* Thanks to BooksGoSocial and Netgalley for an advanced copy for review purposes *

"Paint it Blue" is a hard to categorize book. It is a series of short vignettes involving art - conversations between visual artists, monologues from people that were acquainted with them or had an influence on their reach, including a cameo by Franco, and snapshots of art galleries that feel like Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition". I particularly enjoyed the section on the Mexican muralists, which aside from calling out painters other than Diego and Frida (which still get the bulk of the pages), also described several popular spots in contemporary Mexico.. The section on modern German painters and their inclusion in the "Degenerate" exhibition was insightful, and you'll end up with quite a different perception on Picasso after reading his vignettes. The tone is a bit uneven, and some sections shined far more than others, but this is quite a daring and creative way to introduce art history.

This is the first time that I have read a book by George Thomas Clark and it is like nothing I have ever read before.
The idea of writing about conversations between famous artists (dead or living) is unique, cerebral and intriguing. The lives, homes and inspiration of an artists world becomes alive and palpable throughout each short story. Tapping into the minds of Renoir, Norman Rockwell, Otto Dix, Frieda Kahlo & Diego Rivera, Lee Krasner, Van Gogh and Picasso represents the vast array of personalities, style and influence on the art world that kept me wanting more as the pages were turned.
This is a beautiful way to look at art, its history and the brilliant minds and creative hands that created it.
George Thomas Clark has shed a new light on each artist and it shines brilliantly.
I highly recommend this book and would like to thank the author, NetGalley and Books Go Social for an ARC in exchange for an honest book review.