Book Recommendations Take 2

Today I would like to add some books to my recommended list. I keep a well stocked bookcase in my studio. Some are old dictionaries and vintage books that I use in art. Some are how-to books and some are yummy books full of pictures of artist's books. There is quite a variety and when I am stuck for a new project I love to peruse these them for inspiration. My suggested readings for this post are:

1. The Book as Art: Artists' Books from the National Museum of Women in the Arts by Krystyna Wasserman is a feast for the eyes and mind. It is full of wonderful books created by women. It is organized by broad categories like Food and the Body or Travelers and showcases beautiful photographs of each work as well as a description by the artist.

2. 1000 Artists' Books: Exploring the Book as Art by Sandra Salamony with Peter & Donna Thomas is also broadly categorized into sections based on structure and is mainly visual in its presentation of artists' books. There are some very cleaver creations in this book and some that challenge the concept of what it means to be an artist's book.

3. The Penland Book of Handmade Books by Lark Books is both a showcase of amazing artists' books as well as a tutorial on making books. Each section includes an artist, a hands-on tutorial of their work and examples of what other people have made using their techniques as a jumping off point. It is a book I return to again and again for inspiration and instruction.

I hope that you will check out these books (perhaps from your local Library or bookstore) and spend some time immersed in the world of book arts. It is a rewarding journey, even if you aren't a book artist.

-Gina

This wing book I made was inspired by Brenda Watson's Comment attirer les oiseaux? (How to attract birds) on page 54 of The Book as Art.

These simple painted landscapes were inspired by Julie Baugnet books on page 76 of 1000 Artists' Books.

This Hedi Kyle Blizzard book and folded cover are detailed in The Penland Book of Handmade Books. My version has the blizzard pages folded slightly differently so that they pop up to make boxes.