WILD, WILD, WESTERNS

 

WILD, WILD, WESTERNS

The Art of Ron Lesser Vol 3

Edited by Robert Deis, Bill Cunningham & Tim Hewitt

Subtropic Productions – Pulp 2.0

152 pgs

 

Writing a review for an art book is daunting to say the least. With a traditional story novel, one can describe the plot, characters etc. etc. etc. Whereas with an art book, we humble reviewers can only use words to tell you about amazing, stunning, breathtaking visuals that are the product of one man’s talent. Yeah, it’s a challenge, but allow us to rant just a wee little bit and hopefully we will get our point across. 

Ron Lesser was born in 1941 and most of his life, this Manhattan native, was an illustrator and painter that specialized in paperback covers, comic books, magazines and film posters. From the mid 70s to the early 90s, Lesser was among the premier illustrators contributing painted book covers for publishers like Double Day, Dell, Avon, Bantam, Ace, Fawcett, Pyramid and dozens of others. Today most of his original paintings are done for art galleries. 

Men’s Magazines historian Bob Deis and design guru, Bill Cunningham, have begun producing beautiful volumes of Lesser’s work showcasing hundreds of his published works. In this third volume, dedicated to Lesser’s western art, they are joined by Tim Hewitt, another fan and authority on the artist’s career. 

What they have assembled is over a hundred pages of some of the most beautiful and memorable paperback covers and posters ever illustrated depicting the western genre. From outlaws, to gunfighters, cavalry men to Indian warriors, they are all here within these pages. Captured in a unique style that wondrously manages to capture both the authentic realism of the era and its idealized mythic romance. Going from page to page, we couldn’t help but marvel at Lesser’s skills throughout. Still, the editors saved the best for last in featuring his most recent work; paintings of Indians riders against rugged sun-drenched landscapes. 

“Wild, Wild, Westerns,” is a rare glimpse into the world of American illustration history by one of its greatest craftsmen.