Make Your Art No Matter What
Moving Beyond Creative Hurdles
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- $8.99
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
The Artist's Way for the 21st century—from esteemed creative counselor Beth Pickens.
If you are an artist, you need to make your art. That's not an overstatement—it's a fact; if you stop doing your creative work, your quality of life is diminished. But what do you do when life gets in the way? In this down-to-earth handbook, experienced artist coach Beth Pickens offers practical advice for developing a lasting and meaningful artistic practice in the face of life's inevitable obstacles and distractions. This thoughtful volume suggests creative ways to address the challenges all artists must overcome—from making decisions about time, money, and education, to grappling with isolation, fear, and anxiety. No matter where you are in your art-making journey, this book will motivate and inspire you. Because not only do you need your art—the world needs it, too.
• EXPERT ADVICE: Beth Pickens is an experienced and passionate arts advocate with extensive insight into working through creative obstacles. She has spent the last decade advising artists on everything from financial strategy to coping with grief.
• PRACTICAL AND POSITIVE: This book is both a love letter to art and artists and a hands-on guide to approaching the thorniest problems those artists might face. Pickens offers a warm reminder that you are not alone, that what you do matters, and that someone out there wants you to succeed.
• TIMELESS TOPIC: Like a trusted advisor, this book is an invaluable resource jam-packed with strategies for building a successful creative practice. From mixing business and friendship to marketing yourself on social media, this book can help. And it will—again and again.
Perfect for:
• Visual artists and makers
• Writers, musicians, filmmakers, and other creatives
• Art and design school graduates and grad-gift givers
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Maneuvering around life’s roadblocks can be a monumental task, but Beth Pickens is here to help. A psychologist who specializes in working with artists, Pickens wrote Your Art Will Save Your Life, a guide to nurturing a creative lifestyle. This time around, Pickens gets even more nitty-gritty, offering helpful and inspiring how-tos for getting past the obstacles that keep you from working on your craft. Whether your issues are practical (time, money, family) or personal (fear, insecurity), Pickens offers easy-to-follow strategies for handling real-world issues while making art. Along with philosophical advice—we especially loved the chapter on simply giving yourself permission to call yourself an artist—Pickens gets real on topics like how to create art when you have a full-time job, how to manage your finances while you’re getting started, and how to get comfortable with marketing yourself and your work. This book isn’t just for visual artists—whether you’re a part-time poet or an aspiring podcaster, Pickens will give you the confidence to get your creative projects in gear.