How Books Can Inspire and Motivate Your Art Practice
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EPISODE 174
With social media becoming increasingly fast-paced and fewer photographs of artwork showing up, my appreciation for a good old book filled with art and creativity has grown! In this episode, I talk about a new series I’m sharing on YouTube where I explore my favorite creative books across different categories. Richie and I chat about how these books inspire my art practice, and I also open up about recent challenges with my online class platform. These struggles have deepened my appreciation for creativity, which leads us to discuss the importance of staying open to inspiration, chasing dreams, and thinking about the legacy we leave behind.
Here is a summary of what we discussed:
The Power of Physical Books: I shared my love for physical art books and how they serve as a vital source of inspiration, especially in our increasingly digital world. There's something special about flipping through pages filled with beautiful brushstrokes, vibrant colours, and rich textures.
Challenges and Gratitude: I opened up about my recent struggles with my online class platform and how these challenges have made me appreciate the creative aspects of my work even more. Richie and I discussed the importance of gratitude and finding work that aligns with our true selves.
Art Books as Escapism: We talked about how art books can be a form of escapism, offering a tactile and visual experience that audiobooks can't quite match.
Book Series on YouTube: We reference my recent decision to create a series of YouTube videos on my favorite art books, organised by themes like colour, botanical inspiration, and geometric design.
Legacy and Creativity: Richie shared a touching story about a conversation with his aunt, which led us to reflect on the significance of legacy in an artist's life. We talked about how reading about other artists' journeys, like Hilma af Klint, has motivated us to think about our own artistic legacies.
Practical Inspiration: I mentioned my love for color palettes and how interior design books often inspire my work. We also discussed the challenges of finding certain out-of-print art books and the joy of discovering new titles that expand our creative horizons.
Mindset Matters: We touched on the importance of mindset in the creative process. I shared some of my favorite books that have helped me develop a positive and productive mindset, including "The Creative Act" by Rick Rubin and "Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert.
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BOOKS MENTIONED
For your convenience, I’ve included Amazon affiliate links for the books mentioned. If you decide to purchase through these links, I'll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps support my work!
Austin Kleon: Steal Like an Artist
Hilma af Klint: Paintings for the Future by Tracey Bashkof
Gypsy by Sibella Court
Barbara Rae: Sketchbooks and Arctic Sketchbooks
1,500 Color Mixing Recipes for Oil, Acrylic & Watercolor by William F. Powell
Welcome to the Museum series: Botanicum and Aboretum
Print & Pattern series by Bowie Style: Nature and Geometric Design
Books by Amber Creswell Bell: Australian Abstract, Still Life, A Painted Landscape
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
The Spark and the Grind by Erik Wahl
WANT MORE INSPIRATION?
My 6-week signature course, Modern Mixed Media, will help you gather inspiration, build skills in watercolour and mixed media, and develop your unique style. Registration is opening soon, so click the button below to join the waitlist. Thousands of students have connected with their creativity through this course—don’t miss out on the next intake!
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