American artist Mike Stilkey uses books discarded by libraries to create his unusual artworks. He stacks the hardcover books and paints directly on their spines. Working with ink, paint, colored pencil, and lacquer, he creates lighthearted paintings of humans and animals alike. Stilkey invents most of the characters in his paintings, like the horse and bear—both musicians—in the two works above. The artist recognizes that by painting directly on used books, he introduces multiple layers to his work. Stilkey explains, “I’m putting my story on someone else’s story, and the book itself has a story—where it’s been, who’s read it.”