Making Art a Practice
How to Be the Artist You Are
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
Helping artists catapult into further action, this guide is a treasury of insight and inspiration. Rather than focus on art techniques that build skills or overcome creative blocks through playful activities or writing, this guide walks the artist through exercises designed to develop the personal qualities critical to being an artist in the world, such as courage, the ability to look and see, and connection to the true creative self. This is a hands-on, experiential action book designed to get the reader creating art and exploring a variety of possibilities for being an artist. According to the teachings of this handbook, engagement with art is less about end results or products and more about the self-awareness and competence that frees the artist to seek out and create work that is vital. This is a rigorous programme that allows artists of any skill level to deepen their creative habits and be the best artists possible.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Illustrator and artist Bennett (The Confident Creative) has crafted an inspirational handbook for artists of all media in this slim volume. Encouraging the use of not just the different physical materials of art watercolors, charcoal, sketchbooks, and clay but also introspection and meditation, Bennett asserts that the focus of an art practice should be on "connecting with and growing our creativity" as a whole. The book leads readers to do just that through 30 simple exercises (both practical and reflective) and useful appendixes outlining supplies, how to establish a supportive artists' community, and additional teachings. Bennett's commitment to the goal of a Zen-like existence she is a longtime yoga devotee is threaded throughout: "No matter our dreams," she implores, "no matter the mess we're in the doubts, the unfinished work, the confusion where we are is perfect. This goes for our human journey and for our creative journey too." In this way, she likens the creative process and its many facets to a spiritual voyage and a lifelong exercise in self-awareness, acceptance, and compassion. Her approach makes the lessons and philosophy of this book applicable to all artists and readers; it's "a metaphor for how we might bring our creative explorations to life, and bring ourselves to life too, whether we paint or send messages to the moon." Photos.
