Fungi: Mushroom Art Like Nothing on Earth

Welcome to a kingdom of mushroom art and foraged facts.

Where most people might see dinner, visual artist Bill Wurtzel sees people, animals, and more. Within these pages, he ​puts the fun in fungi with his whimsical and inspired creations, beautifully posed and photographed. Accompanied by text revealing the world of mushrooms, white button, portabella, maitake, and king trumpets are transformed into people dancing, riding hot air balloons, tight-rope walking, exercising, and so much more. All sorts of members of the animal kingdom are recreated in this charming style, including cats, dogs, elephants, owls, and chickens. Both amateur mycologists and expert foragers will see mushrooms in a new light as their shapes and textures capture joyous experiences and emotions, proving just one more way mushrooms can be beneficial to all of us. Pull up a toadstool and take in the magical sights!

Bill Wurtzel is a visual artist who uses healthy food as his medium. He began making food art just to amuse his wife Claire as well as entice their kids and grandkids to eat what’s on their plate. He gets inspiration from the shapes, colors, and textures of food. After he snaps a photo, the ＂art＂ is eaten. Prints of Bill’s art have been exhibited in galleries and museums in the U.S and abroad. Bill and Claire, an educator, have co-authored 6 books illustrated with Bill’s food art (3 ＂Best Children’s Books＂). Bill is a former award-winning advertising creative director (＂World’s Best TV Commercials＂). He is also a renowned jazz guitarist (Count Basie Countsmen, Harlem Blues & Jazz Band). With FUNGI, Bill takes food art in a new direction.