ Framed & matted: simple black frame, off-white matte and acrylic glass.
+ The original is also currently still available.
Malcolm X
18" x 24".
Malcolm X told his autobiography to Alex Haley, who typed it into the Remington electric typewriter that sat between them day after day. It captured a definitive time in Malcolm X's life. Over the clatter of the keys, he explained his feelings about race relations in America, even as he began to change his thinking and broaden his understanding of Islam as it is practiced worldwide the worldwide.
I created the portrait by typing and retyping the words of this book to form a portrait. The process of writing on a typewriter is different from anything other writing style. It's captured here in the visual texture of the letters, the slight variations in spacing, the typos that come from the necessity of always moving forward. It's a charming reference to the time and effort Malcolm X put in to have his story documented. It's fully legible and clear, allowing you (or visitors to your home) to actually read first couple of chapters of the book as they stare at your wall.
This is a digital print on archival matte paper. It's very high resolution, virtually indistinguishable from the original, and will arrive rolled in a tube.
Other format options:
+ Framed & matted: simple black frame, off-white matte and acrylic glass.
+ The original is also currently still available.
Malcolm X told his autobiography to Alex Haley, who typed it into the Remington electric typewriter that sat between them day after day. It captured a definitive time in Malcolm X's life. Over the clatter of the keys, he explained his feelings about race relations in America, even as he began to change his thinking and broaden his understanding of Islam as it is practiced worldwide the worldwide.
I created the portrait by typing and retyping the words of this book to form a portrait. The process of writing on a typewriter is different from anything other writing style. It's captured here in the visual texture of the letters, the slight variations in spacing, the typos that come from the necessity of always moving forward. It's a charming reference to the time and effort Malcolm X put in to have his story documented. It's fully legible and clear, allowing you (or visitors to your home) to actually read first couple of chapters of the book as they stare at your wall.
This is a digital print on archival matte paper. It's very high resolution, virtually indistinguishable from the original, and will arrive rolled in a tube.
Other format options:
+ Framed & matted: simple black frame, off-white matte and acrylic glass.
+ The original is also currently still available.
Kurt Vonnegut
14" x 17".
"Cat's Cradle" is an imaginative post-WWII look at the development of a cataclysmic chemical weapon in a world dominated by the fictional Bokononism religion. It's a riveting story. Kurt Vonnegut wrote it on a Smith-Corona typewriter.
This typewritten portrait honors Vonnegut's slow, methodical, finger-pounding work typing out this novel. The process of writing on a typewriter is different from anything other writing style. The first couple of chapters are captured here, alive in the visual texture of the letters, the slight variations in spacing, the typos that come from the necessity of always moving forward. It's fully legible and clear, allowing you (or visitors to your home) to actually start reading the book as they stare at your wall.
This is a digital print on archival matte paper. It's very high resolution, virtually indistinguishable from the original, and will arrive rolled in a tube.
Other format options:
+ Framed & matted: simple black frame, off-white matte and acrylic glass.
+ The original is also currently still available.
"Cat's Cradle" is an imaginative post-WWII look at the development of a cataclysmic chemical weapon in a world dominated by the fictional Bokononism religion. It's a riveting story. Kurt Vonnegut wrote it on a Smith-Corona typewriter.
This typewritten portrait honors Vonnegut's slow, methodical, finger-pounding work typing out this novel. The process of writing on a typewriter is different from anything other writing style. The first couple of chapters are captured here, alive in the visual texture of the letters, the slight variations in spacing, the typos that come from the necessity of always moving forward. It's fully legible and clear, allowing you (or visitors to your home) to actually start reading the book as they stare at your wall.
This is a digital print on archival matte paper. It's very high resolution, virtually indistinguishable from the original, and will arrive rolled in a tube.
Other format options:
+ Framed & matted: simple black frame, off-white matte and acrylic glass.
+ The original is also currently still available.
John Steinbeck
14" x 17".
I'm a huge fan of John Steinbeck. I *love* Cannery Row, and East of Eden, and In Dubious Battle; they fascinate and terrify and inspire me. My favorite of all, though, is the lesser-known short novel The Moon Is Down. It's the story of a little town in northern Europe that never gives up when invading soldiers occupy it during WWII. What makes it so special: Steinbeck takes care to humanize the enemy. They're not soulless villains. They're people, with ambitions and remorse and complex motivations. That's why I chose it for the canvas of this portrait.
