An essential addition to any collection of Western art and Americana, The Life and Times of Jo Mora provides an in-depth biography of this gifted illustrator, painter, writer, cartographer, and sculptor.
PubWest 2021 Book Design Award: GOLD Winner, Historical/Biographical Books
Jo Mora (1876â1947) lived the Western life he depicted in his prolific body of visual art, comprising sculpture, paintings, architectural adornments, dioramas, and maps. He explored California Missions, the natural glories of Yosemite, Californiaâs ranch life, and eventually the culture of the Hopi and Navajo in Arizona. During his travels, Mora documented observations that became the source material and inspiration for much of his later artwork.
The magnitude of Moraâs insights into his life and work, as described in his own wordsâmany presented here in this bookâcannot be underestimated. Jo Moraâs many diaries, journals, and literary efforts reveal an intellectual discernment, originality, and humor that enhance our appreciation of his work.
Remarkably, throughout his life Mora supported his family solely through a series of art commissions that ranged from restaurant murals to heroic-scale sculpture. He welcomed risks and challenges, was unafraid of hard work, and did nearly everything well, from writing childrenâs stories to commanding an army battalion-in-training to shooting mountain lions. Ever modest, he seemed to think that this versatility was nothing extraordinary. Peter Hillerâs thoughtful presentation of Jo Moraâs life is seen here in all of its creative glory.
