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I requested My Ideal Bookshelf
For each, there is a two-page spread; one side for their reflections and one for a graphic representation of their ideal bookshelf picks, amazingly illustrated by Jane Mount. Here’s a random example:
So I started wondering… if I had to select a small shelf of books that represent me – the few that have helped shape my life – which would I choose? Which ones are my “favorite favorites?”
I pulled out my list of everything I’ve ever read and started to flag ones that could be contenders. I have hung on to my copy of Einstein in Love: A Scientific Romance
And that’s just it… the Preface of the book states that “what you select today may be completely different from what you would assemble tomorrow. It’s a snapshot of you in a moment of time. You could build an ideal bookshelf every year of your life, and it would be completely different. And just as satisfying.” So I don’t feel terrible that I’m more drawn to a book on how to get your child to sleep through the night than a literary classic these days.
So I chose my favorite favorites from my shelves and arranged them. Then for some reason, I decided to try to paint them on canvas. I’m so glad I did! I used a 10×20 canvas board and pared the books down to fit that size too. I marked how thick the spines are and how tall with pencil and sketched it out. Then started mixing colors and painting. I should tell you that I had no idea what I was doing but I just dove in anyway.
The detail of the spines I tackled with fine and extra fine point Sharpies and 05 Microns mostly.
It turned out way better than I expected! It looks so real from across the room. Time seemed to fly by when I was making it too. It took a few days, but I would drop my daughter off at school, begin working on this, and 5 minutes later it was time to pick her up. But it was really 5 hours! Here’s the final canvas.
And here it is next to the books. I just love it!
I am pondering writing a post about these books and why I picked them. Is anyone interested in reading that?
What are your “favorite favorites?” Are they different now than what they were 5 years ago? Do tell!
(No books were harmed in the making of this canvas.) (And to all the awesome books on my shelves and in my heart that I did not select, I still love you… it was so hard to choose!)
You can see more “Behind the Art” posts here.
Naomi! Wow! Your painting is so cool. I love it. Isn’t it amazing how gorgeous these paintings of book spines can be? I think a lot about the beauty of an individual book, but until The Ideal Bookshelf, I had never thought about the beauty of books on a bookshelf. I was so obsessed about the number of books I chose. I ended up with 16. Am I correct that you chose 23?
I didn’t even count them! I actually had a few more but they didn’t fit on the canvas because I painted them actual size. Yes, I’ve seen people organize their shelves by the color of the book’s spine and they end up complementing their decor. I would try it but I wouldn’t ever find what I’m looking for, so I have them grouped by subject. 🙂
I’ve seen the bookshelves organized by color too, which is cool. (I would never be able to find anything either.) But what I was trying to say is I’d never thought about the beauty of a shelf not intentionally arranged for aesthetics. And now I can see the beauty created by the individual spines in relation to one another.
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I LOVE this! Like Lissa, I’m terribly impressed with your book list and it’s makes me feel as if I’m already 28 years behind on the best list ever.
Oh fiddlesticks! You aren’t. Just start now and keep it in your purse. Maybe wander around a bookstore and see how’s many titles you write down. I’m sure I’ve forgotten some too. 🙂
LOVE LOVE LOVE this. Am going to steal this idea!
I’m so glad! Share what you’ve done if you feel like it!
lovely idea, great painting! love the book as well. isn’t it amazing where we find our inspiration sometimes…….
jmeyersforeman recently posted…in store love and street reflections_IMG_7925
What a cool project, Naomi! I’m so impressed that you’ve had the wherewithall to actually keep a list of “everything you’ve ever read!” Years ago I gave away 6 boxes of books for charity/a women’s organization and I wanted to remember what I’d once had on my book shelf, but was no longer there, so I did make a list of those, but I still have shelves and shelves of books yet in possession. I think you have inspired me to make this list … it is a VERY long list, as is yours.
Lissa @ lafcustomdesigns recently posted…Walk and Click Wednesdays #25: Bits and Pieces
Oh yes, I think you should! I started mine on a slow day at work several years ago and used Goodreads online because they suggest titles you’d like based on what you’ve already listed (and I’d read most of those too so it was helpful). I update the Excel spreadsheet every few months and I’m glad to have it. 🙂
Great idea to paint the books, and it looks super wonderful!
Shut. Up. This is too cool!
Literally laughing right now. Thanks!
I recently stumbled upon Jane Mount’s work too, although I didn’t know of the book. I love your painting. Would love to read why you selected the books that you did.
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Oh good!! Now I’ll have a post idea for Friday. 🙂
This is so cool Naomi! You did a fantastic job, I thought it was a photo too at first glance.
Oh my goodness, that is AMAZING!!! I thought it was a photograph at first glance. What talent you have, fantastic job. I hope it is hanging in a spot so that you can reflect on it often. Makes me want to whip up my own picture!
Lol. Thanks! I totally fooled myself too. Maybe I could make them for others and sell them!
this is absolutely BRILLIANT!!!!!
oh how i LOVE this idea.
adore it!
big yummy library-loving thanks for this wonderful share:)
-Jennifer
Jennifer Richardson recently posted…one enchanted evening…
Aw thank you!
This is AWESOME!! I agree with Aunt Val, you are very creative to think about painting them and not just taking a photo! Yes, I would love to hear about some of your books.
Cathy H recently posted…Scavenger Hunt Sunday ~ February 17, 2013
I just resquested the book you suggested from the library and also found another one I thought would be interesting “Everything I Need To Know I Learned From A Children’s Book.” I love and collect children’s books. Thanks for the book suggestion!
Cathy H recently posted…Scavenger Hunt Sunday ~ February 17, 2013
Ooh! That one sounds great. Requesting it now from my library…
I didn’t miss the point of the books you chose. I just had to comment that you’re so awesomely creative to have decided to paint your choices. What a great idea and I can’t wait to see where you hang that painting in your home so invite me over soon. I miss you.