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I Shock Myself: The Autobiography of Beatrice Wood
One of America's acclaimed ceramicists, Beatrice Wood shares the intriguing details of her unconventional life in 'I Shock Myself'. With candour and insight, she recollects nearly ten decades of world-shaking events, heart breaking romances, and artistic achievement.
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An amazing book by an amazing woman about the first 90 (or so) years of her amazing life. Beatrice, or "Beato" to her friends, kept daily journals for 85 years -- i.e., most of her adult life -- so she was able to accurately recount with vivid detail what she considered to be the highlights of her life.
It is noteworthy that she lived on for more than 15 years after her autobiography was first published in 1985. And, in those 15+ years, she continued to truly live each day to the fullest, and on ...more
It is noteworthy that she lived on for more than 15 years after her autobiography was first published in 1985. And, in those 15+ years, she continued to truly live each day to the fullest, and on ...more
During L.A.'s six-month-long citywide celebration of post-war art (Pacific Standard Time), my friend Jen turned me onto this book. I devoured it in about four sittings. I read it because I was curious as to how a woman in her 90s writes the story of her life. I loved it because Beatrice Wood was such a strong individual, and yet her writing creates a sense of familiarity --- I felt as if I actually knew her. She writes with complete candor about everything in her life, from her sensual love affa
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I always give a 3-4 star rating for books I enjoy and would recommend to others but also recognize that my reason for being interested in a book does not always equate to other people's interest. This book I found interesting because it is real and reflects the ecentric atristic reality of other people. We are all driven by intrinsic interests and motivations that others may not understand or feel. I felt like this is what Beatrice expressed in her autobigralphy - it took her a lot of years to a
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A charming woman. A charming artist. A charmed life. She loved Duchamp; she loved life; she loved being alive...she deserved the century plus of creativity she enjoyed...and the planet should be very grateful she stayed around that long...check out a catalogue of the works...they are just sumptuous....but these memoirs are priceless...many of them are illustrated with her charming line drawings...i snagged some signed copies of her books since i adore her...i want to get out to Ojai one day...i
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I must qualify my five star rating: it's not due to the quality of the writing. I don't claim this book is an example of great literature. So why did I give it 5 stars? Because, quite simply, Beatrice Woods was a 5 Star human being. Beato, as we Woods-o-philes know her, was among many, many other things, a potter, great friend and one time lover of Duchamp, close friend of Krishnamurti, and an eccentric bon vivant who, for the last half of her 100+ year life, exclusively wore bright silk saris a
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It was kismet when my friend found this book and bought it for me from the dollar bookstore! We had just recently been to Beatrice Wood's Exhibit in Santa Monica, and I languished over the glow of the luminous glazes which she brilliantly experimented with. I enjoy reading biographies and autobiographies of other artists, and this one didn't disappoint. Interesting characters, love and the devastation that comes with it, making art and the devastation that comes with it, traveling the world, los
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She shocks herself, but she only shocks you if you are a granny. Still, I'm really enjoying this book. If only life were this simple now. Have a lot of money. See a lot of wonderful places. Be scandalized by men and modern art. Have poor judgment. Lose all your money. Take up pottery and Eastern Philosophy. Initially I found myself frustrated by Beatrice's foolish attachment to manipulative men, and her rather pretentious attitude toward art and artists. But given that this is an autobiography,
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A totally different life. She is frank and brave. Though I don't think I finished all. Surprisingly, she knew something about Krishnamurti. I was interested in and doubt about him.
FIrstly, I totally forgot I had read this already. I remembered once I started reading it, and remembering that even though I liked it alright, she really isn't a very good writer. Secondly, it was interesting to get re-acquainted with her, as she is such a fabulous icon! EDIT: The second half of the book is much better written than the first half.
Beatrice Wood is one of the most spirited and unique women I have ever read about. She rubbed shoulders (and maybe more) with folks like Marcel Duchamp. She lived to be over 100 and is a model to women - don't worry about your past, just do things that make you happy and challenge you.
I love "human" stories. Ms. Wood's is so very human... so much a slice of an era. Stories like hers make me want to go out and meet everyone and learn all the wonderful (and not-so wonderful) things people have done with their lives.
This book made me lust after my dream home in the hills with a pottery studio surrounded by artists and intellectuals.
The autobiography itself is a little shallow in depth, but interesting because of the characters and art references.
The autobiography itself is a little shallow in depth, but interesting because of the characters and art references.
I love this book! I have read it twice--once to myself and once aloud to my husband.
Fascinating story here and great history of Hollywood and also Ojai
Fascinating story here and great history of Hollywood and also Ojai
This woman is amazing and inspiring. I love her joie de vivre and sense of adventure.
She knew a lot of famous people.
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