This is the Book.......

......I wish I had written.

Even before I have finished it I have had an epiphany...... 

I realize even the 'great artists' weren't always great. 

They had bad days, bad paintings/sketches/ideas...... 

They erased! 

They had dark days, they threw away bad paintings/writings.....

They questioned themselves.....

Their sketchbooks weren't full of wonderful things......

And now I realize this isn't even NEWS!!! 

Everyone comes to know this.....but in their own time. 

I have been lamenting of late that I keep seeing the same things over and over out there in 'the real world'. 

Nothing is new. 

And then I realized nothing is ever new. 

It's just that there is always a new generation and to them it IS new. 

I suppose I come to this realization a bit late.....and most of you have already figured it all out but I find it comforting. 

And in that comfort I find a new calmness. 

I didn't mean to go all touchy feely on you.....but I did want to recommend the book! 

What I’m Reading

I just finished reading Playing with Sketches

From the blurb on Amazon, it says in part: “Playing with Sketches is a hands-on, fun approach to exploring drawing principles. Beginning with an introduction to the philosophy of learning through the process of play, this book brings you through a series of basic warm-up exercises that can be combined with later projects.”

It is filled with exercises that bring you back to basics. 

At first I wasn’t impressed but the more I got into it the more it ignited my imagination! You read the exercises, you try the exercises and the next thing you know your imagination is taking flight and you can’t work fast enough to keep up with yourself!

I’m not saying that every exercise will be to your liking, or will get your muse in gear, but there are enough that something will appeal to you and set your brain racing! 

Just my humble opinion.........

Look What I Found

Perfect timing for the September 29 Faces Challenge!

Just when I was lamenting that all the magazines do lately is keep repeating the same ‘ole techniques and styles, along comes a whole magazine dedicated to FACES!

I’m reading it S-L-O-W-L-Y, digesting every little tidbit.

I’m half way through and I think I can recommend it…. (by page six I had already ordered three of the books they endorsed!)

I bought the hard copy but it also comes in digital form for anyone who finds it difficult to find on their local newsstand. 

What I'm Reading

Sometimes insomnia and Amazon's '1-click' buying option CAN be a good thing.....

There's no such thing as too many books! 

DUH!!!!

Okay, so I’m not a techie. I’m not up on the latest and greatest. Not even close! And I’m easily impressed.

But this has to be the greatest thing since sliced bread, as my mother used to say!

I’m reading a book on my Tablet, “Grow Your Handmade Business: How to Envision, Develop and Sustain a Creative Business" by Kari Chapin.

In she lists various artists and their websites.

Usually when I’m reading a hardcover book like this and it has links I find myself running to the computer and typing in the address to go to the site.

Well, I no longer need to do that!

Hosannas and angel choirs!

In the digital version the links are ‘live’!!!

As I come across a link I just tap on it and voilà! I’m there!

Like magic I’m whisked away in cyberspace! Without having to type anything!

It even opens in a new tab so I don’t lose my place in the book!

Who knew????

Certainly not me!

Okay, so I’m late to the party….I told you I was easily impressed!

What I’m Reading

I was skeptical when I ordered this book.

I’ve read many ‘How to’ books….. ‘Making it in the Art World’……. ‘Crafting for $$$’s’……….. ‘Make Money Selling Your Art’……. yadda yadda yadda.

I am pleasantly surprised by this simple looking volume.

First I was taken by the title. Because this is the answer I usually give when people ask me what I ‘do’.

Unlike many of the other books that are either too simplistic or too vague this gives actual advice.

How to evaluate your strengths and weakness, assessing what market is right for your type of artwork and then how to go about getting it there.

Some of the suggestions you’re going to know already. 

Some maybe not.

But what struck me most is she has me questioning what I REALLY want out of what I’m producing.

Getting me past the pie in the sky dreams of notoriety (wink wink, nudge nudge) and making me take a realistic look at what is the right fit for ME.

I guess to many of you this is basic stuff.

