Somehow I forgot to post this video here last year. I think after Palestine and moving my brain went alesewhere but here is a video of some of my favorite art books. Check it out! Note: I define art books as mostly pictoral books exploring various generes of art such as photography, fashion design, illustration, animation, filmmaking, cooking, dance, public art, and more. its not everyone’s cup of tea as far as “art books” go, but its my absolute jam. A mix of styles, interests, and disciplies. Enjoy.
This me working, speaking to folks, selling, and connecting with new supporters at the “Craneway Craft Fair”. Photo by Clara Rice for Craneway Craft Fair. The first time I did this event was 15 maybe 17 years ago when it was the KPFA craft fair in Frisco.
Hey fam, I just finished the second “Art Books” video. In it I share a little bit of 15 books and magazines ranging from Art of animation, to artist sketchbooks, and photography books. The point of these is to share cool books, show you some ways to get kids off screens, inspire young artists, and hopefully get some kids reading. Some of these books would appeal to elementary aged kids and some are for older teens.
If you missed the last Art Books video check it out here
These are the books in the video:
“Afros” by Michael July
“Journey for Justice” by Dr Dawn Mabalon, Gayle Romansanta, and Andre Sibayan
“We Are the Ship” by Kadir Nelson
“Mexican Muralists” by Desmond Rochfort
“The Art of Moana” by Disney
“Dailies” by Bobby Pontillas
“Girls Garage” by Emily Pilloton
“Harlem of the West” by Elizabeth Pepin Silva & Lewis Watts
“Stranger Danger” by Clio Chiang
“Printing the Revolution” by Claudia Zapata, Tatiana Reinoza, and Terecita Romo
“The Art of Hung Liu-Summoning Ghosts” by Hung Liu
“Picturing The Promise (Scurlocks)” Edited by Paul Gardullo
“The New Bohemians” by Justina Blakeney
“Waxpoetics Magazine” 2008/ 2021
“Umber Magazine”
If you’d like to purchase some of them I suggest ordering them from your local bookstore, Bookshop.org, or StuartNg Books in LA.
Wow, its only day 3 andmy Kickstarter is almost 80 % funded! Amazing! Thank you all. Here’s a bit of info to share….
What is an art book? Who cares? An art book is a tool, an escape, a resource, a push, a friend, its anything you want it to be. Of course we’re talking about paper, binding, pictures, words, etc. But it’s also a way to grab attention and get kids to take a break from the screens when you need them to. You can put them on the kitchen table, on your bookshelf, home library, or in a classroom. If you can’t buy them, you can check them out at your local library. But why? Art books are a great way to encourage young creatives! There are lots of different types of art books. Here are a few:
1. Photography: “Reflections in Black by Deborah Willis”
Its a book cataloguing Black photographers from 1840-2000. It has essays, memories, think pieces, and tons and tons of photographs. Black & white, color, experimental, and more. #photography
2. Animation:“Into the Spiderverse”
This is an art of book. Whats that? Well many feature and animated films have art departments that develop the look and feel of a film from the way actors act, to the designs of their clothing. An art of book for a film that you like can expand your understanding of how it was made and who did it. This book features many departments of the film making process. #animation
3. Murals:“Maestrapiece: San Francisco’s Monumental Feminist Mural”.
This book celebrates the herstory of a really huge mural painted in the Mission District of San Francisco on one of the first buildings ever dedicated to the lives of women; The Women’s Building. The book is full of old and new images, memories, and writings about how this crew of bad assess women painted this mural and why it means so much. #murals
4. Graffiti: “Piecebook the secret drawings of graffiti writers” by Sacha Jenkins and Chino BYI.
This is an ill book featuring some writing but mostly sketchbook drawings of pieces, characters, throw ups, and more by graffiti writers from the 70s to the 80s I believe. For any kid who was interested in Graffiti or street art this is a must have because it shows you a world that you wouldn’t get to see unless you were a part of the culture. #graffiti
