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Archive: Books, books, books…and films, films, films!
Tell us what book you’ve recently read that has inspired or informed you as an artist. And be sure to note what your takeaway was, what did you learn? Why was this book important to you?
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32 Replies
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Can anybody recommend any inspirational and moving art films or documentaries?
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Lily, there is currently a really nice and inspiring documentary about artist Eva Hesse on Netflix streaming. Before watching this documentary, I was not aware of Eva Hesse or her work. She was a very talented and ground-breaking artist/sculptor during the late 50s and into the 60s. Considering all the issues and challenges we are exploring in this course, I highly recommend this documentary. There’s a lot to take away from this film.
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HOW TO DRAW A BUNNY is a great documentary film about the artist Ray Johnson. Also <span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>Ai Wei Wei: Never Sorry</span> kinda blew my mind and is totally inspirational.
For books lately it’s been Celestine Prophesy
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I have not read my favourite book in a couple of decades so I can’t say how it would effect me now. But as a young adult, “My Name is Asher Lev” by Chaim Potok was my favourite book and had a profound effect on my decision to go to art school and pursue my art. At the time I was struggling with art being frivolous and a luxury item for the wealthy when I idealistically felt everyone should be tackling world poverty and unequal global wealth distribution. The fictional book follows a young art prodigy who belongs to an orthodox Jewish community and his coming to terms with pursuing his art. In fact, I wanted to name any future son Chaim after reading it.
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Michal, that’s quite a testimonial. I’m putting this book on my list!
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Wow, what a beautiful story Michal <3 and what a beautiful way to share your gifts xx
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That really speaks to me, Michal. It’ll be interesting to see how you find the book. My theory is that from each inspiring book one takes only the idea one most needs at the time. Years ago I read Scott Peck’s The Road Less Travelled once a year, for three years.. and in the fourth year it didn’t grab me. Guess I had taken from it what I needed.
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I like the sound of that book Michal – I too have had similar struggles with art and wealth in the past and at one time nearly gave up my art degree to do social work for similar reasons. In fact, I ended up working in the field of art and health for over 20 years so it remained close to my heart I guess. I see things differently now but that book sounds like a must! Thanks for sharing – Beverley
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I really should read that book again because I barely remember what it was like, only the impact it had on me. And it wasn’t a conclusive arrow pointing in an obvious direction. It sat more like a French film…a bit dark and ruminating and left you wondering what it was saying about your own life. I read it while I was volunteering in Haiti in primary health and not finding the fulfilment there that I was expecting. Isn’t this what I had always believed we all should be doing? Yet, that call to be an artist…
Then years later I found myself volunteering on the Mercy Ships (a hospital ship in West Africa) in war torn Liberia for a year. This time my partner’s work had brought me there. I was already an artist, but on board I worked as a chef and photographer and writer for the charity. I struggled with the strict rules and roles on board. In the end I broke some rules and sat with patients who had survived 14 years of civil war, child soldiers, rape, etc. I asked simply if I could draw their portraits. They all said yes. I had a chance to authenticate their experiences through sitting with them, giving them my time and focus and listening to their stories. I hope that I offered them some dignity in their long suffering. I gave each of them a full size image of what I had made and then exhibited the originals on the ship for all the crew and again in a small solo show in Canada alongside a lot of the writing I had done while on board. The impact and response was so powerful for me that I knew this was how I could best try (in an extremely small way) to help fix the inequality in the world. The gallery owners in Canada told me they brought their grandchildren to see the show because they thought it was so important for them to see and hear. Several years later a I was invited to take part in an exhibition on war and the body in London, UK, with that series.
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OK. Just got this based on your recommendation … after reading the summary also ;-P
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I just finished “Designing Your Life: How to build a well-lived, joyful life”
It was written by 2 Stanford professors who have been teaching this life design class for years. They bring the same principles to life design that designers use to solve problems. It was interesting, and for anyone who’s feeling “stuck” I think it would be valuable.
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Two years ago I saw the film Mr Turner and was really inspired by his process and the way his work evolved. It made me want to keep exploring and evolving my work, they say it takes more than 10,000 hours to truely master something and this kind of inspiration has been a wonderful driving force behind my art.
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Thank you Mark for sharing, I will check it out!
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Speaking of 10,000 hours…that was from Malcolm Gladwell’s book, “The Outliers”. A great read and one that every artist was quoting from when it came out.
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Thanks Michal, I’ve often wondered where that statement came from
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A few years ago I read a wonderful book called “Your Beautiful Purpose” by Susie Larson. It is coming from a Christian premise so may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it helped me to come out of a numb place back into a sense that I have been born for a purpose – which includes Art! I unearthed a reflective, illustrated book of my own that had been on the cusp of being published 10 years ago and decided to self-publish. My book Abraham’s Stars was officially launched a month ago. The first thing I did was send one to Susie Larson to thank her for her inspiration and she sent me a lovely note in return!
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Wow, that is quite amazing. Good for you. I always think writing and art go hand in hand.
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Thanks Michal. Also, amazing story about the Mercy Ships. I am working out in my mind a way of balancing response to things that just happen in life and not worrying about the money aspect and on the other hand making a business strategy that is very clear on that. I know I need to consider more of the latter – I guess that’s why I am on this course!
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i’m interested in SOAR by TD Jakes. but i don’t know why i’m still looking for confirmation. its like i already know what the book is going to say, JUMP (again)! TODAY! *sigh
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I just finished reading Austin Kleon’s two books: “Steal Like an Artist” & “Show Your Work”. Written in simple language they both have an action plan to get your work out to the world in this day and age.
I’m still reading “Flourish” written by Martin Seligman and it talks about positive psychology and how you can reach your top limit and get the most out of life. Fantastic book so far!
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It is wonderful to get recommendations for so many new art books to read! I am also wondering if anyone has any great podcasts they listen to? Any that they find can be particularly inspiring when creating?
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Just wondering if anyone has read this book and if they felt it gave real world guidance for what we are trying to achieve through this wonderful course with Crista.
Selling Contemporary Art: How to Navigate the Evolving Market by Edward Winkleman-
Read that. I liked it. Helped a lot with my artist statement and elevator pitch.
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I would recommend the book- Start With Why by Simon Sinek. Really great! I am a big fan of audible.com . Then the follow up book – Find Your Why.
I think this book goes along with today’s phone chat on focusing why we do art.
Lastly – the book – The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. Awesome book. Also on audible.com.
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I’m reading a fictional book by Robin Sloan called Sourdough and although it’s about an aspiring baker rather than a artist it’s an inspiring story about following your passion and the amazing journey it can take you in 🙂
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Thank you Mark, you have inspired my next read!
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I adore the Alchemist by Paulo Cohelo and love to read it multiple times per year for its timeless wisdom and poetic/symbolic language. I study the works of Dr. David Hawkins and his work on human consciousness and human evolution.
I LOVED the artist documentary Rivers and Tides about environmental artist Andy Goldsworthy – so well worth watching. I also loved Who’s Afraid of Conceptual Art put out by the BBC. Artistic movies that I love are Faraway, So Close by Wim Wenders and The Fountain starring Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weiss – it’s a visual tour de force.
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Sherri thank you so much for your documentary recommendation. I too LOVE the alchemist!
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Check out this TEDx talk called Steal like and Artist by Kleon (he also has a book others have recommended elsewhere).
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thanks Memet – i watched it! we used to steal each others marketing emails in my corporate days. copy/paste/edit/send
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I find that writers are very good at creative process. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott is one I return to often. She mixes humor with insight
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thanks Doug – i’m going to listen to the audiobook.
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