News Art Blog

Continuing a tradition I started last year, here’s a very personal, very subjective, “I can’t read everything, so I probably left out something, so mention it in the comments, OK?” list of the best art books of 2012 in no particular order, along with links to my reviews. Please come over to Picture This at Big Think to read more of "What Were the Best Art Books of 2011?"

[Image source: Shutterstock.com.]

[Many thanks to all the publishers and museums that provided me with review copies and other press materials in 2011. You all make my job so much easier with your kindness, generosity, and professionalism.]

Big Think.com, the host of Picture This, has been named the number 1 website for news and information by TIME Magazine (see above). It's a great honor for a great site, and I'm not just saying that because I'm part of the awesome team of bloggers they've assembled. If you haven't stopped by Big Think.com and Picture This yet, what are you waiting for?

While not as visible or exclusive as Mount Rushmore (above), I am honored and delighted to be included among the "Top 50 Art History Blogs" according to Master's Degree.net. Check out the list for some of your old favorites or find some new favorites today.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays to everyone who's been following things here on Art Blog By Bob over the years. 2010's been an eventful year. Alex is a year older now. Little brother Jamie arrived in February and has been 10 months' worth of love. I completed my MA in Education and plunged into the teaching profession full time. Ironically, I fled the corporate world and found myself teaching a college class in, of all things, writing for the corporate world. Blogging for Big Think has changed the look and feel of Art Blog By Bob from the first few years--making it less personal at times--but I hope that the same individual voice comes through in the writing. However, going professional, so to speak, doesn't allow me to indulge in these personal little asides. So here are some photos to put you in the holiday mood. Peace and joy to all in a better and more beautiful 2011.