Best Art Books

I recently hosted an open house and studio visit for my students. At the end of the visit, someone commented on seeing art books around the house and asked for a list. It wasn't my first request for book recommendations so I thought I'd share a list on the blog of art books I've enjoyed from my collection. Art books can be found throughout our house. Maybe one day I'll get organized and put them all in one spot, but then again, to quote my student, ours is a "house dedicated to art."

I've read and enjoyed each of these books and they are the ones that have survived various book purges. Get those Christmas wish lists out!

Books on the nightstand.

I have separated them for you into How To, Art Theory and Inspiration, Books About Artists categories.

How To:

Classical Drawing Atelier, by Juliette Aristides (I recommend ALL of Juliette Aristides book. I learned so much from them and continue to refer to them.)

Lessons in Classical Drawing, by Juliette Aristides

Classical Painting Atelier, by Juliette Aristides

Lessons in Classical Painting, by Juliette Aristides

Oil Painting Secrets From a Master, by Linda Cateura- (One of the first books about oil painting that I ever bought, other than textbooks. It is written by a student of David Leffel and consists of ideas he presented in class. It was helpful in my journey to being a good oil painter, but not great if you are looking for a step-by-step)

Alla Prima II Everything I Know about Painting--and More, by Richard Schmidt (The first book was out of print so I was really happy when this one came out a few years ago. Expensive, but chock full of good info about oil painting)

The Artist's Complete Guide to Figure Drawing, by Anthony Ryder (so good)

The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, by Betty Edwards (This was the text years ago when I taught as an adjunct at Brevard Community College in FL)

The Human Figure, by Vanderpoel (I've read this one multiple times and new things click every time)

Bridgman's Complete Guide to Drawing From Life, (left over from college days and I still refer to it)

Artistic Anatomy, by Dr. Paul Richer (anatomy reference, also left over from college)

Drawing the Head and Hands, by Andrew Loomis (if you look around this one is available as a free pdf for download)

The Practice and Science of Drawing, (Illustrated) by Harold Speed

Books in the studio.

Art Theory and Inspiration:

ART & FEAR, by David Bayles and Ted Orland

The Art Spirit, by Robert Henri

The Age of Insight, by Eric R Kandel, (this is a fascinating book about science, medicine, and art, and how the mind and brain relate to art)

The Story of Painting, by Sister Wendy Beckett

The Painted Word, by Tom Wolfe, (A short, but must read for contemporary realists)

The Object Stares Back, by James Elkins

What Painting Is, by James Elkins (this book changed the way I think about painting.)

The Art Instinct, Beauty, Pleasure and Human Evolution, by Denis Dutton

What Painting Is, by James Elkins

On Ugliness, by Umberto Eco

History of Beauty, by Umberto Eco

The Secret Language of Symbols, by Fontana

The Artist's Way- A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity, by Julia Cameron (Still working my way through this one)

The Talent Code: Greatness Isn't Born. It's Grown. Here's How, by Holly Dewolf

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, by Sheryl Sandberg (not specifically about art, but about navigating the business world and the ever-changing role of women in our culture)

The Power of Vulnerability: Teachings on Authenticity, Connection, & Courage, by Brene Brown (Audible) Brene's work and research is a powerful force for reason, understanding, creativity, and love, and living a meaningful life, her other books are on my to-read list)

Becoming Wise: An Inquiry into the Mystery and Art of Living, by Krista Tippett (not specifically about art, but valuable for connecting with ourselves, the world, and people around us.)

Guns Germs and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies, by Jared Diamond (not specifically about art, but very thought-provoking about societal issues)

Manage Your Day-To-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus & Sharpen Your Creative Mind, by Jocelyn K. Glei (editor)

Books About Artists:

Leonardo Da Vinci, by Walter Isaacson (Still reading this one)

A Life, Sacred and Profane: Caravaggio, by Andrew Graham-Dixon

J. W. Waterhouse, by Peter Trippi

Essential Klimt, by Laura Payne

The Letters of Vincent Van Gogh, edited by Mark Roskill (this is an amazing insight into Vincent's mind and process)

The Passion of Artemisia: A Novel, by Susan Vreeland

Behind the Easel: The Unique Voices of 20 Contemporary Representational Painters, by Robert C. Jackson with Pamela Sienna

Many of these books are probably available used, in paperback, or the out of print ones might be available as downloadable PDFs. A few I have on audible, but if there are pictures I like to own a hard copy.

If you have favorites, please put them in the comments section below, because books are great items to put on a Christmas list. And as artists, we are always looking for inspiration.

I have a book about my work, too The Incognito Project. If you have a book about your art feel free to leave a link in the comments. Happy Reading!

The Incognito Project

Life and Afterlife in a Cubicle

I had the pleasure of collaborating on a project with my husband, Daniel M. Strickland. His debut novel, Synergeist, has launched! My part in the collaboration process was the painting for the cover and having the privilege of being an early reader.

One challenge to painting a cover for the book was to try to capture the idea that energy is created when someone makes something. The art created continues to hold some energy after the artist has moved on.

As someone who has cried while standing in front of a five hundred year old painting, been moved to tears in a centuries old church, felt energized by words written by an author long dead and gotten shivers from music, this concept makes sense to me.

As is always the challenge, how does one capture the visceral with these meager visual tools? It sparked many interesting conversations around the dinner table about what something so etheral should look like.

Synergeist, 20x16, oil on panel, 2015 

Click below to see more painting details and info about the book.

A Grafitti Artist Inspired My Latest Painting

The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls and tenement halls and whispered in the sound of silence.

            ~Paul Simon, Sound of Silence, written in February 1964

A Poem in Four Letters, 24x29, oil on canvas over panel

Thank you stranger, for writing, in 1964, those four letters on the NYC 5th Ave subway station wall. Those letters inspired the penning of Simon’s song and circuitously, 50 years later, my painting, A Poem in Four Letters.

Here’s the inspiration timeline:

-In 1964 a wall writer slashes a four letter word on a subway wall in NYC at the 5th Avenue station.

-Simon and Garfunkel have a photo shoot with the poem in evidence in the background for their ‘Wednesday Morning, 3 am’ (1964) album cover.

-In 1966, Paul Simon’s writes and records, with Art Garfunkel, Poem on the Underground Wall.

-I fall in love with the song sometime in the late 1970’s.

-In 2003 my daughter hears the song for the first time and thinks the four letter word poem is love. That moment sticks with me.

-In 2014, I paint Poem in Four Letters about my model’s alter ego, the song and my daughter’s reaction to it. 

A question I enjoy asking people ever since doing my Incognito Project painting series and book about it, is Who is your alter ego?

A friend and favorite model wanted to be portrayed as a graffiti artist. He and I discussed various ideas as to what he should be painting.

I knew that I wanted the message to be something up lifting. After hours spent googling, I realized that there are many visual symbols for hate, but not a singular one that was synonymous with love. That was a sad revelation to me.