The Virtuoso: Face to Face with 40 Extraordinary Talents - Hardcover

"The Virtuoso: Face to Face with 40 Extraordinary Talents" explores the often humble origins, passionate pursuits and unforeseen links between extraordinary talents who have transcended the possibilities of their given field. Each is a living role model for anyone who aspires to greatness. Some are world famous (Pele, Baryshnikov and Robin Williams), while others (storyteller Jackie Torrence, cartographer Stuart Allen and flytier Poul Jorgensen) are local legends. Many I have admired since my youth; other "hidden" talents were discovered in the course of my research. In fact, the unsung heroes turned out to be a valuable incentive for celebrities to participate in the book, since none of the virtuosos represented here are comfortable assigning superlatives to their achievements.

The easiest decision I had to make was inviting photographer Howard Schatz to join me on this adventure. I knew his skill would be on a par equal to the talents we were presenting and the breadth of his vision would capture their diverse personalities. He enthusiastically accepted and our journey began.

All my interviews consisted of the same questions: "What is your greatest gift?" "When did you realize you had a special talent?" "How do you maintain your craft?" "What do you fear?" among others. Gradually it became clear that beyond the specifics of each unique talent lay a set of universal truths—dedication, craft, a passion that borders on madness, a need to share their pursuits with others—that emerged as a recurring motif through the book. These truths bind the participants together more than their individual talents may divide them. I’ve no doubt that a conversation between, say, high-wire artist Philippe Petit and type designer Matthew Carter might go on for hours!

The misconception is that virtuosity is something one arrives at late in life. Hoping to dispel this, I sought a wide generational spread. Thus, the thirty-something skateboard whiz Tony Hawk displays a technical brilliance equal to the nonagenarian Al Hirschfeld.

To provide a meaningful context, I also asked four noted experts—Frank Deford, Judith Jameson, John Russell, Peter Blake—to contribute essays on qualities associated with virtuosity like skill and vision.

As principal of a design firm for the past twenty years I’ve come to realize that while graphic design may be one of the ways I interact with the world, my world is defined by much more than design, as is evidenced by the people I’ve gathered in this book. I’m fascinated by a myriad of other disciplines that form an inner database which enriches the creative possibilities of the work I do daily.

Since we live in an era when stardom has lost some of its luster and the world is hungry for alternative heroes, I chose to dedicate this book to The Boys & Girls Clubs of America for the amazing job they do promoting inspiration and excellence by providing safe places throughout the country where children can realize their potential.

A virtuoso takes hold of your spirit leaving you in awe of what a human being is capable of, which is why I think of this book as 122 pages of pure passion, optimism and inspiration. Today, substance often trails sensation and the line between celebrity and achievement is blurred. These pages offer vital examples of sensation with substance, underscoring the brilliance, artistry and passion that all great works possess. I hope you enjoy reading The Virtuoso as much as I did creating it.