The process of writing on a typewriter is different from anything other writing style. This typewritten portrait honors the slow, methodical, finger-pounding work Steinbeck put in at his Hermes Baby typewriter typing out this powerful story. The first couple of chapters are captured here, alive in the visual texture of the letters, the slight variations in spacing, the typos that come from the necessity of always moving forward. It's fully legible and clear, allowing you (or visitors to your home) to actually start reading the book as they stare at your wall.
This is a digital print on archival matte paper. It's very high resolution, virtually indistinguishable from the original, and will arrive rolled in a tube.
Other format options:
+ Framed & matted: simple black frame, off-white matte and acrylic glass.
+ The original is also currently still available.
I'm a huge fan of John Steinbeck. I *love* Cannery Row, and East of Eden, and In Dubious Battle; they fascinate and terrify and inspire me. My favorite of all, though, is the lesser-known short novel The Moon Is Down. It's the story of a little town in northern Europe that never gives up when invading soldiers occupy it during WWII. What makes it so special: Steinbeck takes care to humanize the enemy. They're not soulless villains. They're people, with ambitions and remorse and complex motivations. That's why I chose it for the canvas of this portrait.
The process of writing on a typewriter is different from anything other writing style. This typewritten portrait honors the slow, methodical, finger-pounding work Steinbeck put in at his Hermes Baby typewriter typing out this powerful story. The first couple of chapters are captured here, alive in the visual texture of the letters, the slight variations in spacing, the typos that come from the necessity of always moving forward. It's fully legible and clear, allowing you (or visitors to your home) to actually start reading the book as they stare at your wall.
This is a digital print on archival matte paper. It's very high resolution, virtually indistinguishable from the original, and will arrive rolled in a tube.
Other format options:
+ Framed & matted: simple black frame, off-white matte and acrylic glass.
+ The original is also currently still available.
Aldo Leopold
14" x 17"
My friend Matt Markoff recommended "A Sand County Almanac" to me a few years ago. I was blown away by the beauty of Aldo Leopold's writing about nature, wildlife, and the relationship of humans to the great outdoors.
I used my vintage Royal typewriter to create this portrait, celebrating the writing process in the visual texture of the letters, the slight variations in spacing, the typos that come from the necessity of always moving forward. It's fully legible and clear, allowing you (or visitors to your home) to actually read first couple of chapters of the book as they stare at your wall.
This is a digital print on archival matte paper. It's very high resolution, virtually indistinguishable from the original, and will arrive rolled in a tube.
Other format options:
+ Framed & matted: simple black frame, off-white matte and acrylic glass.
My friend Matt Markoff recommended "A Sand County Almanac" to me a few years ago. I was blown away by the beauty of Aldo Leopold's writing about nature, wildlife, and the relationship of humans to the great outdoors.
I used my vintage Royal typewriter to create this portrait, celebrating the writing process in the visual texture of the letters, the slight variations in spacing, the typos that come from the necessity of always moving forward. It's fully legible and clear, allowing you (or visitors to your home) to actually read first couple of chapters of the book as they stare at your wall.
This is a digital print on archival matte paper. It's very high resolution, virtually indistinguishable from the original, and will arrive rolled in a tube.
Other format options:
+ Framed & matted: simple black frame, off-white matte and acrylic glass.
Harper Lee
14" x 17".
"To Kill a Mockingbird" captured my imagination. Harper Lee's book, written on her Underwood portable typewriter, brought the complicated politics and prejudices of a small southern town to life with unforgettable characters like Atticus Finch, Boo Radley, and Scout. Every time I read this masterful story I get goosebumps.
This portrait is a charming reference to the slow, methodical finger-pounding Lee put in to write this powerful novel. The process of writing on a typewriter is different from any other writing style. It's captured here in the visual texture of the letters, the slight variations in spacing, the typos that come from the necessity of always moving forward. It's fully legible and clear, allowing you (or visitors to your home) to actually read first couple of chapters of the book as they stare at your wall.
This is a digital print on archival matte paper. It's very high resolution, virtually indistinguishable from the original, and will arrive rolled in a tube.
Other format options:
+ Framed & matted: simple black frame, off-white matte and acrylic glass.
+ The original is also currently still available.
"To Kill a Mockingbird" captured my imagination. Harper Lee's book, written on her Underwood portable typewriter, brought the complicated politics and prejudices of a small southern town to life with unforgettable characters like Atticus Finch, Boo Radley, and Scout. Every time I read this masterful story I get goosebumps.
This portrait is a charming reference to the slow, methodical finger-pounding Lee put in to write this powerful novel. The process of writing on a typewriter is different from any other writing style. It's captured here in the visual texture of the letters, the slight variations in spacing, the typos that come from the necessity of always moving forward. It's fully legible and clear, allowing you (or visitors to your home) to actually read first couple of chapters of the book as they stare at your wall.
