The Book is Here
- Zach Danesh
- Dec 21, 2018
- 3 min read
It has arrived. I believe it took about two to three years all said and done. If you include my twenties then it took close to a decade. It took me that long to conceive of this. I also needed the courage to take this on. I wonder how much of my stupidity or just plain crazy was a factor in me writing this book. This isn't my first book; I've written and illustrated a couple of graphic novels (most of which haven't seen the light of day). I wrote a straight book this time, because it would be more cost effective to get my art out there.
I haven't been given many chances. I had a big opportunity around 20, but squandered it (which wasn't completely my fault). I got into some film festivals for my animated cartoons, and I had an internship at a great art gallery. I believe we make our own luck. I realized ,not long ago, that I can't give up the pen. I partly wish I could, but it's just in me to do this. I subject myself to the checks and balances of reality now; this book is an extension of me, and it will reflect who I am. Who am I? Everybody will have an opinion on that, and I wager that mostly everyone is correct.
My work and opinions aren't everybody's cup of tea. I respect that; I can't make everybody happy. My journey, as yours is too, is a God given gift. For those of us with freewill, we get to shape our day every waking hour. It's burdensome if we dwell on it; we breath, live, struggle and meet a common end. So, life is the art project. Whether any of you draw or write is of no consequence. You all make your life as you see it. Your vision for your life is yours to make. With every decision you are sculpting the great work that will be your existence. I've had enough time on this planet to build the framework of this piece that I call by my name.
I wrote this book, because I had no other choice (in a sense). I can't give up the pen, as I said before. I need to make things. If fish gotta swim, and birds gotta fly then this guy needs to make. I sent out a collection of work in 2016 (Tasty Danish: Elections are Cool). I only got one response back, which was positive. I did this on my own, so I could see my vision to an end. I love working in sketch books or writing articles on my blog, but I wanted to make a standalone piece. So, I didn't have a choice in a sense. Could I have written a more modest book? Yes, I imagine I could have. Honestly, I kind of wish I did; this is it though. I can't rewind. I can't go back to change the book. I can't go back and change my life...
I think that's what this book is about. It's about the decisions one makes (good and bad). It's about mistakes. It's about failure. It's about the struggle, and how I wouldn't be here without it. So, I'm expecting angry emails anyway. I'm certain that my language will offend strangers, friends and even family. I know that this is what the endeavor entails. I'm not about doing my work in secret. My work exists in a dimension outside of myself.
I cannot make apologies for the work. It exists now, and it will exist again and again as various eyeballs scan the pages. If you want anything in this world you need to face reality; it's cold, uncompromising and eternal. The End of New York is a piece of myself that I'm sharing for this very purpose. I made this thing, because I needed to make it. I want to build a masterpiece out of my life. The final piece that will be my life will be a courageous work. It won't be milquetoast. It will reflect who I am. My life will have the beauty of a Morandi, the ugliness of an Otto Dix, the insurmountable force of a Richard Serra and the intention of a Van Gogh.
Thank you all so much for supporting me, even when you detested me. I wish you all a beautiful life journey, and I hope your mistakes complete your piece in an irrevocable way.
You can buy the book in any of these places...
Archway bookstore:
Amazon website:
Barnes and Noble website:
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