But there have been one or two sentences that have practically reached out from the page and slapped me upside my head.

DUH!

I give it  ★★★★★

What I'm Reading

Occasionally, when I think it’s really worth it I recommend a book.

This one I wholeheartedly recommend!

I haven’t read any of Austin Kleon’s other books(although after this one I’m on my way to Amazon to order his ‘Steal Like An Artist)  but this one I can say it worth the time.

It’s a ‘Here’s what you should be doing’ kind of book.

It outlines some simple, doable, down to earth strategies for putting yourself out there and making your mark in the big WORLD WIDE WEB.

I thought it made very good sense and made me feel better about some of the choices I’ve made.

Your mileage may vary.

Show Your Work!

What I’m Reading….

Or should I say what I just finished reading.

Because I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next and couldn’t put it down!  Now I’m sad it’s over!  

(I always feel that way when I finish a book that has totally involved me.)

All in the Leaves is about a young independent woman, Anna, who just needs a little nudge to build the life of her dreams.

That nudge comes in the form of a tea leaf reading.

And the fun ride starts there.

Anna and her best friend Chloe travel the countryside looking for the perfect venue for their business (I won’t give it away…) and meet an interesting cast of characters.

I won’t let the cat out of the bag, but I’ll just say I thoroughly enjoyed this romp through the UK with my new friends Anna and Chloe!

Available on iTunes, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Sony and Waterstones.

What I’m Reading

The Muse Is In: An Owner's Manual to Your Creativity

I wasn’t sure about this one when I ordered it.

It was recommended somewhere (blog, FaceBook, I don’t remember.)

Anyway……the first half was pretty much things I’ve already learned but it’s always good to hear them reinforced.

I’m about halfway through and I have to say I like it more and more.

There are some killer lines that I’ve added to my collection of quotes.

So far my favorite is: “Terrify your inner critic!” (Do something outrageous!)

I terrify myself with some of the things I make, she must be downright panicked!

LOOK, I'm in Print!

I may not be IN the magazine, but I’m getting closer!

(What? It counts!!) LOL

This is my newest favorite magazine! And not because I have an ‘inchie’ on the back cover!
(They even got my name right, all lower case letters, the way I sign myself!)

I thought I wrote about it before but I can’t find the post.

So if I’m repeating myself, forgive me.

It’s a new magazine called ‘Featuring’ based in the Netherlands and it’s sooooooo yummy!

Not your usual artsy fartsy (read: snobbish) magazine and not the run of the mill ‘crafty’ magazine.

Wonderful articles, luscious photography and no advertising!

This is the third issue and I highly recommend that you go here and order all three! Right now!

(I am a non paid enthusiast just trying to spread the word because I don’t want to see it go away!)

Postscript: I just found out that you can pay $10 to have your art featured on the Inchie page. For truth in reporting I just want to say I didn’t pay, I was ‘invited” by the amazing and generous editor Marit Barentsen!

Before I Go To Sleep

This is the best book I've read in a long time!
I highly recommend it!

"Before I Go To Sleep" by S.J. Watson
(check out the trailer!)

Apparently

Apparently I had a brain fart ordered two of these by mistake.

Would anyone like one?

It’s still in its plastic wrapper. E-mail me your address and I’ll send it to you.

(First one to comment will get it.)

what I'm reading today........

http://www.yellowowlworkshop.com/

An absolutely amazing book. I’m loving every page.

Advertized as a tool for "low budgets and high expectations."

Christine Schmidt covers a range of fun and creative ideas with straightforward directions on execution.

What I’m reading…….

Creative Time and Space: Making Room for Making Art

“With a fresh approach and an A-list group of contributing artists, Creative Time and Space embraces the idea that making time and space is at the core of creativity. It is not just about managing your time or setting up a studio space, it is about your mindset and about making room in your life for your craft.”

And it’s just that, your mindset! (It’s also great to know I’m not the only one to have a dry spell or feel crushing self doubt!)

Who doesn’t love Amazon?

What are you reading this fine summer day?