A search on my county library system for "creativity" shows a list of 230 books. Living an artistic life falls under "self actualization" and that search shows a list of 423 books!
What is an artist with limited time to do? Jaime to the rescue!
I have narrowed down the enormous selection to 5 books worthy of your precious time away from the studio. Not only are they all fantastic, they will help you to live the life you dreamed of.
Note: All images swiped from Amazon.com where all these wonderful books are sold. The links go directly to the authors' personal sites.
Read and be inspired!
1.Make Your Creative Dreams Real: A Plan for Procrastinators, Perfectionists, Busy People, and People Who Would Really Rather Sleep All Day by SarkSark’s charming art, handwriting and refreshing honesty will delight you. She helps all of us to choose what we love and do it!
Highlight: “Micromovements” help you go move towards your creative dreams, even when they seem overwhelmingly big. They are short tasks to get past your inner perfectionist and to move procrastinators (like me!) into action.
2. I’d Rather Be in the Studio by Alyson StanfieldI cannot say enough good things about this book. It helps with everything from social networking, business planning, artist statements, and marketing yourself as a professional artist. An absolute must for any artist.
Highlights: Tie between the Artist Statement and Social Networking sections. Write an exciting artist statement to tell about yourself, your art and your process. The social networking section will help you get out there in the world to tell them what you do. Better get that blog and
website rolling!
3. The Savvy Crafter's Guide To Success: Turn Your Crafts Into A Career by Sandy McCallDon’t let the term “Crafter” throw you off: this book is for artists too! Interviews with artists who are supporting themselves by making and selling art help inspire you to think outside of the gallery.
Highlight: Full of lots of beautiful artwork throughout the book. The forms (such as a workshop contract) that you can use as a template to prepare your own documents are priceless.
4. Living the Creative Life: Ideas and Inspiration from Working Artists by Rice Freeman-ZacherySee inside other artists’ studios and learn through photos and interviews how they work. Spark your own creativity with prompts that are fun and inspirational.
Highlight: The “Try This” section! Prompts which address different aspects of the living the artist’s life and how to keep the creativity flowing out into phenomenal art.
5. The Creative Entrepreneur: A DIY Visual Guidebook for Making Business Ideas Real - Lisa Sonora BeamUsing visual journaling, you explore the aspects of business that usually make artists shudder.
Highlight: The SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) Analysis section helps you figure out your business strategy in a fun and non-threatening activity. The business work that creative people can enjoy!
Your Turn: What books inspire you to live your best, fullest and most creative life? What keeps you coming back for more? Share with us!
#3 sounds like it is for me! Too funny that I'm intimidated by the word artist, but am totally comfortable with the word crafter.
ReplyDeleteWhat a good list. I love SARK! I am an artist and writer. I hope you don't mind 2 links. My list is 13 Ways to Celebrate Earth Month, and perhaps as an artist you might enjoy Junkmail Mosaic.
ReplyDeleteDawn, this book is totally for you. I am surprised I didn't think of it before. It has an section about making stamps, art licensing, and stuff like that. Since you have been making art for 14 years or more, I think you can claim the title of artist!
ReplyDeleteHi Thorne,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment. Your list is cool and I love the idea of trash into art. I couldn't get the second link to work though. It said that this site is restricted and that I needed a password to see it.
Can never forget the classic The Artists Way by Julia Cameron. It broken open the floodgates for me when it comes to writing. Ann LaMott's Bird by Bird is another great one, again for the writer moreso than artist.
ReplyDeleteI never could get into The Artist's Way or her second one Vein of Gold. I tried, just never clicked for me. As for the writing, I have a whole separate list prepared for that one and Bird by Bird is on it.
ReplyDelete