(aka Thoughts and Concepts Worth Pondering)

I love books!

While I like many types of books and read both fiction and non-fiction, the ones listed below have been influential (to varying degrees) during the ongoing "art development" phase of my life.

Just as I hope you'll find my choices to be stimulating, I find it interesting to hear about the books that have been influential for you. Please email me input on your reading list and feedback on mine.

Fundamentals

Art Fundamentals:
Theory and Practice

Ocvirk – Stinson – Wigg – Bone
This is an old book, circa 1960’s, that has been updated several times. It was the basic textbook for an Art 101 college course that I took years ago. Probably any basic art textbook will suffice. When looking for a basic book like this, you'll want a complete guide to art theory that gives some art history and explains the basic principles of design.

Design Synectics:
Stimulating Creativity in Design

Nicholas Roukes - © 1988
This is an updated version of a textbook with a little different take on the basic principles and elements of design. Also has interesting exercises and projects.

DRAWING

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain

Betty Edwards - © 1979
Updated 1989,1999
This book has become the "Bible" for teaching drawing over the years. It’s used in all school levels including college and it widely used in art schools. I have also seen it used and/or referred to by quilt teachers. If you want to learn to draw, with a little self-discipline, you could easily work through this book on your own. The exercises are well described and easily accomplished.

Drawing From the Light Within

Judith Cornel, PH.D. - © 1990
This book appealed to me because I liked the use of patterning and added color into some basic drawing skills. It also addresses the creative component of the drawing process.

Zen Seeing, Zen Drawing

Fredrick Franck - © 1993
A good compliment to the first two in this category. Mr. Franck’s approach gets much more into your head and heart and explores the idea of being one with your drawing and the subject. Very Zen.

CREATIVITY

Art & Fear

Bayles and Orland - © 1993
Of the many books out on creativity and the psychology of making art, this is usually on the top or near the top of most lists. It’s a small book, easy to read and really lets you know the score when you decide to make art your life. Great information and a must read for those interested in the subject.

No More Secondhand Art
Awakening the Artist Within

Peter London - © 1989
This book was quite insightful to me and made some good points. I really appreciated some comments early in the book about having unrealistic expectations. It also addresses the issue of a person’s commitment to their art in terms of time spent perfecting their art/craft and focus.

FEARLESS CREATING

Eric Maisel, Ph.D. - © 1995
This book and this author writes and teaches creativity to those in all areas of the arts, visual and performing. He communicates well the psychology of the process of making art. It’s a great book to work through and gives good insight into each part of the process.

SLEEP THINKING

Eric Maisel, Ph.D. - © 2000
I love the concept of this book and it’s theory. I have not worked all the way through this but do intend to train myself to do more with my creative mind while sleeping. I have become more aware of sleep thoughts/dreams and their problem solving properties and also aware of some really great solutions that happen just before waking in the morning. Looking forward to the journey through these ideas.

Creating

Robert Fritz - © 1991
This author has written other books an leads seminars on creativity and the creative process. He has some very good ideas on organizing your creative life. The principles in this book offer common sense ideas that would be beneficial in all phases of your life.

The Artist Way

Julia Cameron
This book looked at creativity in a different way by reducing the process to a twelve-step program. Many people in all areas of the arts have found this program quite helpful. I tried working through the whole process and while it did not all work for me, some of the parts and some of the information was quite helpful.

CLAIMING YOUR CREATIVE SELF

True Stories From the Everyday Lives of Women

Eileen M. Clegg - © 1998
This is a compilation of stories about how these unrelated women have used creativity to make their lives fuller and more meaningful. It is a great “feel good” book and an easy read that makes many good points. The stories illustrate how to take this information, combine it with the information gleaned from the other books in this category and figure out how this translates to your own everyday life.

MAKING ART

The following is a list of books that are full of exercises and theories about making art and getting the creative juices flowing in a “hands on” way. Each has a different twist but all have merit and can have interesting things to try when wanting to stretch and/or grow in a new direction.

Pencil Drawing

Mari Messer - ©

Life, Paint and Passion

Michell Cassou and Stewart Cubley - © 1995

Celebrate Your Creative Self

Mary Todd Beam - © 2001

Learning by Heart

Cortia Kent and Jan Steward - ©

Freeing the Creative Spirit

Adriana Diaz - © 1992

Living The Life Of An Artist

There are three books by Judy Chicago that really spoke to me.

• Through the Flower
• Beyond the Flower
• The Dinner Party

all tell the story of the journey by a talented, committed, and groundbreaking artist.

 

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