Should be on every artist's bookshelf and frequently consulted to break through to the next level, wherever you might happen to be.

A great starting point for those interested in understanding some of the basic themes behind contemporary art in an easy-to-understand language.

To follow "Art on the Edge & Over". Another great book to help students (in and out of school) understand contemporary art. Used in many universities across the country.

If you are a painter, this is the studio resource book.

A fantastic studio reference book for techniques in virtually all drawing & painting materials. The painting section is good, though not as deep as "The Painter's Craft", but the drawing section is good.

The basic "how to be a professional artist" book. Has a great resource section in the back. This was my BFA textbook. Though it is meant for fine artists, it is sometimes focused on the more "commercial-y" aspects of being a fine artist. Still, this is the first book to get when you are starting out and figuring out the first steps towards being a professional artist.

One of the best books on creative process I have ever read. Translates well to artmaking and the layered process of creating.

This book is one of my touchstones: I have several paragraphs posted where I can see them every day. Premise: in the postmodern age, "only the idiosyncratic artist remains credible and convincing". Idiosyncratic art = "radically personal art that establishes unconscious communication".

If you are a painter, you must read this book. If color theory makes you nod off, this volume will explain how color functions in an applied way that makes it easy to understand and quite pleasurable.

Another volume that should be reprinted. A friend recently told me that one of his GRAD students asked him why their art had to have meaning. That student would find no use for this book.

Before Eleanor Heartney's book on Catholicism in contemporary art, there was this book on "the Catholic Imagination" in film. Not as compelling as "Postmodern Heretics", but an interesting read if you are exploring Catholic imagery.

A wonderful anthology.

I can't believe this book has not been reprinted yet. This huge and juicy tome was the definitive book that redefined what art made with fiber materials could be. Lots of great pics.

LOVED this exhibition. Amazing collection of work (mostly emerging artists) using fantastic visionary imagery.

This book will make you gasp, laugh, cringe and give you the chills. I have this book and the subsequent volumes on my coffee table. Makes an amazing gift as well. Visit the postsecret website for a sample.

Awesome. See my review for My Secret, volume one of this series.

This book has blown away almost everyone I know who has seen it. Documents the work of an innovative artist whose life was cut short by AIDS. Paintings on found objects, executed in nail polish, glitter, whiteout, ashes, etc. Very irreverent imagery with Catholic references. Not for the conservative reader.

Another touchstone of mine. A beautiful little book on creative writing, that translates well to any kind of artmaking.