About Ideal Bookshelf

I started the Ideal Bookshelf project in 2007. I paint portraits of people through the spines of their favorite books: the ones that changed your life, that defined who you are, that you read again and again. 

I will paint your books or you can buy affordable prints of other sets, here in this shop. You can see new work and other news in our blog, and if you see a bookshelf there that you love but don't see prints of it available, please just ask about it!

Writer Thessaly La Force and I made a book called My Ideal Bookshelf, published by Little, Brown. 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.

Ideal Bookshelf is now a very small team of folks, working to create beautiful things and send them out to you as quickly as possible. Please don't hesitate to email us if you have any questions, and I love to hear suggestions on genres of books to paint next, or how you think this shop could be improved.

For more, you can also find us on:

Twitter  •  Facebook  •  Pinterest  •  Instagram  •  Etsy

All my best--

Bio

Jane Mount is an artist and illustrator, born in Atlanta and formed in Manhattan. In past incarnations she has studied anthropology, co-founded three companies, and won awards for her graphic and interior design skills. Her paintings of bookshelves have caught the eye of media outlets including The New Yorker, The Paris Review, DailyCandy, and InStyle. She lives in northern California with her Swiss husband and two cats. [Photo by David Bienz]   Jane's blog  |  work  | @janemount