Now the book is called Stories from the Nerve Bible and what I mean

by the nerve bible is the body.

And parts of the body

appear and disappear throughout the book, adding up to a kind of self-portrait

although not a very naturalistic one.

And I used the word Bible in the title of this book.

because the first really strange stories I remember hearing were Bible stories.

And these stories were completely amazing.

about parting oceans and talking snakes.

And people really seem to believe these stories.

Adults.

Adults who mainly just did the most mundane things imaginable.

mowing their lawns and throwing potluck parties.

They all believed in these wild stories.

And they would sit around and discuss them in the most matter-of-fact way.

So in a way, I was introduced to a special local form of

surrealism at an early age and so there was always a question in my mind

about what's actually true and what is just another.

art form.

Now I've always been interested in trying to define what makes up the late 20th century American, for example.

And so, as an artist, I've always thought my main job

was to be a spy to use my eyes

For example, I like to hang around the banks of phones in airports

one of my favorite listening posts, and eavesdrop on conversation.

Now we usually travel on the same schedule as salesmen and after lunch

These guys call into the main office and I just stand there at the phone

listening in and taking notes for my portrait

of the American salesman.

Uh, Frank?

Listen.

Frank, you know, I hate to say this about Brad,

I mean we both know he's got a heck of a job.

Yeah.

Oh, you're so right.

But you know, we both know that Brad just isn't...

pulling his weight.

You know what I mean?

And I'm not saying this just because we're both up for the same

So this book is really a collection of voices

and stories, as well as portraits of people that I've met

along the way.