This is a digital print on archival matte paper. It's very high resolution, virtually indistinguishable from the original, and will arrive rolled in a tube.
Other format options:
+ Framed & matted: simple black frame, off-white matte and acrylic glass.
+ The original is also currently still available.
Hunter S. Thompson
24" x 18".
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is one of the most gripping, funny, and authentic books I've ever read. It's hard to remember that Hunter S. Thompson wrote it while sitting in a chair at a desk on a typewriter; it feels like he's right there describing the action as it happens. He's a master storyteller.
I typed this text sideways in homage to the drug-addled perspective of its original author. I used my vintage Royal typewriter, celebrating the writing process in the visual texture of the letters, the slight variations in spacing, the typos that come from the necessity of always moving forward. It's fully legible and clear, allowing you (or visitors to your home) to actually read first couple of chapters of the book as they stare at your wall.
This is a digital print on archival matte paper. It's very high resolution, virtually indistinguishable from the original, and will arrive rolled in a tube.
Other format options:
+ Framed & matted: simple black frame, off-white matte and acrylic glass.
+ Original. [Update: SOLD!]
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is one of the most gripping, funny, and authentic books I've ever read. It's hard to remember that Hunter S. Thompson wrote it while sitting in a chair at a desk on a typewriter; it feels like he's right there describing the action as it happens. He's a master storyteller.
I typed this text sideways in homage to the drug-addled perspective of its original author. I used my vintage Royal typewriter, celebrating the writing process in the visual texture of the letters, the slight variations in spacing, the typos that come from the necessity of always moving forward. It's fully legible and clear, allowing you (or visitors to your home) to actually read first couple of chapters of the book as they stare at your wall.
This is a digital print on archival matte paper. It's very high resolution, virtually indistinguishable from the original, and will arrive rolled in a tube.
Other format options:
+ Framed & matted: simple black frame, off-white matte and acrylic glass.
+ Original. [Update: SOLD!]
Ernest Hemingway
14" x 17".
Ernest Hemingway is like no other author. For Whom the Bell Tolls takes the reader straight into the Spanish mountains during the tragic Spanish Civil War, following the story of a young explosives engineer moving through the countryside he loved. Hemingway wrote it on a Royal typewriter.
This portrait honors the long hours Hemingway spent creating this classic novel. The process of writing on a typewriter is different from any other writing style. It's captured here in the visual texture of the letters, the slight variations in spacing, the typos that come from the necessity of always moving forward. It's fully legible and clear, allowing you (or visitors to your home) to actually read first couple of chapters of the book as they stare at your wall.
This is a digital print on archival matte paper. It's very high resolution, virtually indistinguishable from the original, and will arrive rolled in a tube.
Other format options:
+ Framed & matted: simple black frame, off-white matte and acrylic glass.
Ernest Hemingway is like no other author. For Whom the Bell Tolls takes the reader straight into the Spanish mountains during the tragic Spanish Civil War, following the story of a young explosives engineer moving through the countryside he loved. Hemingway wrote it on a Royal typewriter.
This portrait honors the long hours Hemingway spent creating this classic novel. The process of writing on a typewriter is different from any other writing style. It's captured here in the visual texture of the letters, the slight variations in spacing, the typos that come from the necessity of always moving forward. It's fully legible and clear, allowing you (or visitors to your home) to actually read first couple of chapters of the book as they stare at your wall.
This is a digital print on archival matte paper. It's very high resolution, virtually indistinguishable from the original, and will arrive rolled in a tube.
Other format options:
+ Framed & matted: simple black frame, off-white matte and acrylic glass.
Saul Alinsky
18" x 24".
Saul Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals" taught a generation of community organizers the basics of the craft. It famously influenced politicians Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, who wrote her senior thesis on “An Analysis of the Alinsky Model,” at Wellesley College in 1969. I created this piece by typing and retyping the words of Alinsky's book to form a portrait. I started with Chapter 3, "A Word about Words," which is my favorite section.
The process of writing on a typewriter is different from any other writing style. It's captured here in the visual texture of the letters, the slight variations in spacing, the typos that come from the necessity of always moving forward. It's a charming reference to the time and effort Saul Alinsky dedicated to writing this powerful book. It's fully legible and clear, allowing you (or visitors to your home) to actually read first couple of chapters of the book as they stare at your wall.
This is a digital print on archival matte paper. It's very high resolution, virtually indistinguishable from the original, and will arrive rolled in a tube.
