''The Life and Line of Keith Haring''

Brad Gooch is a poet, novelist, and biographer who has written about Flannery O'Connor and Frank O'Hara. His latest book, though, is about Keith Haring.

It turns out that a main inspiration was the artist's father, who offered encouragement and drew with him. Later on, Keith's resentment built up, and he felt both his dad and mother were too controlling.

There was a similar problem in some of the young man's art classes since he didn't like being told what to draw. But it wasn't long before teachers backed off, appreciating his ambition and talent.

Radiant: The Life and Line of Keith Haring is about other creatives as well. Keith was friends with Kenny Scharf, who used to work with discarded television sets. In fact, he helped Kenny drag a bunch of them across town.

Other pals were Jean-Michel Basquiat, who liked to write on the walls of Keith's art school, and Tseng Kwong Chi, who documented much of Haring's work. That included subway drawings--even after Keith was showing in galleries . . . and although the photographer wasn't comfortable doing so, as he was sometimes asked if he had a permit.

Keith is praised for supporting other artists, but he himself received a good deal of assistance. Andy Warhol recommended him to gallerists, and others offered ideas and materials. 

While Keith became known for subjects like crawling babies and barking dogs, he also was involved in videos, performance art, and even nightclubs in New York City . . . particularly Club 57, where he organized exhibitions. 

Haring was known, as well, for his parties--many with his boyfriend Juan Dubose deejaying. At the same time, he was fond of children. He thought his best job was when he was an instructor at a daycare center, and found himself using the same drawing techniques he learned from his father. 

Since he was a child, the native of Kutztown, Pennsylvania, was a Disney fan. Shortly before he died of AIDS, Keith received a letter from Walt Disney Studios seeking a collaboration. 

This came about posthumously in 2021, when Haring's foundation and Disney teamed up to produce watches, tee shirts, and other items with the artist's portrayals of Mickey Mouse.