5 Must Have Artist Books for Self Confidence, Creativity, Self Development and Business Growth

I've dusted off my bookshelf and selected 5 top 'Must Have' reads/resources to help you with artist self confidence, creativity, self development and business growth. No matter where you are in your current journey there's at least one book here to spark interest and intrigue. Scroll to the bottom for the show links to all 12 books.

Episode Highlights:

• [5:00] And it's again, one that you go back to over and over again, when you're sort of stuck with things, because there are so many tools, there's lots of things to do as far as practice, process and tasks within the book. So things that you actually work on. And an example of some basic tools within the book are 'morning pages'
• [7:15] And over time, this practice will teach you that your mood really doesn't matter. That some of your best creative work gets done on the days where you feel like everything is just going to be plain junk. Now the practice continues on from there. It helps with your ability to stop judging yourself and also to feed your inner artist, child. But this is just an example of one of many tools and practices that every artist should undergo.
• [8:50] Which means we shouldn't feel badly about embracing the influence of others. If we think we're creating something unique, we're not. The key however, is to remix those things that we admire in other artists work and re-imagine them in our own so that we can discover our own path. 
• [9:05] I have a new course coming out in early 2023 called Fused Harmony. And within it, I'm going to be teaching multiple techniques and ways of incorporating resin, encaustic and metal altogether, all in one. Obviously those techniques on their own are nothing unique. Lots of artists create with resin. Lots of artists create within encaustic and many artists create with metal. But the way I'm going to be bringing in all of these techniques together are going to be completely different.
• [10:50] because any painting we see on a wall, in a gallery, there's always a reference of another artist within their work. The key is to  incorporate multiple ideas and multiple elements into the work and to add that little something extra that differentiates yourself from somebody else.
• [12:00] She really dives into vulnerability and that without it, you cannot create. And with vulnerability comes fear, self doubt, comparison, anxiety, and uncertainty. So if you're feeling any of those things that I've just mentioned, you really need to search for this talk. It is going to be one of the best things you've ever watched or listened too.

SHOW NOTES:

12 Book Resources >> Janes Reads List with Bonus Titles

Instagram Account >> @janelovesdesign

Main Website >> taelife.com

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Transcript

Jane: [00:00:00] What is creative living? Well it's any life that is driven more strongly by curiosity than by fear. And that quote is by Elizabeth Gilbert. From her book, Big Magic. Today, I'm going to be sharing with you some must have books for you, the artist, looking to gain inspiration, motivation, confidence. 

 As well, I'm going to be sharing books for self-development and if you're in the business of art, then how you can indeed grow your business as well. So something for everyone here today, no matter where you are in your art journey. So if you're ready let's dive in.

Hey there. I'm Jane Monteith 

[00:01:00] 

Well, hello there, my friend, and welcome to another episode of The curious creator podcast. I'm really excited to be here this week to share with you some amazing must have books. I'm also going to be leaving a link in the show notes with all of the books I mentioned here today, including some bonus titles that I know will be a value for you. So if there's any that really spark your interest then you'll be able to do that easily through the [00:02:00] link.

But if you have these, I'm sure you're going to be familiar with they're very, very popular. And you may already have one or two of these titles on your bookshelf. But I'm also hoping several of them, you haven't yet heard of. And therefore they're going to give you the information to help enhance or improve your art or the direction in which you're taking.

So whether it's building yourself self confidence for actually creating. Or it could be just personal self-development. So something outside of actual art creation or it could be to do with selling art. So maybe you've created lots of art and you're now in that process and you're looking at different avenues and ways of doing that. No matter where you are, I promise you there's going to be something here in this list that is going to speak to you and you're going to want to get it if you don't already have it.

Now in my last episode, in which I shared a little bit of my backstory and how I arrived here, you [00:03:00] may have got the impression that I love quotes. And I do. I'm very inspired and motivated by them. I tend to drop a lot of them into my stories on my Instagram account @janelovesdesign. So anything I feel that is positive sends out good vibes gets you motivated, inspired. Then i'll indeed share those.

