 | Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com | How DO they do it? If you could ask your favorite artist or crafter only one question, chances are you'd ask about creativity: Where do your ideas come from? How did you get started? What are your tricks for overcoming blocks? In Living the Creative Life, author Rice Freeman-Zachery has compiled answers to these questions and more from 15 successful artists in a variety of mediums--from assemblage to fiber arts, beading to mixed-media collage. Creativity is different for everyone, and these artists share their insights on the muse (if you believe in her), keeping a sketchbook (or not), and prioritizing your art, whether you aspire to create solely for your own pleasure or to become a full-time artist. * Try your hand at creative jumpstarts straight from the pros.
* Glimpse the artists' innermost thoughts and works in progress as you peruse pages from their journals and notebooks.
* Share textile artist Sas Colby's triumph over creative block during an exotic art retreat.
* Learn how internationally acclaimed artist James Michael Starr uses experience from his former "day job" to fuel his creation today.
* Explore the work of Michael deMeng, Claudine Hellmuth, Melissa Zink and the other artists right alongside their insights. No crafter or artist should live the creative life without Living the Creative Life! The inspiration is contagious. |
Average Customer Rating:   jump start your creativity! I was perusing in the bookstore (not looking for a book on this subject matter or anything in particular) when I came across this book. First, I had to pick it up because it is so beautiful. The artwork and the overall design of the book felt like an inspiration without having even read anything at that point. Second, as a creative person by nature, I was feeling like I needed a little inspiration.
A few things to highlight:
* I love that the author actually discusses the workspace. I feel that most artistic people feel like they need their workspace to draw out a level of creativity before they can even start a project. Giving the reader things to do to better their workspace (even as simple as a coat of paint) is brilliant.
* The journaling section is absolutely fantastic. You can use this to inspire your other art, or actually make the journal a work of art in itself. I found this a great way to jumpstart artistic ideas!
* Photos of other artists' work. Brilliant. I love some of them. Like most of them. Respect all of them.
If you are an artist that is stuck in a rut and needing some inspiration, I highly suggest this book! Or, if you have a creative friend, it would make a thoughtful and well received gift. Simply...Beautiful In my possession is a stamp set that has two phrases: "I am an artist" and "I am not an artist". The former sits clean in the box, the latter is black with use. I am not an artist and will never be an artist...and I'm okay with that. I DO, however, enjoy the creative process--whichever form should happen to emerge at any given time. Taking a path of creativity is taking a journey inward...to the soul and back again.
This lovely book with gorgeous pictures and illustrations is a journey in itself, filled with enticements, wonder and inspiration. Ms. Freeman-Zachary presents 15 very different artists who work with a variety of mediums. Their work is showcased with utmost care and every example glistens with originality and deliciousness.
I especially enjoyed the "try this" prompts throughout the book...nudges to allow my own creative process to sprout wings and soar. The message I received from this lovely book is that I do not have to declare myself an artist in order to live a more creative life. The pressure is off and I can fly ever higher. I have the author to thank for that. Now I understand I have always felt as though I didn't fit in, needing to hide what I was doing, or justify it in some way. After reading this book I can say "If you want to understand me, read this!". Everything just fell into place, and all my quirkiness made sense. The artists in the book verbalized many of my thoughts and answered so many questions. I am so glad I bought it. One of the best creativity boosting books out there.... I have been a professional artist, designer and writer since 1981. Over the past 27(!) years I have amassed shelves of books claiming to encourage and develop creativity. I've been to a Julia Cameron (The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity) workshop, read books and magazine articles, tried journal keeping, sketching, and dozens of other techniques purported to enhance creativity.
Where did all this get me? Wanting. Wanting to talk to other artists about how they actually worked. I wanted to talk about workspaces, priorities, making time for art, how they dealt with creative block, and a whole lot more.
So what comes along to answer these questions? Living the Creative Life: Ideas and Inspiration from Working Artists by Rice Freeman-Zachery.
In Living the Creative Life: Ideas and Inspiration from Working Artists, Rice Freeman-Zachery interviewed 15 successful artists in a variety of mediums--from assemblage to fiber arts, beading to mixed-media collage. Since creativity is a different kettle of fish for everyone, having input from 15 artists is invaluable.
Beginning with the first chapter, I can guarantee you will want to put this book down and try out some of the suggestions and exercises that fill the book.
These exercises range from giving up tv, movies, magazines and newspapers and instead reading, sitting quietly and letting the ideas flow in to developing rituals when it is time to work. Beautifully designed, this book will help you find your own way in the art world by listening and learning from those have gone before you.
I recommend this book without reservation. No crafter or artist should live the creative life without Living the Creative Life! The inspiration is contagious. Living the Creative LIfe This book is very well written and has a lot of food for thought. If someone's more into doing than reading, this might not be the best book to get, although she has "try this" inserts all through it. It's a book I'll be looking through again and again; I haven't yet delved into making my own art journal, so no doubt I'll have more to say about the book later. |  |
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