Even talent is rarely distinguishable, over the long run, from perseverance and lots of hard work.” The need to separate the artist from their art. In large measure becoming an artist consists of learning to accept yourself, which makes your work personal, and in following your own voice, which makes your work distinctive. “Artmaking involves skills that can be learned.

But while talent–not to mention fate, luck, and tragedy–all play their role in human destiny, they hardly rank as dependable tools for advancing your own art on a day-to-day basis.” it is a species of fear–the fear that your fate is in your own hands, but that your hands are weak. “This view is inherently fatalistic and offers no useful encouragement to those who would make art. Here are just a few of the themes and excerpts from this amazing book: Great art does not depend on great talent. This, of course, is the idea behind Skinny Artist - to be able to connect all types of artists and give them both the information and the courage they need to live their art everyday. So although we may not be as unique as we think, we don’t have to suffer through these fears and doubts alone. In other words, we think that as artists we all face unique problems that we must suffer through alone, but it turns out that we’re all in the same boat. The authors state in the introduction that “the difficulties artmakers face are not remote and heroic, but universal and familiar”. This partially because it is only 122 pages long (so they might actually read it), but also because of the powerful messages it contains for any artist who may be struggling to find their way. It is the one book that I have consistently recommended more than any other to my fellow artists.

If I had to pick one book that changed my entire perspective on art and gave me the courage to become a writer, it was “Art & Fear”. “Art & Fear” by David Bayles & Ted OrlandĪvailable at your local bookstore and at ~$10

It is my hope that you will enjoy them as much as I have. I truly believe that any of the books in this series would be relevant for all types of artists including writers, musicians, visual artists, photographers, or anyone else who’s work is creatively inspired. These particular books were chosen because they have dramatically changed my perspective as both a writer and as a human being

This is the first in an ongoing series where we’ll be talking about a small collection of amazing books that deal with art and the creative process.

Art and Fear by David Bayles