I’ve been following a conversation about good art books recently and I love a good book!

Thought I’d share 3 art books that are top of my list right now ……

‘The Artist’s Journey’ The Wake of the Hero’s Journey and the Lifelong Pursuit of Meaning

by Steven Pressfield

This book is written in an easy to read, direct style and always reminds me about what’s important and how to think about issues like resistance and self-sabotage and the mindsets that help address them.

There is an interesting interview with Steven Pressfield HERE

This book is a source of many inspirational quotes for my studio!

‘Clear Seeing Place’ Studio Visits by Brian Rutenberg

I’m savouring this book!

I love the mix of thoughts, opinions, techniques, anecdotes and personal observations ……

“My love affair with the colour of oysters began at an early age. At low tide, their shells, delicate as pastry, cupped shallow puddles of salt water and pale mud. I’d lie on my stomach examining their color, just a breath itself, and imagine swimming in their palm sized oceans. Decades later, I realised this wasn’t the daydreaming of a child, but the mechanics of how a painter sees the world”

A conversation about art and the painting life!

‘Line’ - Creative Painting Series Gemma Guasch & Josep Asuncion

This is and excellent and practical guide to line, in relation to painting. It explores many techniques and creative approaches to using line.

I love browsing all the examples of artists working with line and pondering the possibilities!

There is one other book that I absolutely love … not an art book as such but one which has a lot to say about the creative process …..

‘A Swim in the Pond in the Rain’ by George Saunders

If you are interested in the short story form and the classic Russian authors (ie Chekhov, Tolstoy ….) you will love this!

I’d love to hear if you have a favourite art book to recommend?

Thanks for reading … I appreciate your time and interest ….CC