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Los Angeles native Mike Stilkey has always been attracted to painting and drawing not only on vintage paper, record covers and book pages, but on the books themselves. Using a mix of ink, colored pencil, paint and lacquer, Stilkey depicts a melancholic and at times a whimsical cast of characters inhabiting ambiguous spaces and narratives of fantasy and fairy tales. A lingering sense of loss and longing hints at emotional depth and draws the viewer into their introspective thrall with a mixture of capricious poetry, wit, and mystery. His work is reminiscent of Weimar-era German expressionism and his style has been described by some as capturing features of artists ranging from Edward Gorey to Egon Schiele. His work has been exhibited throughout the United States as well as internationally.


“The Lady Of Arlington”. Currently on view at Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum in Mesa, AZ.  The title comes from one of the books hidden in the piece. (Photo and caption by Mike Stilkey)

“The Lady Of Arlington”. Currently on view at Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum in Mesa, AZ. The title comes from one of the books hidden in the piece. (Photo and caption by Mike Stilkey)




“Everything You Always Wanted To Know”. I like to think of my artwork as one giant poem.  I never really have a concrete idea of what I’m going to do. I just kind of feel my way through it and it comes out in a way that I don’t always expect.  I really try not to edit myself too much. (Photo and caption by Mike Stilkey)

“Everything You Always Wanted To Know”. I like to think of my artwork as one giant poem. I never really have a concrete idea of what I’m going to do. I just kind of feel my way through it and it comes out in a way that I don’t always expect. I really try not to edit myself too much. (Photo and caption by Mike Stilkey)




“Discarded Romance”. This is the largest book installation I've done to date.  It was originally shown in Hong Kong Times Square. It's 24 feet high by 13 feet wide.  It now permanently resides at Fully Booked in Manila, Philippines. (Photo and caption by Mike Stilkey)

“Discarded Romance”. This is the largest book installation I've done to date. It was originally shown in Hong Kong Times Square. It's 24 feet high by 13 feet wide. It now permanently resides at Fully Booked in Manila, Philippines. (Photo and caption by Mike Stilkey)




“Portrait of John F. Kennedy”. Commissioned by the Washington Post for the 50th Anniversary of JFK's assassination.  It garnered the front page of the Washington Post on October 27, 2013.  (Photo and caption by Mike Stilkey)

“Portrait of John F. Kennedy”. Commissioned by the Washington Post for the 50th Anniversary of JFK's assassination. It garnered the front page of the Washington Post on October 27, 2013. (Photo and caption by Mike Stilkey)




“Cats”. I really love animals and I think they are often overlooked or underestimated.  Sometimes I can see the feelings and emotions in animals when I can’t see them in humans, so it’s easier for me to express the feelings in a lot of my animal characters. (Photo and caption by Mike Stilkey)

“Cats”. I really love animals and I think they are often overlooked or underestimated. Sometimes I can see the feelings and emotions in animals when I can’t see them in humans, so it’s easier for me to express the feelings in a lot of my animal characters. (Photo and caption by Mike Stilkey)




“Doorways to Poetry”. Although I work on many different types of material, recently it has been primarily books.  I reuse books that have been discarded or that are going to be destroyed.  There are several local libraries that I work with who donate large numbers of books to me, as they know I will give them a second life in my artwork. (Photo and caption by Mike Stilkey)

“Doorways to Poetry”. Although I work on many different types of material, recently it has been primarily books. I reuse books that have been discarded or that are going to be destroyed. There are several local libraries that I work with who donate large numbers of books to me, as they know I will give them a second life in my artwork. (Photo and caption by Mike Stilkey)




“Tomorrow is Better”. My most recent installation.  It can currently be seen at BDX LAX in Bordeaux, France. The reaction has been overwhelming, especially for the larger scale installations that I create.  They resonate with people of all ages – whether they are 5 years old or 80 years old – because everyone can relate to a book. I also think part of the appeal is that I reuse books that have been discarded or that are going to be destroyed so I can give them a second life in my art. (Photo and caption by Mike Stilkey)

“Tomorrow is Better”. My most recent installation. It can currently be seen at BDX LAX in Bordeaux, France. The reaction has been overwhelming, especially for the larger scale installations that I create. They resonate with people of all ages – whether they are 5 years old or 80 years old – because everyone can relate to a book. I also think part of the appeal is that I reuse books that have been discarded or that are going to be destroyed so I can give them a second life in my art. This has led me to partner with local libraries and bookstores; they frequently donate large numbers of books they are getting rid of. They are happy to know that the books are going to be reincarnated as a piece of art. (Photo and caption by Mike Stilkey)




“The Piano Has Been Drinking”. Inspired by a Tom Waits song with the same title.  I can often listen to a song and visualize the painting or image that would accompany it. (Photo and caption by Mike Stilkey)

“The Piano Has Been Drinking”. Inspired by a Tom Waits song with the same title. I can often listen to a song and visualize the painting or image that would accompany it. (Photo and caption by Mike Stilkey)




“Opinions of a Philosopher”. It was sort of an accident for me to paint on books.  I was painting on book pages for forever, and actually published a book titled “100 Portraits” in which I drew one hundred portraits on old book pages.  At the time, I was drawing on books, records or anything else I could find at a thrift store. (Photo and caption by Mike Stilkey)

“Opinions of a Philosopher”. It was sort of an accident for me to paint on books. I was painting on book pages for forever, and actually published a book titled “100 Portraits” in which I drew one hundred portraits on old book pages. At the time, I was drawing on books, records or anything else I could find at a thrift store. Eventually, I started drawing on the books themselves. I was going to do a project where I just drew on the covers of the books, and as I finished them I would stack them against the wall. It dawned on me that it might be a good idea to paint down the spines of the books instead of just on the covers. (Photo and caption by Mike Stilkey)




“The Quite Allure of Existence”. I love the idea that animals have human characteristics and emotions.  I observe this every day with our cats. (Photo and caption by Mike Stilkey)

“The Quite Allure of Existence”. I love the idea that animals have human characteristics and emotions. I observe this every day with our cats. (Photo and caption by Mike Stilkey)




“Dry All My Tears”. My parents were drug addicts so I’m sure that living with that has influenced the emotion that is conveyed in my artwork.  When I initially found art it was during a very hard time for me. I would drift off into la la land and paint these people that didn’t exist.  Since I started making art, I’ve always approached it in a very poetic way.  I consider each painting to be a poem. I’m definitely not a novelist.  Art saved my life. (Photo and caption by Mike Stilkey)

“Dry All My Tears”. My parents were drug addicts so I’m sure that living with that has influenced the emotion that is conveyed in my artwork. When I initially found art it was during a very hard time for me. I would drift off into la la land and paint these people that didn’t exist. Since I started making art, I’ve always approached it in a very poetic way. I consider each painting to be a poem. I’m definitely not a novelist. Art saved my life. (Photo and caption by Mike Stilkey)
31 Jul 2014 10:17:00