Ideal Bookshelf: Jen Bekman

I've now painted over 600 Ideal Bookshelf sets, and probably about 10,000 individual books. I generally have a very short attention span, but even now when someone sends me a list or photo of their favorite books, I feel like I'm opening up a Christmas present. That's how I know this project really does get at something special, a small but true glimpse of who a person really is. And that's why Thessaly La Force and I made My Ideal Bookshelf. I painted the favorite books of over 100 creative thinkers from all fields (from writers and chefs to artists, ballet dancers and musicians), and Thessaly interviewed them about their choices and how they became who they are today. I've known Jen Bekman for many years now, ever since she bought one of my very first bookshelf paintings, on Etsy. I was already a fan of 20x200 then, and jumped around my apartment when I got the order, because I knew it would lead to great things. We met in person soon after and realized we're both old-school internet