Strategies to boost creativity, lose the fear of showing your work, start a creative business, understand the rules of the art market… Today we present a selection of 5 books for artists and creatives, full of strategies, tips, resources and real examples. Whether you’re an amateur artist, a professional, a designer or just want to get to know the art world, these 5 books can help you -and a lot-. Let’s get started:
Books for artists and creatives:
1 – Show your work! – Austin Kleon (2014)
In this book, the American writer Austin Kleon presents 10 maxims that will help us to understand, in a simple but forceful way, the most common fears of the artist. Overcoming these fears, the artist must dare to show our work, inviting us to reflect on our own work and communication strategy.
Eschewing the concept of self-promotion, the author breaks with the myth of the solitary genius and his innate talent. The important thing here is to make oneself known, something that requires daring and generosity. Only in this way is it possible to build an audience of our own, with whom we must learn to communicate.
It is undoubtedly one of the most recommendable books for artists and artisans who are just starting out. But also for those who have been working in this field for some time but still have doubts about how to communicate their work or how to approach it to the market. A quick and pleasant read, its content is mainly psychological and empathetic. It is also accompanied by infographics and quotes that will help us to easily understand these concepts.
2.- Don’t Get a Job… Make a Job – Gem Burton (2015)
The economic instability experienced in recent years and the increase in graduates, technicians and specialists has led to a reduction in job offers in the most creative areas, such as art, design and architecture. On this basis, the author Gem Burton invites us to create opportunities for ourselves and stop waiting to be called after sending our CVs.
It brings together inspiring and real strategies, with names and surnames, of pioneers who have decided to start their own professional path in the creative world, in an original and different way, adapting their strategy to the current scenario.
If you have recently graduated from university, are looking for a job or simply you want to start your own career as a creative, this book is for you.
3- The Art of creative thinking – Rod Judkins (2015)
Rod Judkinks (artist, writer and teacher of creative thinking at Central Saint Martins College of Art in London) presents us with a different book, 100% creative. The author has managed to compose a work in which we can follow or jump to the episode we need, according to our interests (similar to a book-game). In this case, creativity and the importance of lateral thinking is the protagonist, where the author will show us various tips and practical strategies to boost our originality in the works. Ideal for young artists, students of all ages and creatives who want to break with the more traditional canons of creation.
4- The artist’s guide to selling work – Annabelle Ruston (2005)
Although the book has some years, this book continues to be a must-have on the sale of art and handmade products. Unlike the previous books we have mentioned, here Annabelle Ruston gives us a series of practical advice on aspects of understanding sales channels and generating new opportunities: online marketing, networking, approaching the world of art galleries, prices, payments, contracts, printing reproductions… Recommended for artists, artisans and creatives.
5- Management of Art Galleries – Magnus Resch (2015)
Magnus Resch’s best seller is one of the best books to understand the art galleries management, explained by someone who has worked in this sector. Giving success stories and real examples, graphs and statistics, Magnus tackles the business model of today’s galleries, the types of sellers and buyers that make up the art market, data on the costs of gallery structure, the evolution of an artist’s professional and commercial career… Without a doubt, a real, street-level perspective that will help us to understand the art market and how to move within it.
We have a selected 5 books for artists and creatives. And if you are looking for more inspiration in the maker field, don’t miss this post.
Do you recommend any other books? Don’t forget to leave a comment.
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