PEASANT PAINTIINGS FROM HUHSIEN COUNTY

I stumbled upon this book amongst other dusty books in a used bookstore, and although it may not be the easiest to obtain since it was published in 1974, it's worth searching for. The cover does not give the book justice. Inside you'll find dozens of full color plates, depicting finely detailed paintings which are chock full of bustling, hard working people. The peasant paintings remind me of Where's Waldo illustrations, but contain far more beauty, complex design, and a powerful use of negative space. A wonderful book to pour over .

 

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BLOOD SWEAT & TEARS

by BENJAMIN GUDEL

If you like 50s pulp, old movie posters, comic books, or anything dynamic and colorful, then this book is for you. Forget about words, white pages, and boring things like that. This book gives you 208 pages of amazing in-your-face art.

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THE DEVIL IN DESIGN - KRAMPUS POSTCARDS

By Monte Beauchamp

The devil on the cover pretty much says it all. This book contains 163 images of the devil. It is beautifully designed and printed on a pleasing mat paper. The devil images are hideous, yet intriguing and attractive 19th century Krampus postcards. Bold white text on deep red paper interspersed throughout explains the folklore behind the postcards. It's an interesting look at history and art. Beware the Krumpus!

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100 PAINTINGS BY TIM BISKUP

This book measures only 5 and a quarter inches across, but don't let its small size dissuade you from checking it out. I'm always fascinated by people's quirks and obsessions, possibly because I have plenty of my own. 100 PAINTINGS gives a little peak into Tim Biskup's obsession to create and collect miniature works of art. His work is reminiscent of Jim Flora's Jazzy 40s album covers. Of course, Biskup's work has plenty of its own invention and flair. Very cool indeed.

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YOU ARE HERE - PERSONAL GEGRAPHIES

by Katharine Harmon

This book is a gorgeous collection of a wide array of maps. There are abstract maps, detailed maps, color maps, black and white maps… maps of the brain, the body, the mind… maps of neiborhoods, cities, and countries…. These maps are artistic creations not to be missed. I hadn't realized that a map can be such an intriguing thing until I picked up this book!

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100 % EVIL

by Nicholas Blechman & Christoph Niemann - introduction by Chip Kidd

I first picked up this book because the small B&W ink drawings were interesting and unique. Upon further inspection, I determined that they had a deeper, political meaning. Although the drawings are B&W, they illustrate that life isn't always that way. The line between good and evil is a blurry one. Regardless of meaning, this book is a delightful, intriguing body of work. For samples, go to www.http://christophniemann.com/evil/