Two Fabulous Books

My goal is to let you all know about the great authors, photographers, and books coming to the Austin Museum of Art during the Texas Book Festival October 31 - November 1 this year. My ulterior motive is to get you all, at least those of you within driving distance of Austin, to come to AMOA to hear these writers and photographers speak and to say “hi” to me.

This past Saturday, I introduced you to Texas’ Big Bend: A Photographic Adventure from the Pecos to the Rio Grande by Michael H. Marvins. Today, I’ll tell you about two more books.

Calvin Littlejohn: Portrait of a Community in Black and White by Bob Ray Sanders.

Calvin Littlejohn was, at heart, a photographer. On his way to becoming one of the best, he worked in domestic service, taught industrial art, and eventually became the official photographer at the only black high school in Ft. Worth. He went on to take more than just pictures at the high school. He became the documentarian of Ft. Worth’s black community.

This book chronicles his work, from 1934 to 1991. The pictures are amazing. Everyday people doing everyday things. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things. People who lived their lives and became a part of history on the pages of Calvin Littlejohn’s book.

Bob Ray Sanders will be at the Austin Museum of Art to speak on Saturday, October 31, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Texas BBQ, photographs by Wyatt McSpadden

I had to wait to get to look at this book. As soon as it arrived, my husband grabbed it up. It’s not a listing of all the fabulous BBQ joints in Texas and it doesn’t rate the places from best to worst. What it does is make your mouth water with some extraordinary pictures. You’ll also be astounded by what the professional BBQ cooks do to created the melt-in-your-mouth sausage, beef, pork and ribs.

McSpadden has photos of more than just the meat. In fact, there aren't that many picture of meat. He artistically captures the fires, the signs, torn stools, chopping blocks, menu signs, and the people. The faces, the cookers, the tools. Smokers taller than the man doing the cooking.

My husband suggested we go to each BBQ place, do a taste test and get autographs. Sounds like a mighty fine vacation to me.

Wyatt McSpadden will be at the Austin Museum of Art to speak on Saturday, October 31, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.