Other format options:
+ Framed & matted: simple black frame, off-white matte and acrylic glass.
+ The original is also currently still available.
Saul Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals" taught a generation of community organizers the basics of the craft. It famously influenced politicians Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, who wrote her senior thesis on “An Analysis of the Alinsky Model,” at Wellesley College in 1969. I created this piece by typing and retyping the words of Alinsky's book to form a portrait. I started with Chapter 3, "A Word about Words," which is my favorite section.
The process of writing on a typewriter is different from any other writing style. It's captured here in the visual texture of the letters, the slight variations in spacing, the typos that come from the necessity of always moving forward. It's a charming reference to the time and effort Saul Alinsky dedicated to writing this powerful book. It's fully legible and clear, allowing you (or visitors to your home) to actually read first couple of chapters of the book as they stare at your wall.
This is a digital print on archival matte paper. It's very high resolution, virtually indistinguishable from the original, and will arrive rolled in a tube.
Other format options:
+ Framed & matted: simple black frame, off-white matte and acrylic glass.
+ The original is also currently still available.
Robert Heinlein
14" x 17".
"Stranger in a Strange Land" was a powerful book for me. I love Robert Heinlein's thought experiments: it's 1961, we're at the dawn of space travel, what would happen if a Martian culture interacted with ours?
I created the portrait by typing and retyping the words of Heinlein's classic novel to form a portrait. The process of writing on a typewriter is different from anything else. It's captured her in the texture of the letters, the slight variations in spacing, the typos that come from always moving forward. It's a charming reference to the time and effort Heinlein himself put in writing the book on his very own Underwood. It's fully legible and clear, allowing you (or visitors to your house) to actually read first couple of chapters of the book as they stare at your wall.
This is a digital print on archival matte paper. It's very high resolution, virtually indistinguishable from the original, and will arrive rolled in a tube.
Other format options:
+ Framed & matted: simple black frame, off-white matte and acrylic glass.
+ The original is also currently still available.
"Stranger in a Strange Land" was a powerful book for me. I love Robert Heinlein's thought experiments: it's 1961, we're at the dawn of space travel, what would happen if a Martian culture interacted with ours?
I created the portrait by typing and retyping the words of Heinlein's classic novel to form a portrait. The process of writing on a typewriter is different from anything else. It's captured her in the texture of the letters, the slight variations in spacing, the typos that come from always moving forward. It's a charming reference to the time and effort Heinlein himself put in writing the book on his very own Underwood. It's fully legible and clear, allowing you (or visitors to your house) to actually read first couple of chapters of the book as they stare at your wall.
This is a digital print on archival matte paper. It's very high resolution, virtually indistinguishable from the original, and will arrive rolled in a tube.
Other format options:
+ Framed & matted: simple black frame, off-white matte and acrylic glass.
+ The original is also currently still available.
Maya Angelou
14" x 17".
"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is an eye-opening classic. It's fascinating, painful, inspiring and beautifully written. Maya Angelou has an incredible talent with words.
The process of writing on a typewriter is different from anything other writing style. This typewritten portrait honors the slow, methodical, finger-pounding work Angelou put in at her Adler typewriter typing out her own amazing life story. The first couple of chapters are captured here, alive in the visual texture of the letters, the slight variations in spacing, the typos that come from the necessity of always moving forward. It's fully legible and clear, allowing you (or visitors to your home) to actually start reading the book as they stare at your wall.
This is a digital print on archival matte paper. It's very high resolution, virtually indistinguishable from the original, and will arrive rolled in a tube.
Other format options:
+ Framed & matted: simple black frame, off-white matte and acrylic glass.
+ Deluxe framing: a wider, more elegant, color-coordinated frame and matting.
+ The original is also currently still available.
"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is an eye-opening classic. It's fascinating, painful, inspiring and beautifully written. Maya Angelou has an incredible talent with words.
The process of writing on a typewriter is different from anything other writing style. This typewritten portrait honors the slow, methodical, finger-pounding work Angelou put in at her Adler typewriter typing out her own amazing life story. The first couple of chapters are captured here, alive in the visual texture of the letters, the slight variations in spacing, the typos that come from the necessity of always moving forward. It's fully legible and clear, allowing you (or visitors to your home) to actually start reading the book as they stare at your wall.
This is a digital print on archival matte paper. It's very high resolution, virtually indistinguishable from the original, and will arrive rolled in a tube.
Other format options:
+ Framed & matted: simple black frame, off-white matte and acrylic glass.
+ Deluxe framing: a wider, more elegant, color-coordinated frame and matting.
+ The original is also currently still available.
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