The Life and Times of Jo Mora - by Peter Hiller (Hardcover)

About the Book

Jo Mora (1876-1947) 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, California's 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 Mora's insights into his life and work, as described in his own words--many presented here in this book--cannot be underestimated. Jo Mora's 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 children's 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 Hiller's thoughtful presentation of Jo Mora's life is seen here in all of its creative glory.

Book Synopsis

2022 Will Rogers Medallian Award, BRONZE: Western Biographies & Memoirs

PubWest 2021 Book Design Award: GOLD Winner, Historical/Biographical Books

2021 Foreword Indies, Honorable Mention: Biography

Jo Mora (1876-1947) 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, California's 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 Mora's insights into his life and work, as described in his own words--many presented here in this book--cannot be underestimated. Jo Mora's 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 children's 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 Hiller's thoughtful presentation of Jo Mora's life is seen here in all of its creative glory.

Review Quotes

"Art lovers will salivate over the colorful images of versatile Mora's paintings, sculptures, murals, maps and architecture while learning about the 'Renaissance Man of the West.'"--Stuart Rosebrook "True West" (4/4/2022 12:00:00 AM)

"This is the deep dive you're looking for to understand the Uruguayan-born cowboy Renaissance Man of the West ...."-- "Cowboys & Indians Magazine" (1/28/2022 12:00:00 AM)

"Fans of Mora will be thrilled with this comprehensive biography, while those unfamiliar with him will be thankful for this splendid introduction."--Johnny D. Boggs "HistoryNet" (2/1/2022 12:00:00 AM)

"... an exquisitely produced biography of a truly gifted and under appreciated artist who brilliantly captured his chosen slice of Americana. Hiller's use of Mora's diary entries serve to put an authentic autobiographical stamp on the narrative, surely making this the definitive book on the subject. Printed on heavy stock, semi-gloss paper, and profusely illustrated, this book is a joy to read and savor. This stunning work provides great insights into Mora's creative process, Hopi and Navajo culture, and the rich aesthetic of the American West."--ghr4 "LibraryThing" (10/24/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"I don't think I'd ever heard the name, Jo Mora, before receiving this wonderful book, but it's not likely one I'd forget now. The book is generously illustrated throughout in both color and black and white with Mora's drawings, paintings, sculptures, and other works of art, as well as numerous family photos. I especially like the full-page reproductions of his cartes (maps), which had me digging out my magnifying glass to get a better look at the details. I also particularly like that so much of the narrative is in Mora's own words from the letters he wrote. Highly recommended."--y2pk "LibraryThing" (10/3/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"This is an enjoyable biography exploring Mora's life and works, an artist who deserves to be more widely known."--varielle "LibraryThing" (9/30/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"Reading Mora's story in his own words is ... the highlight of this book's examination of this multifaceted gifted artist and writer. --Bill Warren "California Map Society" (9/1/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"a window into the prolific world of Jo Mora. One could take pages and pages to illustrate the fullness of Jo Mora's creative life, but luckily Hiller has done just that in the [336] pages of this wonderful book. Reading Hiller's knowledgeable tome on Jo Mora, one cannot help but be amazed at the incredible historic contribution Mora left, as well as the unbridled enthusiasm he had for the American West, its people and culture."--Bill Reynolds "Western Horseman" (6/4/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"... visually rich and captivating ..."-- "Elko Daily" (6/3/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"[Mora's] written works are excerpted here, his visuals are presented in good-sized color images, and his art is analyzed in an an outstanding coverage that links Mora's life to his times and achievements.
No arts library should be without this in-depth survey of his world."-- "Donovan's Bookshelf" (5/1/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"Peter Hiller's illuminating biography The Life and Times of Jo Mora tours the works of one of the most productive, multitalented artists of twentieth-century America.
As a testament to, and investigation of, Mora's "never diminished" creative drive, and as a contribution to a study of Western art, The Life and Times of Jo Mora, like the work of Mora himself, honors and dignifies its subject."--Joe Taylor "Foreword Reviews" (4/20/2021 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

Living a life engrossed in the visual arts has allowed author Peter Hiller to express his creativity through his own art, and to share that experience with students during a teaching career of almost forty years. His discovery of the world of Jo Mora opened new doors of interest as he endeavored to uncover Mora's seemingly endless creative abilities and accomplishments. This biography is the culmination of more than twenty-five years of striving to understand and appreciate this important artist. Since 1981, Hiller has been fortunate to live on the Monterey Peninsula in California with his wife of forty-eight years. He is the proud father of two grown sons.