Knowing Irv: The Life and Art of Irving Schiffer shares with readers the lesser-known areas of your father’s life and his passion for artwork, both written and with various media methods. Why was this an important book for you to write?

The year 2022 was the 50th year of his passing. I was 14 at the time. He was a writer, a painter, a photographer, and more…but, of course, he was my dad, and not a day goes by that I don’t miss him terribly. But in 2022, my brother and I wanted to put his legacy out in the public for people to learn about what a wonderful and creative soul he was. I began to gather his paintings, his stories and cartoons, had over 300 slides converted to digital, and before I knew it, there was a substantial body of work.

It was as much a personal passion project as it was about sharing his art with the world. I think that, too often, we look at art and don’t see the person behind it. Irv Schiffer expressed himself in so many ways that I felt it was the most important thing for me to show others his personality and joy through his art.

When you and your brother were creating this book and researching all of his work, did you find anything that surprised you about your father?

We started this as, not a book, but as something to do to collect our dad’s output in one place. But my brother had just turned 70, and I wanted to surprise him by completing this for his enjoyment. We were both extremely surprised at the amount of material there was. Specifically, I was surprised to learn he had a very renowned literary agent at the time and also that he had just pitched out a book exposing the private surveillance industry for the shady things that were going on at the time. I never knew about that.

Irv Schiffer was a true Renaissance man who created his art using diverse methods and media, from the written word to physical art. What is your favorite work of art that your father created and why?

He was a songwriter and lyricist too, so I think his song “Ain’t You Got a Pencil,” which could have stood shoulder to shoulder with any of the witty songs of the Great American Songbook, is my favorite of all.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from your father’s story?

To cherish authentic art from unknowns wherever you find it and to support indie artists!

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