Some of my most favorite books on
artists and the creative process
I’m a sucker for books about other artist’s habits/creative rituals - whatever gets them out of bed in the morning. Whether it’s to validate or vindicate my own sometimes rigid, sometimes sloppy practices, I distract myself with the ways other creatives keep from being distracted to go from stasis to studio.
Read my full review HERE:
More than any other artist, Robert Rauschenberg has been a constant source of inspiration for me. His rugged, visceral gestures of paint combined with imagery both relevant and irreverent never seem to date. This definitive tome on Robert Rauschenberg is the most conclusive book I have found on his work with tons of gorgeous photos of his 2D and 3D paintings and Combines.
The Journey is the Destination: The Journals of Dan Eldon
Many of you may be familiar with the jammed packed journals of Dan Eldon, a young photo journalist and collage artist who passed away far too young in the field. The pages of his journals here show a young man bursting with life and ideas and adventures, combining photos, found objects, painting and writing.
Evidence: The Art of Candy Jernigan
I don’t remember how I first heard about Candy Jernigan, but I fell in love with her quirky and distinctive drawings and collages through this book. They are mostly travelogues to various places she visited in her short life, but instead of a snapshot of the Colosseum, she collected dust or toilet paper from the Vatican and made work infinitely more interesting!
Rivers and Tides - a film about Andy Goldsworthy
If you are a fan of Andy Goldsworthy like I am, this documentary about his singular approach to art-making and the ephemeral transitory nature of his work in each environment, is a must. His commitment to his work, and subsequent sacrifices, show the lengths some artists will go to for their art.
Stone By Andy Goldsworthy
It’s hard to choose just one of Andy Goldsworthy’s books, so I have several of them. This one focuses on his stone environmental sculptures. Because of the ephemeral nature of his outdoor installations, the photographs are mostly all that remain of his earthworks, although the stone sculptures have more of a shelf life than those made of twigs and leaves.
The Art of Pilgrimage: The Seekers Guide to Making Travel Sacred.
This is one of my favorite books on traveling with intention and making each journey a pilgrimage. Phil Cousineau spent many years working with Joseph Campbell and is equally adept at seeing the mythology and sacred in all things. My copy of this book has more flags than pages, if that’s possible.
The Art of Travel
I gobble up anything about travel and seeing the world in fresh and unique ways. Alain de Botton is a master traveler, wordsmith and SEE-er. In this book he chooses 9 different aspects of travel and juxtaposes his own experiences with artists and poets from the past. In each essay, he uses "guides" such as Wordsworth, Baudelaire, Van Gogh, and Edward Hopper to help us see the world in a new and poetic way.
Beauty - The Invisible Embrace
Many of you might have read Anam Cara, by John O’Donohue - a poet, mystic and lover of beauty. In this book, he examines what makes beauty in our world, and in the heart of the observer. He takes us on a journey of SEEING with all our senses and shows us how linked our longing is to beauty. Savor each chapter, this book can not be rushed.
The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles
This kick-ass book invites you to become a creative warrior. No excuses, no more resistance, just practical get-over-yourself wisdom. Loved it.
The Artist's Journey: The Hero's Journey and the Lifelong Pursuit of Meaning
Another book by Steven Pressfield, who’s subdued his own inner demons and failures. This classic book uses the arc of the Hero’s Journey to illustrate how we all follow archetypal patterns and how to move beyond the inevitable obstacles that block our way.
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
Elizabeth Gilbert
Best known for Eat, Pray, Love, this is Elizabeth Gilbert’s definitive book on facing fear in the creative process and in life. With her readable, witty, and gentle but take no prisoners approach, she coaxes and nudges us through our own self-limiting fears.