Bookback Paintings

A Satisfying Way to Recycle Old Books

I have accumulated a lot of old books in my house that are not worth anything to anybody such as old, outdated textbooks. However, their covers are made from very sturdy cardboard covered with painted fabric. Rather than send them to be recycled whole, I get out my mat knife and slice off the covers first. I know it seems sacrilegious to cut up books, yet in this era, I see these books more as material objects than sources for information. I clean and prime the covers and proceed to use them as canvas board for little acrylic paintings all approximately 8" by 11".

Azalea

 Bee Balm

 Chestnut

 Lily

 Mint

 Flowers on the Deck

 Heather Bed

Phlox and Black-Eyed Susan

 Zinnias

Hazel Sleeping

Green Umbrellas Diptych

Hazel and Maeve

Maeve

Jean and Maeve

Quinnie and Hazel

Ruby

Studies after John Singer Sargent's Carnation Lily Lily Rose