I picked up some terrific art books over the last year. Here are just a few of the ones that I truly enjoyed.
Spectrum 15. The book I most look forward to each year. It is always a treat to receive. There’s the usual masters as well as many wonderful artists I was previously unaware of.
Scorchy Smith and the Art of Noel Sickles. This book received most of the positive buzz from my circle of friend’s this year. And we’re a picky bunch of guy’s. I was delighted when I received mine. It looks like a true labor of love with interesting and easy to read text. There’s plenty about Sickles as well as his lifelong friend Milt Caniff. It features great reproduction with clean design. All of the Scorchy Smith strips are included! A very handsome volume.
The Complete Pirelli Calenders. Gorgeous design and photographs. I love the simplicity of design in this collection. A very classy book. By the way, if you enjoy portrait and model photography like I do, Howard Schatz latest book H2O is worth checking out.
J.C. Leyendecker, published by Abrams. Finally, a serious look at this artist, as the authors made available his first true biography. Lots and lots of artwork to look at. Many are from originals, and the reproduction is top notch. It is obvious that this book was twenty or more years in the making. A much needed book for one of my favorite illustrators.
The Completely Mad Don Martin collection. I’ve been laughing at Don Martin’s Mad magazine cartoons since I was a kid. Having them all in one massive two-volume set is a treat. Nice oversized packaging with the art one per page.
Kiskaloo by Chris Sanders. Wow, this guys art is amazing! Sanders was the designer for Disney’s Lilo & Stitch. You can visit his website here and get Kiskaloo and his sketchbooks from Bud’s Art Books or Stuart Ng Books.
MÉLANGE by Dean Yeagle. This is the best collection on Yeagle’s work so far. Full of art and nice reproduction. He has worked for Disney and has been a longtime contributor to Playboy Magazine through his one-page cartoons.
Fables Covers by James Jean. Stunning design and beautiful art.
Most of these books can be purchased through Bud’s Art Books or Stuart Ng Books.
John Fleskes
Flesk Publications