So today, a lot of these quotes are tidbits from these books. The first one, of course being Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. It's very popular as I've already mentioned. And it may be one you already own. Now I picked this book up several years ago while I was at an airport on route from Toronto to British Columbia. So I really wanted something for the plane ride. 

And it's actually one of my favorite books. The reason for that is I'm one of those people that don't read books in full, or very rarely. I tend to buy a lot of books and then I sort of poke around in them. My dog ear pages, [00:04:00] make some notes. I jump around, read a few chapters here and there. So I don't actually sit down and read a book in full, from cover to cover. 

But this was one of those books that was an exception. It really brought me in and I read it from cover to cover on the plane ride, which is truly very unusual for me. But it just shows you how much I loved this book. It is the essence of creative living and curiosity and i loved the short stories and the inspirational quotes within it. So if you too love, short stories and inspirational quotes, then this is a great read and something that you can go back to over and over again when you're in need of that additional pick me up.

Another book that is extremely popular and well-known and one that I really feel all artists should have on their bookshelf. [00:05:00] Especially, if you're looking to help yourself with self-confidence, self-development finding your way and the path to creativity or spiritual creativity, then I highly recommend The Complete Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. Now I got this book as a gift in 2008. 

And it's again, one that you go back to over and over again, when you're sort of stuck with things, because there are so many tools, there's lots of things to do as far as practice, process and tasks within the book. So things that you actually work on. And an example of some basic tools within the book are 'morning pages'. Julia Cameron mentions this practice where you get up every morning and you just write whatever comes to mind, sort of like a brain dump. And I don't think you necessarily have to do it in the morning [00:06:00] because, I believe everyone's circadian rhythm is different, which means creativity can start and stop at different times throughout the day. For me, any time after 2:00 PM is where I feel the most creative and at night is when I want to sit down and just brain dump everything. 

So the morning pages are essentially meant to be simple. As Julia states in the book, it's the act of moving your hand across the page and writing down whatever comes to mind. Nothing is too petty, too silly, too stupid, or too weird to be included. But they are non-negotiable and you must do them every single day. Three pages every single day. 

And she also mentions in the book that you shouldn't even read them until eight weeks later. So write them down, put them in an envelope and then come back to at that time. And nobody has to read them just you. So in essence is truly like [00:07:00] a journal practice. So whether you decide to do it in the morning, or afternoon or evening, the point is that you do it every single day and no matter your mood. So when you don't feel like doing it is the time that you still need to do that. 

And the reason for these morning pages, they're really a primary tool for creative recovery. 

And over time, this practice will teach you that your mood really doesn't matter. That some of your best creative work gets done on the days where you feel like everything is just going to be plain junk. 

Now the practice continues on from there. It helps with your ability to stop judging yourself and also to feed your inner artist, child. But this is just an example of one of many tools and practices that every artist should undergo. As well again there's a lots of really inspiring and helpful quotes. So another a highly [00:08:00] recommended book all artists should have.

Jane: All right, moving on to book number three, again, another popular title. And I want to share this one with you before we start moving in a direction of more unfamiliar territory. But this book is called steal like an artist and it's by author Austin Kleon. This book came out in 2012. So since then he's had a number of other books in this series, but it's a small book. It's a fast, quick read. And within it, he shares 10 transformative principles that essentially help you to discover your artistic side and to build more of a creative life. 

But one of the key components of this book is the fact he reminds us that nothing is original. Which means we shouldn't feel badly about embracing the influence of others. If we think we're creating something unique, we're not. The key however, is [00:09:00] to remix those things that we admire in other artists work and re-imagine them in our own so that we can discover our own path. 

Now using myself as an example, I have a new course coming out in early 2023 called Fused Harmony. And within it, I'm going to be teaching multiple techniques and ways of incorporating resin, encaustic and metal altogether, all in one. 