5. Fashion: “The Sourcebook of Fashion Design”.
This is a dope book featuring how to’s , writing, and tones of photographs of sketches, designs, fabric, outfits, and garments from the designer fashion industry. And I mention this because you might have a kid who loves fashion. Get them some fashion designer books! #fashiondesign
6. Architecture: The Future of Architecture in 100 Buildings
This book features beautiful images of buildings of the future and some that echo the past. It spans the globe and features captions and short written pieces about the buildings. Got a kid in your life who loves architecture? #architecture
7. US History: “Celebrate People’s History” by Josh MacPhee
is a book of poster art. The art in this book features work by movement artists, groups, and more. The subject matter ranges from individual figures to historic events, places, and groups. And it talks about labor, laws, social justice, ethnic studies, and more. Because each poster has a very short reference it leaves it up to the viewer to look up what strikes them as interesting. #UShistory
8. Makers/ Builders: “Girls Garage” by Emily Pilloton
is an awesome resource for girls about how to build things. It features history, facts, and an encyclopedia about tools and lots of DIY tips on projects. One of the coolest things in it are profiles about women young and old who have built shit!! #builders
9. And lastly, I threw my book in there to illustrate the point that there are lots of different types of art books and mine is one of them. An artist sketchbook with character designs and other things. Thank you for supporting my kickstarter to make this art book a reality. Not only for me but hopefully for some young students out there.
If you’re looking for any of these books please go to your local bookstore or library and ask them about these art books!!!
What up y’all, been wanting to do this video for a minute. Art books are a great way to unplug from the internet or get someone reading who doesn’t normally like books. Whenever I get stuck I pull out some ill art books, read them, and just flip through them. Check these books out. Cop them from an indy store or request them at your local library!
If you missed my last inspiration board check it here
Here are all the books I mention in this video, please support them. Cop from the artists themselves, your local independent bookstore, or Bookshop.org.
-“Spraycan Art” by Henry Chalfant & James Prigoff
-“One Track Mind” Graffiti Magazine
-“OS Gemeos”
-“Reflections In Black” by Deborah Willis
-“Chaz Bojorquez”
-“The Early Bird” by Morning Breath
-“De La Soul” by Frank 151
-“Spider Man Into the Spiderverse” by Sony/ Marvel
One of the coolest things about the library, the bookstore, record store, or just stepping out into life is the happy mistakes. It’s when you find someone or something that you didn’t intend to find. Case in point, I was searching for one book the day I found another; the Book of the Dead by James Van Der Zee (1886-1983). I’m not going to go into the full history of the incredible photographer but you can look up videos or books about him. He took some amazing and haunting photos of soldiers, weddings, musicians, dancers, his city of Harlem, and the dead. Check out some of the photos I can find on a search. I still have 1 or 2 of his images in a sketchbook of mine from 15 or 20 years ago.
Inspiring Artist: This is a way for me to share some of the artists who inspire me both dead and alive. Check out their work.
Franklin made this beautiful sweatshirt. This was before bebe girl was born, after getting married. And after the Furqan trailer dropped. Taken by my wife 🙂
Here’s a throwback to November of 2019 when there were still events indoors and outside. And you could be in the same proximity as hella people without worrying about a virus. The big SF Etsy Holiday Emporium!
Photographer and maker Imelda Jimenez-LaMar took this photo for a blog post she wrote about sharing visuals as a seller.
This is Jamel Shabazz, one of the illest photographers to hold a camera. He’s a former corrections officer and a portrait photographer who captured so many aspects of NYC, hip hop, and Black and Brown culture in the 80s. And he’s still shooting today. I’ve known about him since I saw his books
Doesn’t matter what genre you work in, check out Jamel’s work. Check out his books for free from your local library, unplug, and get into it. Peep some more below.
Here’s a recent interview he did w/ OG Black Thought.
Did you see the last inspiring artist I shared here? Peep Afu Chan
