http://www.amazon.com/Backing-Into-Forward-Jules-Feiffer/dp/0385531583/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273432462&sr=1-1

I like the art of Amy Sillman, who I found in "Inside the Painters Studio" by Joe Fig (good book).

http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artists/artpages/sillman_Cliff_1.htm

I've been reading "Backing into Forward" by Jules Feiffer.  I love the cartoon art history and Feiffer's take on how American culture opened up on the 50's and 60's.  He's a really good writer.