Obviously those techniques on their own are nothing unique. Lots of artists create with resin. Lots of artists create within encaustic and many artists create with metal. 

But the way I'm going to be bringing in all of these techniques together are going to be completely different. They're going to be unique to me and my work. Now artists of course are going to be coming into this program. And maybe you will be one of them. Maybe you're excited to take this course from me. 

But obviously [00:10:00] you're going to be there to learn my exact methods. For all of these techniques and the ways I incorporate them into my art. And by learning these skills you're going to be able to take one or a couple of those techniques and place them into your own art, alongside a few of your other favorite artists, ideas and elements. 

So all of those together will allow you to create something unique and special to you. Or at least give you a new direction or jumping off point for your work.

So you shouldn't be fearful about learning from others. If we were then Masters, like Picasso and Mondrian and Rothko, all of those artists would be turning over in their graves because any painting we see on a wall, in a gallery, there's always a reference of another artist within their work. The key is to [00:11:00] incorporate multiple ideas and multiple elements into the work and to add that little something extra that differentiates yourself from somebody else. 

Okay, moving on to number four and the next must read must listen to author. 

Jane: And that is Dr. Brené Brown. You may have heard of her, maybe you watched her viral Ted Talk that she did years ago on vulnerability. And that Ted talk was based on her book, The Power Of Vulnerability. 

The book discusses, how vulnerability is the origin point for innovation, adaptability accountability and visionary leadership. Now, while this book is amazing and I highly recommend it, what I really love most about her is the talk she gave at the annual 99U conference and was titled Why Your Critics Aren't The Ones Who Count. 

And she was [00:12:00] presenting this talk to a room full of creative individuals, artists and designers. All people that we ourselves can relate to. And this talk gets me every single time. I'm always really emotional by the end of it. And I've watched it multiple times. 

She really dives into vulnerability and that without it, you cannot create. And with vulnerability comes fear, self doubt, comparison, anxiety, and uncertainty. So if you're feeling any of those things that I've just mentioned, you really need to search for this talk. It is going to be one of the best things you've ever watched or listened to. So while i suggest getting her book the power of vulnerability please do yourself a favor and look up her talk why your critics aren't the ones who count. 

And by the end of it, I promise you'll believe Brené Brown when she [00:13:00] says vulnerability is also the birth of love, belonging, joy, empathy, creativity and innovation. 

Well, I'm almost to the end of the list, the books I wanted to share with you here today on the podcast. I've covered five authors and their books so far and i have one final book to share even though i actually have 12 on the list that you'll find within the link in the show notes. So if you go to that link you'll find those extra bonus books on self-development and business. But this final one is by author Maria Brophy and it's titled Art Money Success.

Maria has been in the art business for over 20 years and is the agent to her husband, Drew Brophy. 

 And in the book, she shares her own personal stories. Some business deals, successes and failures, but she also shares exercises [00:14:00] and worksheets. Some things that you can apply within your own art business for immediate results. You'll find how you can connect with your right buyers, how to sell art easily and negotiate, license your art, which is one of her specialties. And Maria is actually going to be a guest on an upcoming episode. So if you're interested in licensing your work, then you definitely won't want to miss out on this episode. 

It's also a book you'll continue to use and go back to over and over again. You'll find yourself highlighting sections as well as bookmarking areas. And Maria really knows her stuff. It's very easy to read. It's practical. And great for artists of all levels.

 Well, that is it for today. My friend, I hope some of these titles have sparked interest and intrigue. And I also look forward to hearing from you and you're sharing some of your own favorite books. So don't be a stranger, [00:15:00] jump onto Instagram @janelovesdesign either go to my most recent post or tag me and let me know your most favorite must have book.

 Until next time stay creative and stay curious. Bye for now.

SHOW NOTES:

Link to all 12 books: Janes Book Resources 

SOCIAL:
Jane on Instagram

MAIN WEBSITE:
taelife.com