# Bookworm Portraiture The Unique Painted Book Sculptures by Mike Stilkey are Novel By Marissa Liu | Published 2009-11-12 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/painted-book-sculptures References: [fecalface](http://www.fecalface.com/SF/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1428) & [mikestilkey](http://www.mikestilkey.com/) These stunning painted book sculptures by Mike Stilkey use recycled books and book spines as canvases to create whimsical and unique portraits. Stilkey, an LA-based artist, relied on book donations by [Rice University](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rice-university-1) and bookstores in the Houston area to create his wonderful pieces of art. Many of the books used to create these playful portraits and painted book sculptures by Mike Stilkey were salvaged. Stilkey liked the idea of [reusing discarded items as canvases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/daon-pottery). Creative, eco-conscious and unique art work fit for an arty bookworm--how novel! ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.3/10 - Popularity: 53% | Activity: 9% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Modern](https://www.trendhunter.com/modern) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Recycled Book Art:** Using books as canvases for creating unique art pieces is a disruptive innovation opportunity. - **Whimsical Portraiture:** The trend of creating playful portraits using unconventional mediums can be a disruptive innovation opportunity. - **Sustainable Art:** The trend of eco-conscious art, like Stilkey's recycled book art, presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for sustainable practices in the art industry. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Art:** There is a potential disruptive innovation opportunity in using unconventional mediums to create art, like recycled books, to appeal to a wider audience. - **Education:** The education industry can benefit from this trend by incorporating more art into their curriculum to teach sustainable practices. - **Publishing:** The trend of using recycled books for art pieces presents a potential disruptive innovation opportunity for the publishing industry to sell more eco-friendly books using leftover or damaged materials. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Customizable Book Portraits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lagom-collection1.md) - [Sophisticated Upcycled Home Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/basket-sculptures.md) - [Sculptural Bookshelves Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sculptural-bookshelf.md) - [Otherworldly Wooden Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wooden-sculptures-1.md) - [Recycled Bar Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bar-installation.md) - [Vibrantly Colorful Dynamic Artwork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kayla-rumpp.md) - [Wooden Light-Hearted Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dream-sculpture.md) - [Book-Themed Collectibles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/booksy.md) - [3D-Printed Flip Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stl-sculptures.md)